| Subject | Date Asked |
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| bark on wood furniture | 10/12/2009 |
Q: I was thinking of making some lawn furniture from a birch tree with the bark still on the wood, ...
A: Birch bark is a bit fragile to work with and will come off with any rough handling so be careful ...
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| antique dresser | 10/7/2009 |
Q: I have an antique dresser that doesn't appear to have any drawer slides or guides. There is not ...
A: The simpliest solution to your problem just happens to be the cheapest and easiest. Go grab a bar ...
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| Ikea Birch cabinet | 10/2/2009 |
Q: I have Ikea cabinets, they are birch. They are eight years old. Don't know if they are real ...
A: sorry for the delay in responding, I was away on vacation with no access to email. I was not ...
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| Roll Top desk | 9/26/2009 |
Q: I recently purchased an antique roll top desk for my daughter. The tambour canvas was rotted and I ...
A: What you need is canvas duck or a medium weight canvas sold at marine shop and fabric shops, perhaps ...
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| Table and Chairs | 9/14/2009 |
Q: I recently repainted a room and wanted to re-do my table and chairs to match the new color. My table ...
A: "What do I do? Sand everything again, apply a primer, and then paint it black? what will prevent it ...
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| Kitchen cabinet bottom edges-=dog chew marks | 9/7/2009 |
Q: We have tried wood putty and wood markers but it still does not come out even. Is there such a ...
A: No I don't believe there are...however any decent carpenter should be able to cut and rebuild the ...
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| Cracked Blackwood Sculpture | 9/4/2009 |
Q: Maura, for your answer regarding repairing a broken African Blackwood sculpture. It was excellent ...
A: I am not there to see the crack but your description is pretty good and I am picturing it as I type. ...
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| shiny marks on satin finish wood to remove | 9/3/2009 |
Q: I am trying to get rid of some marks on 'satin' finished wood furniture. The marks are shiny and ...
A: you can also try a little mineral oil but in my humble opinion, you should not be having any issues ...
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| shiny marks on satin finish wood to remove | 9/3/2009 |
Q: I am trying to get rid of some marks on 'satin' finished wood furniture. The marks are shiny and ...
A: I am having a real hard time visualizing the marks you are referring to. My first suggestion would ...
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| Repair pressboard desk - revisited | 8/27/2009 |
Q: Since you answered a question regarding press board desk repair in 2007, there have been ...
A: Here is my take on this and understand it is only my opinion as I don't really attempt any repairs ...
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| paint | 8/25/2009 |
Q: can you mix latex and oil based stain to achieve a finish. I'm having difficulty getting what I ...
A: You don't really give me much info to go on. Ordinarily I would immediately say no. Water and oil ...
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| separation of topcoat when applied | 8/23/2009 |
Q: I am trying to refinish the tabletop of a 1950s mahogany dining table. I am pretty sure it is ...
A: Michele, just a thought but are you applying an oil based product and then applying a water based ...
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| What kind of wood? | 8/10/2009 |
Q: I am refinishing my kitchen cabinets and I am just dying to know what kind of wood I have here. The ...
A: it is extremely difficult to determine what type of woods your cabinets are composed of with out ...
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| rosewood sculpture | 8/6/2009 |
Q: I just returned from Tanzania where I purchased a large rosewood elephant sculpture. Unfortunately, ...
A: Good morning, I envy you your trip to Tanzania, that must have been fabulous. Now as to your ...
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| stripping | 8/4/2009 |
Q: I have started stripping a table that was in my grandfather's house when he died in 1989. I think it ...
A: Home depot and lowes carry different products depending on what part of the country you are in. Here ...
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| stripping | 8/2/2009 |
Q: I have started stripping a table that was in my grandfather's house when he died in 1989. I think it ...
A: Depending on just how damaged the table is, you may have some success. The first trick I would try ...
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| Tabletop Scratch | 7/31/2009 |
Q: HELP! I have a solid wood Bernhardt Table which has about a 4 inch scratch thru the veneer. I have ...
A: I wish everyone did that. You say that you already filled the scratch with wood filler. Be sure to ...
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| Marks on white washed pine table | 7/17/2009 |
Q: I have a high end, hand-painted, white washed pine dining room table by Pulaski. I took the table ...
A: Very nice table! From your description of the problem, it is probably best to see if a light sanding ...
