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| Subject | Date Asked |
| sitka spruce | 2/12/2012 |
| Q: I have a sitka spruce, I understand it has value as in its use for guitars, violins etc. It is about ... A: Hey Glenn, I would contact a sawmill regarding this tree...unfortunately the labor involved in ... | |
| painting | 2/11/2012 |
| Q: Can I paint a mohogany dining room table,successfully.I want a shabby chic look and I use to ... A: you can paint anything, but paint is not a very durable finish for a dining table, and it's ... | |
| using TSP | 2/4/2012 |
| Q: I have a 1940's chest of drawers that originally was painted with an oil base paint and years later ... A: I am not a fan of using TSP solution to wash down wooden furniture.....your real problem lies under ... | |
| Shortening a table | 2/3/2012 |
| Q: I want to shorten a long coffee table into one or two square side tables by cutting it in half. The ... A: you'll have to re-cut the trim to be able to have the mitered corners, and you'll need enough trim ... | |
| Faded rosewood dining table | 2/1/2012 |
| Q: I have a +/- 40 year old Danish dining table with chairs and matching chest w/ drawers. The table is ... A: Yeah, I'm afraid it has contaminated the surface with a non drying oil,and now you really must strip ... | |
| Dining Room Table Refinishing | 1/29/2012 |
| Q: After sanding the finish to eliminate some water rings I applied some Polyurethane (gloss) to bring ... A: what type of wood?...it's likely that since you've only applied one coat, it sank int the wood, and ... | |
| Painting over veneer | 1/27/2012 |
| Q: My daughter bought 3 pieces of 1930's waterfall bedroom furniture and is thinking of painting it- it ... A: the Watco is really an oil modified varnish and after a couple of weeks will be cured enough to ... | |
| Faded rosewood dining table | 1/27/2012 |
| Q: I have a +/- 40 year old Danish dining table with chairs and matching chest w/ drawers. The table is ... A: Danish oil is a term used for a penetrating oil finish that's comprised of various modified oils, ... | |
| Painting stained Brookhaven Cabinets | 1/24/2012 |
| Q: I read a response from you in 2008 regarding painting Woodmode cabinets. We are remodeling a home ... A: you can paint them, but it's not the greatest idea. The modern, catalyzed finishes used on kitchen ... | |
| making lacquer shine | 1/20/2012 |
| Q: I want to reinvigorate a dining table, Common contemporary piece. Can I use Danish oil or rub on ... A: neither of those would be a good idea over lacquer.Only lacquer should be applied over lacquer...If ... | |
| Bathroom cabinetry | 1/17/2012 |
| Q: I'm remodeling my bathroom and have decided to build my own wall cabinet and vanity. My questions ... A: Hey Jose, MDF is NOT something I would recommend for ANY cabinetry, especially in a bathroom or ... | |
| Refinishing Staircase | 1/16/2012 |
| Q: currently I am stripping my 100 year old staircase. The project is going well and the end is now in ... A: Hey Tim...I don't think you're missing any techniques....especially on a 100 year old ... | |
| Rosewood Furniture | 1/14/2012 |
| Q: Greg, I recently purchased a rosewood cabinet. It is stained and oiled and easy to look after on the ... A: is this new furniture? It's likely Tung oil and it can take months to fully cure. You could wipe ... | |
| Mineral spirits | 1/14/2012 |
| Q: I would like to know is it ok to wipe down my cabinet doors with mineral spirits, that may have ... A: that lacquer will not provide very good protection for kitchen cabinets. The Minwax polyurethane in ... | |
| Wood lightning | 1/13/2012 |
| Q: Can I lighten old teak coffee tables, to fit in with my oak furniture? A: ..not likely, they're just too different. Teak will oxidize and change with exposure to UV as well, ... | |
| Mineral spirits | 1/11/2012 |
| Q: I would like to know is it ok to wipe down my cabinet doors with mineral spirits, that may have ... A: ..it could affect the stain...it depends on what stain you have used, how well it dried, etc....it ... | |
| Scented Sachet package damaged dining room table | 1/10/2012 |
| Q: While unpacking gifts from a Christmas trip, I placed two sachet packages (approx. 4"x6")on my ... A: how long did you leave these on the table?...sounds like they have damaged the finish rather badly, ... | |
| Church rafters | 1/6/2012 |
| Q: What an answer!! You seems so knowledgeable! I want to stay in touch with you. Tell me how! Do ... A: polymerization is basically the chemical reaction that happens in a coating as it dries, when many ... | |
| knotty pine walls | 12/31/2011 |
| Q: Our knotty pine walls are lighter where there are pictures hung and behind furniture. I am selling ... A: there really isn't much you can do...Pine is famous for this, (and other woods, to an extent, too), ... | |
| Cabinet hardware | 12/24/2011 |
| Q: I need to replace my corner kitchen appliance garage door. The original door was a tambour door. The ... A: The garage can be removed...but it might be a large task, requiring you to remove some of the ... | |
| Cabinet hardware | 12/24/2011 |
| Q: I need to replace my corner kitchen appliance garage door. The original door was a tambour door. The ... A: I'm not aware of any hardware that would allow you to do this type of retrofit...the tambour track ... | |
| italian kitchen finish | 12/18/2011 |
| Q: We are a custom cabinet shop and do our own finishing, all solvent based. On a current job, I have ... A: Hey Pete, I have seen this type of finish from Europe, and while I think you're correct on the ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 12/16/2011 |
| Q: came home the other day to find that my dog had chewed the corners off the base cabinets in my ... A: no easy fix I'm afraid...is it a light finish, dark finish??..a light finish will be a lot easier to ... | |
| Refinishing water stained antique furniture | 12/16/2011 |
| Q: I was given two pieces of early 1900's furniture from my grandparents after their home got hit by a ... A: you really need to strip the pieces with chemical stripper, especially one like the Jasco semi paste ... | |
| Wood repair/restore | 12/11/2011 |
| Q: I know this is not directly related to furniture, but it is about wood, and I was so impressed by ... A: Hey Rick, looks like water is getting behind the trim,and/or being wicked up via the end grain, and ... | |
| kitchen table | 12/10/2011 |
| Q: Hey Greg! I got a new kitchen table about a year ago...it is black, seats 8 with leaf. Some of it ... A: everyone thinks it's easy to refinish furniture well...now you see that it isn't...sorry you had to ... | |
| Wood vs. Superior Laminate Finish | 12/9/2011 |
| Q: In light of your excellent explanation of what a Superior Laminate Finish is I was wondering your ... A: Hey Jack...I'm not sure I'd characterize modern wood as inferior on all counts...but construction ... | |
| wood finish | 12/8/2011 |
| Q: I make a tool out of scrap wood I call a slabber for my job in the tissue industry. It has a tapered ... A: Hey Steve, a catalyzed lacquer/varnish ...sprayed on would be the smoothest, most durable finish, ... | |
| Trisodium Phosphate | 12/8/2011 |
| Q: I am rent a house that has disgusting grime on the kitchen cabinets that I could literally scrape ... A: I was referring to the whole job...TSP is "old" chemistry, and because you mix it with water..(how ... | |
| Trisodium Phosphate | 12/7/2011 |
| Q: I am rent a house that has disgusting grime on the kitchen cabinets that I could literally scrape ... A: if the cabinet bases are constructed that way, then the doors are likely vinyl veneer over particle ... | |
| Finishing wine barrel furniture | 12/6/2011 |
| Q: I am creating furniture from reclaimed wine barrels. The inside of these barrels is stained by the ... A: That's good news...you might want to try an Acrylic Urethane..(waterborne). They dry very quickly, ... | |
| Finishing wine barrel furniture | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: I am creating furniture from reclaimed wine barrels. The inside of these barrels is stained by the ... A: sounds like an interesting project. Any place that's charred, is going to be pretty fragile, and ... | |
| Very dry wooden animals | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: I have 2 almost lifesized wooden animals (puma and lion) that were made in Brazil. I moved several ... A: this is my first question from Iraq! Unfortunately, this type of climate is very hard on wooden ... | |
| Superior Laminate Finish | 11/28/2011 |
| Q: I am in the process to creating a home office. In shopping for office furniture I have been seeing ... A: usually this means some type of plastic, Melamine...thermofoil or other high tech material on an MDF ... | |
| wood ceiling/floor | 11/28/2011 |
| Q: I have a wood burning stove that i heat with wood floors and ceilings in the same room. Do I need to ... A: .the only way you can "protect" the wood is to closely monitor the humidity levels in the space with ... | |
| Refinishing oak table top | 11/25/2011 |
| Q: I am refinishing an oak dining room table that is about 35 yrs old. I stripped all the old finish ... A: I bet your sandpaper is clogging fast, especially after only 4-6 hours dry time...you say 'thin' ... | |
| Refinishing oak table top | 11/25/2011 |