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| what grit sandpaper to use | 7/4/2009 |
Q: I just bought a used dresser (could be antique) but has a few layers of paint on it want to know ...
A: You are going to want to start with a harsh abrasive, which in sandpaper terms is the lower number. ...
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| Haze on rosewood dining furniture | 5/28/2009 |
Q: I was told to just use a damp cloth to clean our Rosewood dining table and chairs. The set is about ...
A: It sounds as if the protective coating has broken down and some moisture has seeped in. Short of ...
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| refinish cabinets that have lacquer | 4/28/2009 |
Q: I have new cabinets (natural hickory) that I would like to warm the color up and darken some. Do I ...
A: You say these are new cabinets so I am assuming that the clear coat is reasonably fresh and in good ...
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| Re staining | 4/22/2009 |
Q: I have a ten year old computer desk that is stained in dark cherry. It has some scratches and worn ...
A: I know you don't want to hear it but the best thing to do is to completely sand and restain, ...
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| top of office desk | 4/14/2009 |
Q: I have an oak office desk from the 1930s-1940s. The top is covered with a black rubber type of ...
A: I personally am not familiar with a rubber filler that would have been used in conjunction with ...
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| refinishing kitchen cabinets | 3/25/2009 |
Q: I have nice cherry cabinets. They are about 15 yrs old and in good shape. The varnish has become ...
A: Unfortunately there is no easy answer here. You can attempt to very lightly sand off all the old ...
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| Kitchen Cabinets | 3/16/2009 |
Q: We moved into brand new house 2 months ago.I have beech raised panel cabinets with Cherry stain. The ...
A: Miniwax, Varathane or Epifanes(available at Marine stores) are all reliable brands of polyurethane. ...
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| Kitchen Cabinets | 3/14/2009 |
Q: We moved into brand new house 2 months ago.I have beech raised panel cabinets with Cherry stain. The ...
A: The only way to stop the damage is to stop the water from penetrating into the wood. You are going ...
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| Drying Wood With Bark On | 12/25/2008 |
Q: Are there any secrets to drying wood with the bark left on to make furniture? I'm looking at using ...
A: Rustic style furniture is popular with alot of people. As the woodworker there are a few things to ...
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| Lacquer over particle | 12/18/2008 |
Q: I have an old bedroom set (1994) it's lacquer over particle board would like to put something over ...
A: I would only attempt to upholster this furniture if you know what you are doing. Or else you will ...
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| painting solid wood furniture | 11/7/2008 |
Q: I am desperate. I just bought a new spray gun (Kobalt small gravity feed) and am painting a vintage ...
A: Is it possible that the primer, which is thicker than paint, has somehow dried inside the tubes or ...
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| Roll Top Desk | 11/6/2008 |
Q: How can I make the roll top go up & down smoothly? I've had the desk for many years & it's always ...
A: Assuming your rolltop desk was made properly and once previously worked smoothly, you should take a ...
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| refinishing front door | 10/24/2008 |
Q: I am in the process of stripping my front door, and it appears as though some of the wood is going ...
A: Personally I advocate sanding rather than chemical strippers. Much safer and actually faster. It is ...
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| Regarding Kitchen cabinets | 10/20/2008 |
Q: we have oak wood wall cabinets in the kitchen, They have used drywall screws to keep them in place. ...
A: I have done a bit of research on your problem and learned a few things along the way. The first is ...
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| Is there an easy way to strip wood cabinets? | 10/19/2008 |
Q: We have light wood cabinets, with a shiny stain on them... my husband is using citristrip stripping ...
A: Yes you may go directly to sanding if your cabinets are solid wood. I myself prefer sanding over ...
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| Need help cleaning kitchen cabinets | 10/15/2008 |
Q: Our house is 30 years old. Over the years, a dirty, greasy grime has built up on the kitchen ...
A: Kitchens cabinets pick up grease and grime easily due to their location and function. Before using ...
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| veneer table top | 10/14/2008 |
Q: i have a oak table with oak veneer top the finish is dull and worn can the top be sanded and ...
A: Veneer is a very thin sheet of wood which can quite easily be sanded through. The best chance to ...
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| cabinets with black walnut stain | 10/14/2008 |
Q: What do I need to do to cover these up is it Kilz or primer and is there any sanding involved , ...
A: i understand you wanting to stay away from sanding but sometimes it is necessary. Generally, you ...