| Q: I am refinishing an oak dining room table that is about 35 yrs old. I stripped all the old finish ... A: Eventually the grain will be filled, but by that time you'll have an 1/8" of poly on it. The pore ... | |
| Refinishing oak table top | 11/25/2011 |
| Q: I am refinishing an oak dining room table that is about 35 yrs old. I stripped all the old finish ... A: Hey Don, 4-6hrs. is not enough time between coats, you should wait at least overnight (12hrs.+), and ... | |
| warped railing | 11/24/2011 |
| Q: Greg I have a railing in my home between the front room and the entrance, I guess as a safety and ... A: Hey Bud, you'll likely need to replace it, as if the screws aren't enough to hold it, you can't ... | |
| clear finish on oak cabinets | 11/22/2011 |
| Q: To freshen up our oak kitchen cabinets doors, I first cleaned with Murphys oil soap and light steel ... A: unfortunately your method of "freshening up" is not a good one....the Murphy's will leave a residue ... | |
| oak | 11/21/2011 |
| Q: first used wire brush to open pores. then used 1 coat general finish dark brown. proceeded with ... A: Shellac flakes do have to be mixed....but you can look for this product: ... | |
| Staning a wood front door | 11/19/2011 |
| Q: The subject is a beautiful, solid wood front door to our home. It is 12 years old and needs ... A: ..it really depends on what condition the finish is in...it's always better to strip off a failed ... | |
| Dried Out Cabinets | 11/18/2011 |
| Q: I have two questions. 1)We purchased cherry cabinets for our bonus room which I use as a pottery ... A: the first thing I would do is to wash them with some warm soapy water and hand dry them with clean ... | |
| oak | 11/17/2011 |
| Q: first used wire brush to open pores. then used 1 coat general finish dark brown. proceeded with ... A: you're filling the pores with that finish schedule....a waterborne Dye stain and a thinned, single ... | |
| oak | 11/14/2011 |
| Q: I just heard that after the molding was done they were taking it to a wood finisher. Would the red ... A: Thought I answered this...but don't see the answer...you could use white Oak, but it is more ... | |
| oak | 11/14/2011 |
| Q: I just heard that after the molding was done they were taking it to a wood finisher. Would the red ... A: Often this type of crown molding is done for a special order...hence the reason it may already be ... | |
| remove formica | 11/13/2011 |
| Q: Most of the wood work and cabinets in my home are covered in formica.My home was built in the ... A: I know of no way to completely remove the glue residue...especially if it was contact cement...the ... | |
| ceruse | 11/9/2011 |
| Q: I recently saw a remodeling show where they used ceruse to oak crown molding and would like to give ... A: Hey Ed, Cerused Oak or Limed Oak is a nice look, but there are several ways to achieve it, and with ... | |
| refinishing ash table and chairs | 11/9/2011 |
| Q: I have a hand carved ash formal dining table and chairs. Currently, it has no stain, just a clear ... A: sorry about the late reply, we had no power here for a week..this type of work takes skill and ... | |
| staining new mahogany door | 11/9/2011 |
| Q: We selected a mahogany door for our new home. The builder uses Minwax stain. What is the best ... A: Hey Sam, sorry about the late reply...Minwax is an interior stain, not a good choice for a front ... | |
| Maintenance of dining table surface | 10/31/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased a dining/kitchen table made of white oak from North Carolina and finished with ... A: I would not let a Carpenter do this, unless he can demonstrate proficiency in this area...a Cabinet ... | |
| Maintenance of dining table surface | 10/24/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased a dining/kitchen table made of white oak from North Carolina and finished with ... A: A wax finish can be problematic with kids, as it does not offer as much protection as other ... | |
| Waterfall Vanity | 10/21/2011 |
| Q: We have a (1947 written on the mirror back) waterfall 5 drawer vanity. The mirror is rectangular ... A: Hey Lynton...it sounds to me like this mirror is from a larger piece like a dresser...and not from ... | |
| refinishing laminated furniture | 10/17/2011 |
| Q: I have sanded down a piece of furniture that is laminated. Opps I already painted it with latex ... A: was it plastic laminate?...or just a wood veneer?...it should be ok, and you can clear coat it ... | |
| desk material/finish | 10/16/2011 |
| Q: I've read that office/computer desks, solid wood is best, then veneers, then laminate, and that ... A: Hey Skip, there are many variations on the theme as you explain it...."solid wood and wood veneers" ... | |
| tambour door | 10/14/2011 |
| Q: My original door does not use canvas backing but it appears to be more like a paper backing. Is ... A: I have never encountered one with a paper like backing...is this a "name" kitchen from a major ... | |
| Furniture finish | 10/14/2011 |
| Q: We purchased unfinished salvage wood furniture from Restoration Hardware including a dinning room ... A: yes, some of those are wax finishes, and I would caution you about over waxing as well. 2 -3 times a ... | |
| kitchen cabnitry rejuvination | 10/11/2011 |
| Q: I am wondering what I can do to rejuvenate the look of my oak kitchen cabinets. They are not in bad ... A: Any cabinet or furniture painting job is basically the same...thorough cleaning of the surfaces with ... | |
| cabinet sagging/separating from top | 10/10/2011 |
| Q: I have a beautiful arched upper cabinet grouping (2 longer outer cabinets, 2 shorter ones in middle, ... A: I would immediately unload the cabinet and take it down to assess the issue...sounds like it is ... | |
| painting cabinets | 9/27/2011 |
| Q: Our home is almost 23 years old and all the cabinet (kitchen, utility, bathrooms) are Oak. They are ... A: have you seen the Rustoleum Cabinet transformation kits?...I agree that primer and latex is not the ... | |
| kitchen cabnitry rejuvination | 9/26/2011 |
| Q: I am wondering what I can do to rejuvenate the look of my oak kitchen cabinets. They are not in bad ... A: it's quite common to get a lot of advice from people who mean well, but most of it is wrong. Modern ... | |
| Top coating a beautiful desk | 9/22/2011 |
| Q: I have just finished stripping, sanding and staining a beautiful desk. I am no sure what to use as ... A: Hey Dale, no...the wipe on Gel urethane is recoatable...you'd just need to clean it, perhaps scuff ... | |
| Top coating a beautiful desk | 9/19/2011 |
| Q: I have just finished stripping, sanding and staining a beautiful desk. I am no sure what to use as ... A: Hey Dale, some of that will depend on your skill level. A wipe on urethane is one of the easiest and ... | |
| wood furniture cracking | 9/19/2011 |
| Q: I have read various answers pretaining to timber, not properly dried, but the cracking has occurred ... A: "Reasonably sure" isn't a good way to be....especially when using solid wood that's been stored ... | |
| Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing | 9/15/2011 |
| Q: I am in the middle of using Rust-oleum's Cabinet Transformations, and have run into a problem. I ... A: .I think you're over applying the bond coat...I don't believe you need "complete" coverage, the same ... | |
| wood furniture cracking | 9/15/2011 |
| Q: I have read various answers pretaining to timber, not properly dried, but the cracking has occurred ... A: it likely has a lot to do with the air conditioning, which as you probably know, is also ... | |
| door knobs | 9/11/2011 |
| Q: my name is Brad. I need a door know for a very old and thin door. every door knob I have tried is ... A: Hey Brad...the picture you sent sure looks like 1 3/8"....not 1 1/8".....check this site here: ... | |
| Antique Dresser Stops or Glides | 9/10/2011 |
| Q: I am restoring an antique dresser and pulled out old rusty 2" x 1" objects that prevented the ... A: I think I've encountered these type of things before,there were many variations on the theme... but ... | |
| variaions in finish | 9/5/2011 |
| Q: We have maple cabinets with a white pickle finish there are noticiable color differences what is the ... A: Hey George, there's really no 'acceptable' standard...especially because as wood ages, it oxidizes, ... | |
| Glider Rocking Chair squeaks | 9/3/2011 |
| Q: I have taken the chair apart, sprayed every connection with WD-40. Stopped squeak briefly. Took ... A: Hey Jan...this can be very frustrating, especially because the squeaking can be coming from the ... | |
| Gumwood Window Sills | 9/1/2011 |
| Q: I have original Gum Wood moldings and trim in my 80 year old house in the Boston area. The window ... A: Hey Ed, tough to really advise you without knowing a little more about their condition.They likely ... | |
| high quality furniture polish | 9/1/2011 |
| Q: I bought a furniture set in a chocolate brown finish. The manufacturer recommends to clean ... A: darker furniture will show streaks more than lighter finishes...and you should really only need to ... | |
| Press board | 8/24/2011 |
| Q: i have a really nice Kathy Ireland press board / veneer bedroom set, i knew nothing about press ... A: There is really no way to restore this type of furniture, short of covering the horizontal surfaces ... | |