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| repairing pine paneling | 10/13/2008 |
Q: Our seven month old boxer-bulldog mix dog has chewed the paneling on either side of the door going ...
A: Unfortunately I can not see the damage to your pine paneling but I fear yours may not be an easy ...
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| Dinning room table | 10/12/2008 |
Q: Sir After finishing dinning room table,with watco wipe on varnish Would you use any polish on it ? ...
A: The best polish to use is no polish. Just wipe the dust with a damp cloth and use some elbow grease ...
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| Regarding Kitchen cabinets | 10/9/2008 |
Q: we have oak wood wall cabinets in the kitchen, They have used drywall screws to keep them in place. ...
A: You have not given enough information to adequately answer your question. Are the drywall screws ...
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| Dinning room table | 10/8/2008 |
Q: Sir After finishing dinning room table,with watco wipe on varnish Would you use any polish on it ? ...
A: Unless Watco has come out with a brand new finish that I'm not familiar with, what you are referring ...
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| cane seat repair | 10/7/2008 |
Q: I have a bentwood chair that needs a replacement cane seat. Can I buy one (15 1/2 ") that I can ...
A: Yes, you and a few simple tools are quite capable of replacing your cane seat. First, you will have ...
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| Water damaged veneer on dining room table | 10/3/2008 |
Q: Last Saturday I had friends for dinner and I had used small pumpkins with a cutout for Mums and I ...
A: I am not in your area and can not help you with a particular name but you will need to look for a ...
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| Kitchen Cabinets | 10/2/2008 |
Q: I am having a house built and I would like to know the difference between oak and maple. I have ...
A: This is a difficult question to answer as there are many diffent types of both maple and oak. Each ...
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| Dinning room table | 9/25/2008 |
Q: Sir ,I am going to refinish dinning room table (cherry wood,about 50yrs.old)i am going to use watco ...
A: I would first make sure the surface is well sanded begin using a three step process with the first ...
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| cedar lined chiffarobe | 9/22/2008 |
Q: I am refinishing a set of bedroom furniture (waterfall maple, circa 1945) . The tall piece has a ...
A: You can lightly sand your cedar to restore the cedar aroma. There is also "cedar spray"(available ...
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| antiquing cherry wood | 8/27/2008 |
Q: I know you aren't a fan of painting over cherry wood, but my husband and I made a head and ...
A: Looking at your pic helps alot. I like what you are trying to do. I believe you can skip the primer ...
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| antiquing cherry wood | 8/25/2008 |
Q: I know you aren't a fan of painting over cherry wood, but my husband and I made a head and ...
A: Sorry to hear about your disaster. Don't you hate when things like that happen after doing so much ...
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| kitchen cabinets | 8/22/2008 |
Q: I was told today by a friend that TSP would be a great way to clean my cabinets. My question is. ...
A: TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE is a very strong dangerous substance to use. TSP is a strong cleaner at the ...
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| ashly furnature queen sized head board | 8/4/2008 |
Q: i recently moved my head board out of my room i hate useing it so i stored it in my attac but my ...
A: Sorry to hear about your headboard. If it is solid wood, there is some hope. I am not there to see ...
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| Painting over Pine wood | 7/28/2008 |
Q: I am trying to paint over a Pine wood with a natural finish so that it will match my cherry wood ...
A: Cherry wood when raw is a whiteish wood which will age to a light reddish, close to the color of a ...
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| How to refinish a sticky tabletop? | 7/9/2008 |
Q: I bought my grandchildren the same zebra table, one in Las Vegas and one in Wilmington, DE. The ...
A: I have given your question some consideration this afternoon and done a bit of research. I am ...
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| Painting cherry wood furniture | 7/2/2008 |
Q: I have a dresser and night stands from the early '50 that are made of cherry wood. I have recently ...
A: As someone who works with wood, I sure do hate to see its natural beauty covered up with paint but ...
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| drying wood | 5/25/2008 |
Q: I just fell and milled a white oak. How should I dry it? I already placed it in a sunny location ...
A: The trick to drying this wood is to keep it dry and out of direct sunlight. To minimize warping, ...
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| Maple vs. Birch | 5/22/2008 |
Q: I paid to have my kitchen cabinets made of maple (inside too) and just found out that some of the ...
A: I am distressed by this follow up question. Why were these brand new cabinets left out in the rain? ...