| vilas bedroom suit | 8/21/2011 |
| Q: I have 2 huge vilas bedroom suites from the early 1970's. One in eggshell with gold piping and one ... A: if your goal is to sell it, I would leave it as is. Painting over an existing finish, (probably ... | |
| orange/red tone on pine cabinets | 8/21/2011 |
| Q: I have kitchen cabinets that are from the 70's made of knotty pine. They are very orangey and dated. ... A: the only way to even hope to change them would be to chemically strip the old finish off with ... | |
| painting table and chairs | 8/20/2011 |
| Q: I have recently purchased a round oak pedestal table with 1 leaf. It was very cheap because it has ... A: Hey Marsha, it's 2011....pretty much anything goes as far as colors, combining styles,etc ... | |
| Dark stain on cherry dining room table | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: I have a solid cherry dining room table, it is the natural color with a danish oil finish, no ... A: That actually doesn't look too bad...but Cherry is a finicky thing, and changes color over ... | |
| Wood staining | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: I have a butcher block kitchen cart that I was wondering whether I could sand it and then stain with ... A: what color are we talking??...most stains are not non toxic, but a brown dye stain can be made with ... | |
| Dark stain on cherry dining room table | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: I have a solid cherry dining room table, it is the natural color with a danish oil finish, no ... A: unfortunately this is bad damage..likely a chemical reaction from acids, sugars, etc. with the ... | |
| wood glue and veneer repair | 8/18/2011 |
| Q: I have a few pieces from a bedroom suite that I stored on our screened in porch for too long. As a ... A: Elmers Carpenters glue is a "good" glue, but I disagree with her a little...much of this furniture ... | |
| furniture rehab | 8/14/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased an old buffet at a local thrift shop. It is a wonderful piece - solid wood ... A: Without testing the surface it will be difficult to tell...lacquer thinner will melt lacquer if ... | |
| Removing wood stain | 8/11/2011 |
| Q: ! I've got an old table from the 30's that my husband sanded down because the table needed ... A: .Sanding off an old finish is not the correct way to go about removing it...especially on a veneered ... | |
| finishing kitchen cabinets | 8/10/2011 |
| Q: I have never done this before. I have been trying out different stains and decided that I really ... A: any finish will change the color of dry unfinished wood. The least change will come from an Acrylic ... | |
| Furniture polish on a painted metal surface | 8/3/2011 |
| Q: Please don't embarrass me by asking how I did it, but I managed to get orange oil furniture polish ... A: The Flitz will polish the metal too though, as it is a super fine polishing abrasive....I'm sure its ... | |
| Topcoat for Oiled Craftsman Gumwood | 8/3/2011 |
| Q: Greg, thanks for all your great info. I saw your post re ... A: http://www.waterlox.com/products-item/waterlox-original-satin-tung-oil-wood-floor-finish.aspx This ... | |
| Furniture polish on a painted metal surface | 8/2/2011 |
| Q: Please don't embarrass me by asking how I did it, but I managed to get orange oil furniture polish ... A: I would hesitate to use water on any antique metal or wood furniture....hence the reason I suggested ... | |
| Furniture polish on a painted metal surface | 8/2/2011 |
| Q: Please don't embarrass me by asking how I did it, but I managed to get orange oil furniture polish ... A: Hey Steve....it's extremely unlikely that what you're describing could happen...an orange oil polish ... | |
| Veneer Edging Technique | 7/28/2011 |
| Q: I have a very old secretary desk that needs new veneer on two of the three drawer fronts. I am not ... A: that type of edge is cut into the wood with a cutter, (a shaper or Router)...From your picture, ... | |
| Chemical Smell from Cabinets Installed 7 Months Ago | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: I've read your many posts about cabinet smells and wondered if this situation is any different. We ... A: that's unusual, especially from a large manufacturer like WoodMode, as they have been moving to ... | |
| Topcoat for Oiled Craftsman Gumwood | 7/26/2011 |
| Q: Greg, thanks for all your great info. I saw your post re ... A: Hey Steve, if you've applied 5 coats, you should be left with a pretty protective coat...this is a ... | |
| Cherry dining table | 7/24/2011 |
| Q: I am afraid that I tried to use the wrong product on my table and buffet. I applied Rejuvenate per ... A: I think these people should be out of business by now with all the problem questions I have seen ... | |
| stain color for oak table | 7/19/2011 |
| Q: we are refinishing an old oak table and chairs and want to stain them so that they will look more ... A: Did you wipe off the stain well after you applied it?...it's imperative to wipe it OFF well after ... | |
| stain color for oak table | 7/19/2011 |
| Q: we are refinishing an old oak table and chairs and want to stain them so that they will look more ... A: Sometimes Oak takes stain better than other times...depends on a few variables...but the only way to ... | |
| stain color for oak table | 7/19/2011 |
| Q: we are refinishing an old oak table and chairs and want to stain them so that they will look more ... A: Oak has a natural amber/yellowish hue to it, so it can be a bit tricky to keep that from coming out ... | |
| Bradbury and co. Metal Sewing machine base | 7/13/2011 |
| Q: I have a metal base I want to use as an end table. There are some small rust spots showing and I ... A: you could spray it with a few things,(Krylon Clear Acrylic, Lacquer, Shellac) or you could even give ... | |
| interior banister staining | 7/10/2011 |
| Q: I used a very mild abrasive sandpaper which didn't do such a good job. The liquid sandpaper seems ... A: if you hope to transform an Oak bannister to a dark Ebony, you'll need to strip the old finish down ... | |
| Vintage Railroad Tie Shelving Smells Like Gasoline | 7/5/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased two shelving units from a high-end eco retailer's sample/seconds sale. The ... A: I would immediately remove these pieces from the inside of your home....I once ran into this with a ... | |
| General HVLP questions | 7/4/2011 |
| Q: I am in the market for a spray system that I can expect to get professional results. But I am on a ... A: ...you kind of get what you pay for, and a two - three stage system with a quality gun is going to ... | |
| Creases/shiny spots on matte finish table | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: Recently I moved and a friend set my dining table top down on to a metal glide from another piece of ... A: Hey Ron, no...there is no easy way to make the marks "go away". The top will likely have to be ... | |
| Shaker Rocking Chair | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: In earlier post we spoke about the chair; One of the legs of the chair as a bad crack and is swollen ... A: I didn't get a picture...did you send one?If it rained substantially, it could have cause the parts ... | |
| Gel Stain | 7/2/2011 |
| Q: In the process of refinishing out kitchen cabinets. They are light maple. We are going for a darker ... A: Hey Kim, TSP and steel wool will not remove the finish, you'll have to be a lot more aggressive than ... | |
| Wooden Box | 7/1/2011 |
| Q: Greg, I don't know much about handmade boxes but noticed they cost a lot, so I was wondering what ... A: Hey Sean, a lot of things will determine the cost....the type of wood and joinery used to make it, ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 6/29/2011 |
| Q: Greg: 2 years ago we had our kitchen remodeled, the cabinet builder put a thin white paint on the ... A: there's likely no way to fix them. Lacquer is not paint...usually the pigment coat would be applied, ... | |
| Staining Maple window | 6/29/2011 |
| Q: I have recently purchased all new custom kitchen cabinets and also have put a new maple eyebrow ... A: Hey Steve, sorry to hear this story, and unfortunately, you should have consulted a Pro before ... | |
| 60's sewing cabinet | 6/29/2011 |
| Q: I just purchased a sewing machine in a cabinet. I have refinished a sewing cabinet before with good ... A: Panels like these are held in by a groove routed in the stiles and rails of the doors. You could ... | |
| Shaker Rocking Chair | 6/27/2011 |
| Q: I have a shaker rocker chair that needs to be stabilized because the dryness has loosened the ... A: White glue and yellow glue fall into the PVA category of glues, and either would suffice....white ... | |
| waterproofing danish teak | 6/22/2011 |
| Q: I recently bought a Danish teak table. I have a 4-month old and several young nephews and nieces. I ... A: there really is no such thing as waterPROOFing a piece of wooden furniture, you'll need to be ... | |
| Repairing chipped wood veneer on dining table | 6/21/2011 |
| Q: Several years ago movers scratched my dining table and I didn't complain....so now, I want to ... A: anyone who would advise 'sanding down a whole table' is not a Professional in my opinion...this is ... | |
| Shaker Rocking Chair | 6/21/2011 |
| Q: I have a shaker rocker chair that needs to be stabilized because the dryness has loosened the ... A: New glue will stick fine to old glue, but it is important to remove any loose or crumbly old glue, ... | |
| How to fix scratches and gouges in desk | 6/20/2011 |
| Q: Not sure how to go about fixing these areas on my desk. I don't want to have to refinish the whole ... A: properly refinished, there's no reason the piece wouldn't look the same, so not sure why someone ... | |
| Shaker Rocking Chair | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: I have a shaker rocker chair that needs to be stabilized because the dryness has loosened the ... A: are the joints broken or just separated? If the joints have actually broken, then it's a much more ... | |
| Smoke odor on/in wood furniture | 6/14/2011 |
| Q: I recently acquired a wood dresser and had it painted. I did not notice the smoke smell originally, ... A: smoke odors are difficult to remove completely, and it's quite a job to do, as all the exposed ... | |
| sealing cedar log siding | 6/12/2011 |
| Q: We are about to install cedar log cabin siding on our home. We live in extreme Northern Maine on a ... A: Cedar has a natural pitch in it that will repel water and insects , but the wood will eventually dry ... | |
| "insides" for a roll-top desk | 6/12/2011 |
| Q: I have a question about something that I need; maybe you could give me someone's name to contact. I ... A: this is not something you can just go out and purchase...it would likely have to be made by a ... | |
| finish on a wood turned bowl | 6/11/2011 |
| Q: I turn bowls and vases on a lathe. I usually use just a Tung Oil finish on them and they look very ... A: it really depends on a few variables...but ideally you don't want to use Tung oil over lacquer, but ... | |
| Paint hard wood floors and walls | 6/9/2011 |
| Q: I have a blue based red curtain in my game room. I want to paint the walls and floor to go ... A: I'm afraid I'm not an interior designer, and I would really have no idea what to suggest to you in ... | |
| Oak cabinets | 6/8/2011 |
| Q: We will be moving to a re-sale home at the end of August. Our current kitchen was made to match the ... A: tinted polyurethane is NOT a good idea to apply to modern kitchen cabinets. They are finished with a ... | |
| Refinishing kitchen cabinets | 5/28/2011 |
| Q: We are in the process of remodeling our basement and are sanding the old stain finish off of our ... A: ..you'll need to chemically strip these down to bare wood if you hope to get them dark, as they have ... | |
| rush seats replacements | 5/28/2011 |
| Q: I don't have money to put in to "restoration" but still want to preserve them as best as I can. ... A: there is a synthetic Rush made of paper, and it is a cheaper and easier to install solution, (not ... | |
| Furniture Polishes | 5/26/2011 |
| Q: I hope you can answer this question for me please. I bought a dining room set at Macys. The table ... A: The environment and humidity (or lack thereof), will do more harm to a piece than any polish would. ... | |
| Furniture Polishes | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: I hope you can answer this question for me please. I bought a dining room set at Macys. The table ... A: It could be a little of both, sometimes it could actually be intentional, as in the act of ... | |
| Furniture Polishes | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: I hope you can answer this question for me please. I bought a dining room set at Macys. The table ... A: Most Old English brand polishes are silicone free. Silicone is an oil, and while it can add a quick ... | |
| patio table with storage | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: To my new patio, I'd like to add an 8'x 2'table, about 34" high, for potting, storage of garden ... A: I am not aware of a plan like this readily available, and if it is to see weather, having doors of ... | |
| Computer desk hinge | 5/21/2011 |
| Q: My computer desk has a pull-out keyboard tray with a front on it that folds down before I roll out ... A: did it always open 180 degrees (hanging straight down) like that? There is really no way to tighten ... | |
| cabinet refinish | 5/18/2011 |
| Q: My kitchen cabinets are 50 to 60 yrs old, the are a built in place cabinet with pine face frames and ... A: Spraying is really the ideal way to apply a cabinet finish for a couple of reasons...the Quick 15 ... | |
| cabinet refinish | 5/17/2011 |
| Q: My kitchen cabinets are 50 to 60 yrs old, the are a built in place cabinet with pine face frames and ... A: That product is a very thin, quickly evaporating liquid stripper, and I wouldn't recommend it for a ... | |
| steam damage from wallpaper removal | 5/17/2011 |
| Q: My wife decided to remove wallpaper from plaster walls with a steamer machine. It left faint white ... A: see what happens when you scrub it lightly with some 000-0000 steel wool dipped in mineral ... | |
| refinishing a kitchen Island | 5/17/2011 |
| Q: The top of the Island appears to be butcher block. I Sanded it down and applied Minwax Polyshade ... A: Polyshades is not a stain...it is a colored polyurethane, and I would not have recommended you use ... | |
| cabinet refinish | 5/15/2011 |
| Q: My kitchen cabinets are 50 to 60 yrs old, the are a built in place cabinet with pine face frames and ... A: Hey Scott, that's a loaded question...there are many techniques to refinish them, but they are ... | |
| roblewood outdoor table stain removal | 5/9/2011 |
| Q: I have an outdoor roblewood table which has never been treated or stained. The wood has turned a ... A: fryer oil will soak in pretty deep I'm afraid on an unfinished, dry top like that...the silver color ... | |
| change color on finished furniture | 5/9/2011 |
| Q: I have two chests and a dresser of finished birch. The finish has a golden color that I don't like. ... A: there really is no way to change the finish without removing it. Birch can take on a natural ... | |
| Kitchen cabinents | 5/7/2011 |
| Q: I have natural cherry cabinets (made by Brookline- a division of Woodmode) that are 15 years old. ... A: your cabinets are finished with a conversion varnish or catalyzed lacquer finish most likely....they ... | |
| White rings on table top | 5/1/2011 |
| Q: A customer put a hot pot on a cork place mat and left a huge white ring in/on the finish. What would ... A: I would try a "blush eraser", which is a combination of solvents in an aerosol form...likely it's a ... | |
| fitting a laminate counter top | 4/28/2011 |
| Q: We bought a piece of kitchen laminate counter top to fit over our washer/dryer...the area which the ... A: you have very few choices...you can either mount the counter where you need it and leave a space ... | |
| Refinishing an inlaid oak table top | 4/28/2011 |
| Q: I have a 28 year old 3.5 x 6 ft coffee table top with an inlaid oak top. The oak pieces are several ... A: what you're describing sounds like the typical problem with Oak and other hardwoods and oil stain. ... | |
| expert | 4/26/2011 |
| Q: We have had a supposedly expert cabinet maker produce over $300,000 of cabinetry for a large ... A: Not sure what that would gain you if the finishing is now done....reversing this would be a HUGE ... | |
| wood door repair | 4/26/2011 |
| Q: My husband replaced all the doors in our house, staining and lacquering them himself. Within a few ... A: first of all, lacquer is not up to the task of protecting such a door...and there is no way to fix ... | |
| Refinishing Wood Ceiling | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: I have rough cedar tongue and groove ceilings that were unfinished. I have sanded smooth and applied ... A: I can't answer all of your questions because it really depends on the look you're after....if you ... | |
| glass table top over glass inlay? | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: I have an 'almost antique' round coffee table with the majority of the table surface is inlayed ... A: that would be a good way to protect it, and the company that will make the glass for you should ... | |
| wall mounted fold out table and benches | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: In 1993 my daughters first job was in Lake Charles,La and her apartment had a fold down table as ... A: sounds like a custom manufactured system to me, and I have never seen such plans, ... | |
| Stain over Stain | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I am replacing a broken component on an entertainment unit and am trying to match the original ... A: Yes, likely now the addition of the clear coat will give a pretty good match.That will "wet" it ... | |
| Stain over Stain | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I am replacing a broken component on an entertainment unit and am trying to match the original ... A: ..it depends on what stain you're using and how heavy (how many coats) you need to apply. Often ... | |
| Refinishing Wood Ceiling | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I have rough cedar tongue and groove ceilings that were unfinished. I have sanded smooth and applied ... A: the real problem is the Cedar...it's a soft wood and will soak up anything you apply to it unevenly, ... | |
| damage to lacquered furniture | 4/19/2011 |