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| Maple vs. Birch | 5/21/2008 |
Q: I paid to have my kitchen cabinets made of maple (inside too) and just found out that some of the ...
A: The problem with any agreement between homeowner and contractor is that both must have a clear ...
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| Resizing table holes | 5/18/2008 |
Q: I am refinishing a wood kitchen table, but the holes that hold the top to the legs are stripped. I ...
A: yes that would be the correct thing to do. Use a good wood glue like Titebond 2. Allow the dowels ...
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| Furniture refinish | 5/16/2008 |
Q: I would like to touch up some furniture in our baby nursery. We purchased a white finished crib and ...
A: The purpose of the first sanding is just to get the wood ready for the paint, in your choice of ...
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| Furniture refinish | 5/15/2008 |
Q: I would like to touch up some furniture in our baby nursery. We purchased a white finished crib and ...
A: The word you are looking for is distressed. there are many easy ways to distress furniture. first ...
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| Refinishing new Lyptus hardwood floor | 5/3/2008 |
Q: I just had a hardwood floor (lyptus wood) installed in my upstairs hallway. Unfortunately, I do not ...
A: My answer to your question really depends on exactly what your floor is composed of. If it is real ...
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| dining room chairs | 4/11/2008 |
Q: I have six antique dining room chairs, and the bottom of the seat cusion (the wood part) is forming ...
A: For the most part, anything made of wood can be repaired with either a good wood glue(titebond 2 or ...
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| kitchen table | 4/2/2008 |
Q: My wood kitchen table just had a stain and light finish,and now the finish is coming off.I would ...
A: First thing I would do is to sand down the table top. Make sure tabletop is level and legs are ...
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| White Birch Bark | 3/7/2008 |
Q: I have been trying to locate some white birch bark to built some shelves and decorate with. I live ...
A: I am not familiar with any stores in Tennessee but here is a good place to order from ...
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| yellowing natural maple finish | 2/10/2008 |
Q: I have nine year old Wellborne kitchen cabinets that have a natural maple finish.The exterior of the ...
A: Kitchen cabinets are exposed to lots of darkening agents including sunlight, cigarette smoke, ...
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| stair treats & lifting hardware | 2/4/2008 |
Q: I have beautiful stair treads purchased, and was ready to install until I saw something on HGTV. No ...
A: What you're suggesting doesn't seem difficult to do, and what a nifty idea at that. I'm not ...
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| preventing cracking in carvings | 2/1/2008 |
Q: i recently returned from africa,and all the wod carvings and bowls have begun to crack due to the ...
A: first thing to do is to put them into a humid part of your home, basement or garage and let them sit ...
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| Fig Oil * paper plates!!! | 1/3/2008 |
Q: ..My 18 mon old pulled a plug in scnet from the wall and laid it on my mahogony finished solid wood ...
A: The whitish steam marks from the paper plates is fairly simple. First try heating the area with a ...
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| heat spot on wood dinning room table | 12/29/2007 |
Q: placed dish on table and it left white ring tried Mayo etc can you help
A: I don't know what you've tried besides the Mayo but I will offer a few suggestions. If the table is ...
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| refinishing cabinets | 12/12/2007 |
Q: What is the average coast for refinishing kitchen cabinet doors? What do people charge per door? i ...
A: the average cost of cabinet refinishing is roughly $200 per cabinet with the national average price ...
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| gel stain usage | 11/29/2007 |
Q: I recently bought a new dining room set with a distressed blackish finish to it. i kept my old ...
A: Gel stain is not paint. Stain must be able to penetrate into the wood in order for the wood to hold ...
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| Schooling | 11/21/2007 |
Q: I've been working in finance for the past 15 years and am planning one changing to a career in ...
A: I would imagine that a one-year course would teach you the basics. There is a lot to be said for ...
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| repair pressboard desk | 10/22/2007 |
Q: we bought a computer desk made of pressboard and no sooner did we get home, the pullout drawer ...
A: My first impulse is to tell you to bring it back and get a new one. That is probably the best ...
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| woodworks | 10/22/2007 |
Q: I WANT TO PUT SOME DRAINING GROOVES IN MY BUTCHERS BLOCK KITCHEN WORKTOP WHICH IS ALREADY FITTED. ...
A: I am assuming that when you say the butchers block is already fitted, that it can't be removed from ...