| Q: The company that cleans our house recently used a product that seems to have damaged our lacquered ... A: it sounds like you've probably gotten off the mineral oil residue, but the surface may have been ... | |
| Refinishing a 1930-1940 Dining Room Table and Chairs | 4/19/2011 |
| Q: I'm looking at buying a table and chairs that I found at a vintage/"loved" antiques store but the ... A: the first thing would be to chemically strip off the finish in the worst areas, (like the top), but ... | |
| refinishing kitchen cabinets | 4/13/2011 |
| Q: Mr. Scholl My husband and I recently bought a house and discovered that something was used on some ... A: I would not have given him the doors without answers to your questions.....and without him ... | |
| wood floors and painted kitchen cabinets | 4/11/2011 |
| Q: I vacuumed my wood floors because the manufacture stated on the box that it could be used on wood ... A: ..there is NO way to easily strip paint from kitchen cabinets, and it might not be paint, but a ... | |
| Wood Coating | 4/10/2011 |
| Q: I am working on a home built bar and plan on putting an oak top on it. I am looking to put a clear ... A: Hey John, there is a plethora of available coatings you could use..., depending on variables like ... | |
| chest of drawers | 4/9/2011 |
| Q: I recently ran across a pair of these. I'm not sure if they are junk or if they have some value. ... A: It depends on the market for such things where you are...have you figured out what wood they are ... | |
| chest of drawers | 4/6/2011 |
| Q: I recently ran across a pair of these. I'm not sure if they are junk or if they have some value. ... A: they look like some type of shop drawers, but it's likely the cord was run through it for something ... | |
| refinishing kitchen cabinets | 4/5/2011 |
| Q: Mr. Scholl My husband and I recently bought a house and discovered that something was used on some ... A: water can turn Oak black, and he may have used a water based or water rinsed stripper....the Jasco ... | |
| wood preservatives | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: I would like to know if it is safe to treat a bird nesting box with teak oil or some other ... A: a Teak oil that is non-toxic like R. Richardson Ltd. Teak Oil, would likely be ok to use...but I ... | |
| Lead in old varnish | 4/3/2011 |
| Q: We have a coffee and 2 end tables with oval leather inlay with gold pattern on the edge of the ... A: typically lead was a binder used in pigments, and clear coats would not have high lead content, ... | |
| Refinishing a Lovig veneer Teak Desk | 4/2/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased a Lovig veneer teak desk and I want to refinish it because it has some ... A: any good methylene chloride stripper will work fine for stripping your Teak desk.....and even ... | |
| Pickled Oak Cabinets | 3/31/2011 |
| Q: Greg, I had received pickled oak cabinets (builders grade) from a relative and do not have enough to ... A: ..I'm afraid it would be almost impossible to find an exact match anyway...one makers 'pickled Oak' ... | |
| rush seat repair | 3/30/2011 |
| Q: I have some dining chairs with rush seats. A few years back a furniture repair man repaired the ... A: it is possible to make a temporary repair sometimes, but it sounds to me like the Rush is ... | |
| Removing Stain | 3/27/2011 |
| Q: Have a chest which had a mapele finish..not sure of wood type but removed the finish/stain with ... A: I use Citristrip almost exclusively now, which is an NMP stripper that smells like oranges...it ... | |
| Removing Stain | 3/27/2011 |
| Q: Have a chest which had a mapele finish..not sure of wood type but removed the finish/stain with ... A: you'll need to strip it now with stripper...I'm not a big fan of those products, and I think the ... | |
| Rustoleum cabinet transformation product | 3/25/2011 |
| Q: I have used this product on the insides of my front doors and worked great as a trial. I used it ... A: My guess is what you're seeing is "holidays", areas where you either missed applying the clear coat, ... | |
| Stain on GPlan Teak dining table | 3/19/2011 |
| Q: I was doing some house cleaning yesterday and absent mindedly sprayed the table with household ... A: unfortunately you've done serious damage to the finish...and there's no way to just 'touch up' this ... | |
| wood baseboard heater covers | 3/19/2011 |
| Q: I am enclosing a photo of a wood basboard heater cover that I would like to build. I'm not sure how ... A: Hey Matt, two words.."Table saw"...A dado blade set, a good crosscut sled, and a good ... | |
| refinishing a tiger maple dresser | 3/18/2011 |
| Q: I bought an early 19th century tiger maple dresser that is missing its drawer knobs. There are ... A: I know exactly what these knobs look like, and I did a quick search on "wood threaded knobs" and ... | |
| refinishing a table top | 3/17/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased a table from a woman who said she had it made from reclaimed lumber from ... A: the first step would be to strip the table with a good stripper down to clean bare wood.The finish ... | |
| Removing dated Whitewash from pine walls | 3/12/2011 |
| Q: Buying a cabin with 6" vertical pine wood walls. Unfortunately the previous owners whitewashed ... A: there is NO easy way to remove the old finish from your walls.You would be farther ahead to just put ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 3/11/2011 |
| Q: We are buying a new construction home and I want to have white cabinets in the kitchen. The builder ... A: Birch and maple are very similar, and should be almost the same money. But paint is not a great ... | |
| Triple dresser | 3/9/2011 |
| Q: Hell- I am considering buying a triple dresser with the idea of converting it to a bathroom double ... A: It's a pretty dresser, but if you plan to put two sinks into it, the guts will need to be completely ... | |
| Refinish top Ethan Allen Georgian Court | 3/8/2011 |
| Q: We have EA Georgian Court triple dresser that has two deep scratches about 6 " long. I used their ... A: if you fill them and and sand the top, and then respray the clear, you'll likely still see ... | |
| old wooden night stand | 3/7/2011 |
| Q: I have an old wood nightstand and the front and sides are in very good condition. The is a nice ... A: ideally you want to strip the old finish off with stripper, and then sand lightly if needed, unless ... | |
| rocker recliners | 3/6/2011 |
| Q: I have a Simmons rocker recliner. Can it be made to stop rocking and just be a recliner? A: I suppose it could, the two mechanisms should be separate..but without seeing the underneath I ... | |
| Blistering varnish on Baltic Pine Table | 3/6/2011 |
| Q: I have a round baltic pine dining table that extends by raising a 'flap' that folds in under the ... A: Refinishing a table like this really isn't for the inexperienced, so I would suggest having it ... | |
| refinished floors | 3/5/2011 |
| Q: Our hardwood floors were refinished over 3 months ago with oil based polyurethane and they still ... A: Some oil based Urethanes are rather stinky, but it should be dissipating by now. A floor fan might ... | |
| Melamine | 3/5/2011 |
| Q: The melamine is peeling away from the material used to create my cabinet doors, which looks like ... A: repairs on this type of substrate are not usually very successful. Trying to strip off the Melamine ... | |
| Blistering varnish on Baltic Pine Table | 3/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a round baltic pine dining table that extends by raising a 'flap' that folds in under the ... A: Ho Lorraine, to me that looks like more than just the varnish....it looks almost like a veneer, and ... | |
| Dresser Drawer Cabinet Runner Worn | 3/4/2011 |
| Q: I picked up an antique dresser that one of the drawers does not slide well into the cabinet. Upon ... A: you'll have to replace the worn runner....usually they're either 'toe' nailed front and back or in a ... | |
| !908-1909 Singer Parlor Tiger Wood Cabinet | 3/4/2011 |
| Q: I am trying to restore my Grandmothers antique sewing machine and cabinet. The left side support ... A: any good Cabinet maker/Furniture maker should be able to repair or remake the existing support. You ... | |
| glazed cabinets | 3/2/2011 |
| Q: We have never glazed cabinets before, but we recently glazed our freshly painted cabinets. We used ... A: If the paint is cured, (I'm assuming this is a latex type enamel), it should be ok to wipe off the ... | |
| glazed cabinets | 3/2/2011 |
| Q: We have never glazed cabinets before, but we recently glazed our freshly painted cabinets. We used ... A: in short, yes...you can remove the glaze with mineral spirits...however, it's very difficult to ... | |
| Teak veneer kitchen cabinets | 2/28/2011 |
| Q: We have beautiful teak veneered kitchen cabinets (trimmed with solid black walnut). They have only ... A: it would be uncommon for your cabinets not to have a finish.....unless you know this because you did ... | |
| painted cabinets | 2/27/2011 |
| Q: A few years ago I painted our MDF kitchen cabinets with oil based primer and paint. I've realized ... A: I was implying using the same paint as before, thinking you wanted to just renew them and add the ... | |
| painted cabinets | 2/26/2011 |
| Q: A few years ago I painted our MDF kitchen cabinets with oil based primer and paint. I've realized ... A: the only choice would be to prep them well, and paint them again and then clear coat them. The newer ... | |
| Paper covered cabinets | 2/24/2011 |
| Q: the house we bought has cheap cabinets covered with some type of paper made to look like wood. Can ... A: these cabinets sound like a Vinyl veneer over MDF. If it's in tact, not peeling, etc...you can paint ... | |
| RustoleumTransformations - on a painted surface | 2/23/2011 |
| Q: Greg - I read your recent response in regards to the Rustoleum cabinet products. I saw this product ... A: It will depend on the color you choose, versus the color you're trying to cover..like any painting ... | |
| RustoleumTransformations - on a painted surface | 2/23/2011 |
| Q: Greg - I read your recent response in regards to the Rustoleum cabinet products. I saw this product ... A: I think you're mistaken about the Rustoleum kit. One of the most important steps is the primer/bond ... | |
| restoring front door | 2/21/2011 |
| Q: If I had to guess the door is the original door to the house and the house is at least 100 years ... A: absolutely strip with a chemical stripper...paste type Methylene Chloride or an NMP stripper like ... | |
| refinish vintage rosewood desk | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: I inherited (at work) a 1960's era rosewood veneer desk that looks like typical danish design of the ... A: you could get some Watco Danish oil finish in a Med. Walnut color (usually the best choice for Teak ... | |
| Glue | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: I live in an extremely dry climate. What glue do you recommend for repairing furniture. thank you A: any good woodworking glue will be fine.But as always, hide glues beget hide glues (like on ... | |
| oak rocking chairs | 2/15/2011 |
| Q: Ineed to redo 4 oak rocking chairs that have been on my front porch for 35 years. I found the ... A: spindles like these will likely have to be made by a competent Restorer/Furniture maker. These are ... | |
| Cleaning tobacco residue | 2/14/2011 |
| Q: I need to clean kitchen walls and varnished wood cabinets which have grease and tobacco residue on ... A: most of the orange products are safe for finishes, but make sure you're using a cleaner that's ... | |
| nourishing wood moldings | 2/12/2011 |
| Q: I have read that I need to use boiled linseed oil and it will give the wood a reddish hue. What can ... A: Typically, if the wood is in good shape, they'll just need a refinish.Stripped, stained, and ... | |
| Varnish peeling off Oak cabinets | 2/11/2011 |
| Q: I had custom oak cabinets in my kitchen made and the last several yrs I have noticed that wherever ... A: this likely isn't a varnish...it sounds like lacquer, as it is much more susceptible to water ... | |
| Cat urine proof finish? | 2/9/2011 |
| Q: I have an oak butcher block kitchen table that I am refinishing AGAIN due to urine stains from our ... A: Hey Bruce, cat urine contains many harsh chemicals like ammonia, and Uric acid...and if left for ... | |
| Custom cabinets chipping ......... | 2/9/2011 |
| Q: I saw another customer had this problem on your site and someone responded this is not normal. Two ... A: you label the picture you sent "chipping from wrist rubbing against wood"...if that's the case, then ... | |
| cabinet paint | 2/6/2011 |
| Q: I am going to be painting my kitchen cabinets soon, but as a professional decorative painter I have ... A: since you like the Stix Primer, why not look into their Cabinet paint "CabinetCoat". These are ... | |
| nourishing wood moldings | 2/4/2011 |
| Q: I have read that I need to use boiled linseed oil and it will give the wood a reddish hue. What can ... A: Not sure I understand the question...coloring wood requires a stain usually, and you should not use ... | |
| Dark Oak Kitchen Cabinets | 2/2/2011 |
| Q: Greg, My question is...after doing all of the necessary steps to paint my super dark oak cabinets, ... A: what process did you use to clean and prep the cabinets? The Rustoleum kit uses a specially designed ... | |
| Touch Up For Ethan Allen Charcoal Finish | 2/1/2011 |
| Q: A friend installing equipment for us scratched some of the finish off our new entertainment center. ... A: a crayon is also wax...which could contaminate the surface for a proper repair...my best thought ... | |
| sticky kitchen table | 1/30/2011 |
| Q: can i use mineral turpentine to get rid of the stickiness on my kitchen table and then polyurethane ... A: a sticky surface can mean the finish is breaking down. You can clean it with some mineral spirits, ... | |
| antique furniture - humid to dry climate | 1/26/2011 |
| Q: Greg, I have moved some antique furniture from NY State to the high desert of NM. Is there anything ... A: there's really nothing you can 'treat' the wood with, it's really about the environment that they ... | |
| Antique Chinese Lacquered Standing Floor Screen | 1/26/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased an antique 18th Century Chinese lacquered standing 6 foot 6 panel floor screen ... A: In my opinion this is a job for a Pro Restorer..these screens are VERY fragile,and need to be ... | |
| refinishing 130 year old wood floors | 1/25/2011 |
| Q: we recently purchased a home built in 1888. The hardwood floors are oak. The floors are in good ... A: I would suggest a Pro without hesitation, and you need to find one who has experience with antique ... | |
| Butcher Block repair | 1/25/2011 |
| Q: Have a new (5 months)kitchen island with butcher block top, apprx. 50"x30". The right edge has split ... A: Hey Jim, cracking like this is usually due to dryness and lack of humidity (or swings in ... | |
| Pickled oak cabinets | 1/23/2011 |
| Q: I need to touch up manufactured pickled oak cabinets where they've been constantly touched to open. ... A: That type of repair really isn't possible with these finishes...it just doesn't blend or "feather" ... | |
| Pickled oak cabinets | 1/23/2011 |
| Q: I need to touch up manufactured pickled oak cabinets where they've been constantly touched to open. ... A: what did you purchase? Typically it's really not possible to "touch up" this type of finish ... | |
| sticky build up on late 70s early 80s Ethan Allen dining set | 1/23/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased an Ethan Allan dining table, 6 chairs and a hutch in tavern pine finish. It ... A: the furniture is certainly lacquered. If it's sticky after cleaning, then the lacquer has degraded ... | |
| need more glaze | 1/22/2011 |
| Q: I bought the rustoleum dark cabinet transformation kit and ran out. I am in the middle of the ... A: I wouldn't use anything but exactly the same product, and for that you should be able to get ... | |
| rosewood furniture | 1/21/2011 |
| Q: We just received Dad's rosewood furniture,It is very dirty,It is not lacquered We need to clean is ... A: I don't care for Murphy's and it can leave a residue behind, a bad thing if you're going to be ... | |
| white film on cabinets | 1/19/2011 |
| Q: Greg, I saw a previous post about a white film on maple cabinets. We have the same problem. Our ... A: I would be suspicious of the finish, ...and the company that applied it, if they're telling you it ... | |
| Kitchen cabinet finish | 1/18/2011 |
| Q: I read your recent answer about kitchen cabinets, and it further convinced me that the guy who built ... A: Conventional lacquer is not a good choice for kitchen cabinets, if that's what he's using...he ... | |
| Writing Imprints on Oak Coffee Table | 1/18/2011 |
| Q: I looked through your previously answered and didn't spot my issue. Which is, father refinished old ... A: you have two different variables here. The high gloss finish and the wood. A ball point pen could ... | |
| stuck dresser drawer | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: My top dresser drawer sticks only in the winter time. During the summer months it works just fine, ... A: you have figured it out...it's too dry in the house in the Winter. Even with the vents closed, the ... | |
| Kitchen cabinet finish | 1/16/2011 |
| Q: I read your recent answer about kitchen cabinets, and it further convinced me that the guy who built ... A: Modern cabinets are finished with tough, catalyzed clear coats (chemically crosslinking) and they ... | |
| Restoring an antique sewing machine base circa 1920 | 1/16/2011 |
| Q: I have just completed stripping back the wood of my sewing machine to natural wood. I am wondering ... A: Hey James, totally unsure of what products you have at your disposal over there...but a good oil ... | |
| Veneer | 1/14/2011 |
| Q: I am doing some work with veneer for the first time; I have to replace a piece of damaged on a ... A: Hey Lorne- I would not prefinish the piece, and you should not have to worry about those other ... | |
| America of Martinsville | 1/12/2011 |
| Q: I have a unique dinning set from Americ of Martinsville maker and I thought the set was called ... A: did you try contacting them directly? They're still in business: ... | |
| removing super glue from two piece of wood | 1/11/2011 |
| Q: I knew better, but I used super glue to attach a broken piece of wood to a violin. I always use ... A: Hey Scott, this is pretty tough stuff when it sticks properly, I'd be inclined to try to "pop" the ... | |
| Finish for ponerosa pine | 1/9/2011 |