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| White cloudy stain | 10/16/2007 |
Q: It is very nice finishing table -- few scratches due to not used any cover protecter-- need to fix ...
A: mahogany- reddish-brown to brownish black, Maple- creamy white to whitish yellow(this holds true as ...
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| wood selection | 10/14/2007 |
Q: I'm trying to build an entertainment center. I recently enrolled in a woodshop class and we have to ...
A: First, in my home depot and lowes, the furniture grade wood is one aisle over from the plywood and ...
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| wood selection | 10/13/2007 |
Q: I'm trying to build an entertainment center. I recently enrolled in a woodshop class and we have to ...
A: Unless the plywood is something the instructor is requesting you use, I would wonder why plywood and ...
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| coving oval shape | 10/12/2007 |
Q: I'm uncertain if I even used the right term as a subject. I have a predicament with regards to ...
A: Carving an oval bowl. You say you don't want to hand carve it, what power tools would I use to ...
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| Clean cabinets | 10/4/2007 |
Q: I have natural cherry wood cabinets (about 7 years old) and noticed they need to be cleaned...not ...
A: Kitchens cabinets pick up grease and grime easily due to their location and function. Before using ...
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| mix water base prime with oil base paint | 9/17/2007 |
Q: Am I able to mix water base primer with oil base paint on my kitchen cupboard door.
A: The standard rule is water with water and oil with oil. However there are certain times when for ...
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| Wood Lathe | 9/6/2007 |
Q: hopefully you can help me out...My fiancee has mentioned to me that he would like to get into wood ...
A: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005V5NM/ref=nosim/19535375-20 check this site out to see ...
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| warped wood-- dresser drawers | 9/1/2007 |
Q: I recently acquired an antique wood dresser. I think it had been stored in a garage, and, due to ...
A: You don't say where you're from as climate may be the issue as it has been moved. Warped wood can ...
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| hidden or "secret" doors | 8/18/2007 |
Q: My wife and I live in an old church that was remodeled into a home. It still has the steeple on it ...
A: Simply do a search for "hidden doors". There are plenty of sites out there. Most are for hidden ...
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| building a kitchen peninsula with existing cabinets | 8/13/2007 |
Q: My husband and I are interested in adding a peninsula to our kitchen. We have white washed oak ...
A: If it were me, I would try to get as close a match as possible when buying a new cabinet for the ...
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| LAZY SUSAN IN BASE CABINET | 8/9/2007 |
Q: Our house was built around 1950. The corner cabinet in the kitchen has a "Lazy Susan." If I had to ...
A: You will have to remove the top piece somehow, even if it means breaking it and then having a new ...
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| unique wood carving | 8/5/2007 |
Q: I was at a friend's cottage in the northern part of Michigan. Attached to a birch tree was a hand ...
A: This is whats known as a "weather stick" popular in the new england region of the U.S. simple to ...
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| yellowed finish on old furniture | 7/20/2007 |
Q: I have just inherited a 30 year old bedroom suite. It is/was finished in sort of buttermilk and ...
A: You can try a very light application of denatured alcohol. Use in a well ventilated room and wear ...
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| Staining ugly oak cabinets | 7/9/2007 |
Q: Since I can't seem to get ANYONE to quote me on refinishing my kitchen cabinets, which are 14 years ...
A: I personally had my cabinets re surfaced a few years ago, though it did cost a pretty penny. They ...
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| mahgaony leaded gladd break front 1890 | 6/28/2007 |
Q: i refinish a magnificent breakfront- they brought it to my home in the rain when it was done and ...
A: Bowing or warping is caused by either water or humidity placing stresses on the structure of the ...
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| Sealing Cedar Siding | 6/23/2007 |
Q: After 40 years we just replaced the cedar siding on our house with new cedar siding. We want to seal ...
A: Red and yellow cedar contains a lot of natural preservatives which if left exposed, will eventually ...
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| What kind of wood? | 6/8/2007 |
Q: I have a piano that my parents bought in 1977. She can't remember if it is Pecan or Walnut. How can ...
A: the main difference between pecan and walnut is the color. Pecan is a light brown wood with dark ...
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| Wood Nightstand | 5/30/2007 |
Q: Is there any way to get superglue off my wood nightstand?
A: I would like to know a bit more about the nightstand. what type of wood and what type of finish, if ...
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