| Q: I have some ponderosa pine that I have planed...it has a fair amount of pitch to it and I can ... A: Hey Al, my concern is that the wood may nor be seasoned enough to build furniture with. Ideally you ... | |
| re painting wood | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: I just sanded some parts of my son's crib where he had chewed when he was a baby. I painted a small ... A: furniture like this is likely finished with a catalyzed lacquer or conversion varnish finish. These ... | |
| Replacing wooden dowel knob on dresser with bolt on knob | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: i have know experience in this field however i was hoping to refinish my old dresser for my nursery ... A: You can make a pickling medium like that, but it can be a bit daunting to get the consistency right ... | |
| finishing table top | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: I have made a dining table 10ftx4ft in walnut and would like your advice on how to finish the top.I ... A: I wouldn't seal any top that you want to use a penetrating oil finish on...because these finishes ... | |
| garage cabinet door | 1/7/2011 |
| Q: Garage cabinet door is stuck half open. Will not roll up or down even with pressure applied. Can it ... A: Hey Chris, I'm sure you can take it apart, as it was put together...but it can be a huge job ... | |
| dining table | 1/7/2011 |
| Q: Greg...we have a very nice dining table that used to have a beautiful dark finish. Two Christmas' ... A: I'm afraid there's really nothing you can do with this damage without knowledge and experience of ... | |
| Replacing wooden dowel knob on dresser with bolt on knob | 1/6/2011 |
| Q: i have know experience in this field however i was hoping to refinish my old dresser for my nursery ... A: since the knob hole does not go all the way through the drawer front, you can fill it with a dowel ... | |
| what type of finish is this? | 1/6/2011 |
| Q: I have an older, fairly inexpensively made four-drawer chest with it's original finish. It's design ... A: it's most likely lacquer if it is a factory produced piece. Most furniture of that era was, as it ... | |
| replacing or repainting door frames | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: some of the door frames in the house have scratches, chipped paint, or small dents. I would like to ... A: Usually an eggshell, Satin or Semi-gloss paint is good for woodwork and cabinetry. Primer is always ... | |
| conversion varnish over veneer | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: We applied a birch veneer to a convex cabinet side. Applied veneer with a red contact cement. ... A: Hey Skip, in my experience, it sounds more like the veneer and the contact cement...it's very ... | |
| replacing or repainting door frames | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: some of the door frames in the house have scratches, chipped paint, or small dents. I would like to ... A: a competent handyman or a good Painter should be able to handle such a job easily....get a few ... | |
| re-finishing a teak veneer table | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: Christmas is over and I considering tackling refinishing the dining room table. It about 35-40 ... A: the table is most likely finished with an oil finish. These long oils, are drying oils (essentially ... | |
| new dresser/furniture finish | 12/31/2010 |
| Q: I am having a new dresser built that I have designed. Attached is an image from the computer model ... A: Hey Todd, a cool looking piece....you're on the right track....dye stains can be used to really ... | |
| How to create a pine scrub top | 12/29/2010 |
| Q: Could you advise the best way to create a pine scrub top. It is kitchen table that currently has a ... A: typically these "scrub" tops are just a wax finish, but the color comes from the caustic soda lye ... | |
| Corner Shelf | 12/27/2010 |
| Q: I bought a finished corner shelf but when I went to install it, realized the walls aren't square (my ... A: Then the problem is in the corner, and material will need to be removed there to allow the shelf to ... | |
| Corner Shelf | 12/26/2010 |
| Q: I bought a finished corner shelf but when I went to install it, realized the walls aren't square (my ... A: the way to do it is to hold it in position and scribe it to fit, then remove the excess area with a ... | |
| finishing cabinets | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: I am having custom kitchen cabinets done and have chosen an eggshell finish and a brown glaze over ... A: This is a loaded topic as the multitude of finishes on the market is dizzying. Compound that with ... | |
| shiny spot in satin finish | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: About 6 months ago I finished a oak breakfast bar top with about 8 coats of satin water based ... A: Hey Mark, if you were to rub this top out I would only use ScotchBrite or 0000 steel wool. I would ... | |
| refinishing a teak table | 12/22/2010 |
| Q: I am refinishing 30 year old teak veneer table, Another site advised using shellac and several coats ... A: Hey Jim, I would never advise using such a varnish on a Teak table. Teak is almost always finished ... | |
| refinishing kitchen cabinets | 12/22/2010 |
| Q: My kitchen cabinets are covered in melamine. My husband peeled the melamine off of two of the ... A: ..is there glue left from the melamine?? I suppose a PVA primer might be a good bet....but thin, ... | |
| Maple butcher block split | 12/18/2010 |
| Q: I have a maple butcher block cook stove top that has split along one joint under the cook top edge ... A: Hey Steve, it's likely that this cracking is from shrinkage due to extremes in heat and dryness.It ... | |
| Nail Pops | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: I spent the day going over the furniture in the store looking for the nail pops I spoke about. I ... A: Boy, that's unfortunate...could definitely be a screw or nail....does it correspond with a leg or ... | |
| Nail pops | 12/13/2010 |
| Q: I work in a furniture store and I am finding a lot of , what I call, "nail pops". They are in the ... A: It's more likely from the trip across the ocean...and also whether or not they actually used kiln ... | |
| oil for satin-finish rosewood table | 12/10/2010 |
| Q: Can you recommend a red-tinted oil good for a satin-finish Herman Miller rosewood veneer dining ... A: I'm not aware of a red colored oil...some oil finishes have a deep amber color(like WaterLox), and ... | |
| Furniture finishes | 12/8/2010 |
| Q: How can I tell what finish is on my new coffee and end table set? The retailer is unable to give any ... A: No, it's not safe to say, infact many European countries are even more regulated and environmentally ... | |
| Furniture finishes | 12/7/2010 |
| Q: How can I tell what finish is on my new coffee and end table set? The retailer is unable to give any ... A: ..the best way is to contact the manufacturer nowadays...there should be some type of mark on the ... | |
| Transforming old kitchen cabinets | 12/4/2010 |
| Q: Greg, I have been thinking about refinishing by existing kitchen cabinets. I was looking into doing ... A: this kit is really just a collection of very similar products that one would use anyway to do this ... | |
| stain problem | 12/3/2010 |
| Q: Greg, We have a hand-carved maple mantel which we were going to have professionally stained. ... A: ..uh-oh...that's not good because it is not easily reversible. Chemical stripping is the only way to ... | |
| How to remove scented oil stain from oak table | 11/30/2010 |
| Q: I have an antique oak table, with no finish on it. Today a bottle of scented oil was spilled on it. ... A: It may have an oil finish or just a wax finish, or perhaps shellac with wax, all of which are common ... | |
| Paint | 11/28/2010 |
| Q: I would like to paint my kitchen cabinets in a bright white gloss. Do I need to use an oil based ... A: I am really not a painter, and I have no idea what products are available to you up there in the ... | |
| Finishind a dining room table | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: How many coats should I apply to get a hard enough surface that when you write on paper or other, it ... A: Hey Ed, I'm a big fan of General products, but this will have more to do with the type of wood than ... | |
| Sun marks on wooden furniture | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: Foolishly I left an ornament on a wooden piece of furniture (light wood - not sure what type of ... A: it depends on the species of wood...Maple, Cherry and some other Fruitwoods, and others will ... | |
| Bathroom Antique Cubbord | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: I have refinished a bathroom cupboard, and have applied a blue stain. I'm wondering if I need to put ... A: yes, you will need to apply something to protect the stain, and there are many choices.....I'm just ... | |
| Warped antique China cabinet door | 11/24/2010 |
| Q: I have a 100 yr old china cabinet that the bottom door is warped and won't close. It has a scroll ... A: it really depends on how bad the warp is...sometimes you can adjust the hinges to provide relief, ... | |
| Finishing a cedar chest. | 11/23/2010 |
| Q: I have purchased an Amish made unfinished cedar chest, (All Cedar) for a Christmas present. We are ... A: Hey Cynthia, you could do either, but I would fill the holes first, as you'll likely need to color ... | |
| tung oil over lacquer | 11/18/2010 |
| Q: Recently someone made a farm table for me out of reclaimed cherry. Though he did a great job on the ... A: And the other beautiful thing about Waterlox, is that it can be reapplied at any time to "freshen ... | |
| Pine Cupboards | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: What is the best product to refinish pine cupboards? Just moved into new home,there is some visible ... A: that's a loaded question...as there are many ways to finish your cupboards...and what's on there now ... | |
| tung oil over lacquer | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: Recently someone made a farm table for me out of reclaimed cherry. Though he did a great job on the ... A: This sounds like a fairly rustic design, and I'm not a big fan of lacquer on such a piece, even a ... | |
| removing a drawer | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: I just bought a home that has Wood Mode cherry cabinetry in the kitchen. I would like to take out a ... A: sometimes you just pull it out all the way and tilt up and continue to lift...or there might be some ... | |
| tung oil over lacquer | 11/16/2010 |
| Q: Recently someone made a farm table for me out of reclaimed cherry. Though he did a great job on the ... A: are you sure he used lacquer? Wax can be removed with mineral spirits, clean rags, and 0000 steel ... | |
| Birds eye maple cabinets | 11/16/2010 |
| Q: I am purchasing a home with birds eye maple cabinets.I would like to lighten them. Ideally I would ... A: Maple will darken over time into a mellow amber-Brown color due to oxidation and UV light...it's the ... | |
| Remove pledge from a wood headboard | 11/15/2010 |
| Q: Am Chief of Maintenance of a hotel and when we first opened the maids put pledge on the new wood now ... A: Hey Mike, Pledge contains silicone and oils, and mineral spirits will probably remove it, but it ... | |
| staining indoor cedar railings | 11/14/2010 |
| Q: Well, I've sanded and wood filled my indoor red cedar railings both on ledges and railing going up ... A: what pretty railings...that's a lot of work...I think a good option would be a modified Tung oil ... | |
| leather top table with gold inlay | 11/14/2010 |
| Q: we have a small shop doing furniture restoration we redid a table and the family had there floors ... A: Hey Tom, what finish did you use? A vinyl sealer and Vinyl lacquer should be used over leather,as ... | |
| damaged veneer table top | 11/13/2010 |
| Q: I would like to repaint a wicker table that has a damaged veneer top. I have scraped all loose ... A: the whole top is rather rough and uneven...if it's going to be inside only, you could "skim" coat ... | |
| cleaning vs. refinishing mid century piece | 11/12/2010 |
| Q: I recently acquired a few mid century wood furniture pieces (broyhill sculptra) on craigslist. I ... A: Very difficult for me to advise you without seeing the pieces...I am not a big fan of the Howards ... | |
| Refinishing pine furniture | 11/12/2010 |
| Q: I have 2 pieces of pine furniture, one is a dining room hutch and the other a bar cabinet. They ... A: Hey Eric, are these Antiques? Mineral oil is a non drying oil, and should not be used on furniture, ... | |
| non-toxic stain | 11/11/2010 |
| Q: I am refinishing my daughter's crib for our expected grandson. I plan to us VT Natural PolyWhey ... A: there are some companies making non toxic stains like the one below: ... | |
| rosewood dining table | 11/7/2010 |
| Q: I have had my table 30yrs and was told when i bought it to dust lightly or wipe with a damp cloth ... A: it's likely that it is either Lacquer or Oil finished..the white ring makes me think maybe lacquer. ... | |
| Staining new wood pine 6 panel doors | 11/7/2010 |
| Q: I have just applied a coat of gel-stain to new bare wood 6 panel doors. I was trying to match stain ... A: the Gel stain has a polyurethane binder and will likely not take an oil stain well...you can simply ... | |
| cedar sealers | 11/7/2010 |
| Q: recently built a cedar lined sauna what would be a good sealer to use? A: Hey Robert, you shouldn't use any sealers on the inside of a Cedar Sauna....not only is the natural ... | |
| Making wooden inlays | 11/6/2010 |
| Q: I am making simple wooden "treasure" boxes for my grandchildren. I would like to inlay his or her ... A: Hey Bill, trying to inlay lettering into solid wood is something I've not done...on a smaller scale ... | |
| Refinishing Table with MinWax Polyshades | 10/31/2010 |
| Q: Our table my wife and I purchased about 2 years ago began to have its finish flake and peel just ... A: Power sanding any finish is to be avoided at all costs....only a light hand sanding should be ... | |
| wood selection | 10/31/2010 |
| Q: I’m going to build a 5’ high bookcase with 13” shelves and I would like to stain it, probably a ... A: Hey Bob, do you have a router, table saw? Typically, one would use dados, and build the carcass with ... | |
| Refinishing Table with MinWax Polyshades | 10/31/2010 |
| Q: Our table my wife and I purchased about 2 years ago began to have its finish flake and peel just ... A: Hey Glenn, to remove an old finish, it must be chemically stripped...SO many people think it's a ... | |
| white cabinets | 10/29/2010 |
| Q: we had custom cabs built two years ago...white painted birch....we have had to have them redone ... A: I would ask to go see some other white cabinets he's done,or get the name of a previous customer or ... | |
| Refinishing veneer furniture from 1950s | 10/27/2010 |
| Q: I have several pieces of furniture from the 1950s that I would like to refinish. Is it safer to ... A: A grit like 120-150-180 is probably where you'll want to be, but it will depend on what you're left ... | |
| Refinishing veneer furniture from 1950s | 10/27/2010 |
| Q: I have several pieces of furniture from the 1950s that I would like to refinish. Is it safer to ... A: stripping followed by a light sanding when the surface has dried, is the preferred route. Chemical ... | |
| teak china cabinet base water stain | 10/25/2010 |
| Q: Just purchased a solid teak china hutch & base (15-20 yrs old but pristine). Covered the base with a ... A: There's really no "timeline"...as long as it's in a safe place now...it'll wait until you get to it. ... | |
| teak china cabinet base water stain | 10/24/2010 |
| Q: Just purchased a solid teak china hutch & base (15-20 yrs old but pristine). Covered the base with a ... A: ..yeah any damage or water spotting will actually look worse if you apply another coat of Teak ... | |
| stained trim | 10/23/2010 |
| Q: Our 30 year old house has stained trim through out and we need to re-do it what it the best way? I ... A: There are a few ways to accomplish this...but it depends on a few variables, for instance...how bad ... | |
| RTA kitchen cabinets | 10/21/2010 |
| Q: I am replacing kitchen cabinets. My hubby is quite handy and our budget is limited. Are RTA ... A: the camlock construction is very well designed, I have put together several different designs like ... | |
| Beadboard applied to cabinets. | 10/20/2010 |
| Q: I have looked through past forums to establish how to apply beadboard to my wood kitchen cabinet ... A: this type of applique work is exacting, and to build a frame around each panel will take miter saw ... | |
| New interior window finishes | 10/19/2010 |
| Q: What is the best finishes after staining to use on new interior windows. Polyurethane or Varnishes A: Hey Jonn, polyurethanes are varnishes, and most modern varnishes have been 'modified' with urethanes ... | |
| Matching an Ethan Allen finish | 10/19/2010 |
| Q: I need to make a custom TV stand to place between two black painted book shelves with cherry crown ... A: Hey Mark, it's most likely a lacquer finish, black lacquer and then the Cherry might be stained ... | |
| changing finish color | 10/18/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased some solid wood end tables that are a dark chocolate color. I would like to ... A: the best way would be to scuff sand them with some 220-320 sandpaper to slightly abrade the existing ... | |
| Cherry Wood Cedar Chest | 10/15/2010 |
| Q: I have a 80 year old Cherry Wood Cedar Chest. It has been passed twice through our family and has ... A: Wax buildup and grime can be removed with mineral spirits and some clean rags....you can even use ... | |
| Burnt bass guitar | 10/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a Guild bass guitar that was burned in a house fire. The body survived quite well. The ... A: Hey Mike sorry to hear about your Guild....any wood that's been burned has undergone damage at the ... | |
| Knots and blackening on pine furniture | 10/13/2010 |
| Q: I live in central Oklahoma. Following up on Jeanette's question of 1/26/08, about knots bleeding ... A: the furniture is covered in a finish, and over time woods like Pine change, they oxidize, darken, ... | |
| Peeling Furniture | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: I have an entertainment center that someone gave us. It's not the nicest piece of furniture in the ... A: this is a vinyl veneer over MDF (a fiberboard), and is really not repairable. You could glue down ... | |
| Refinishing new dresser | 10/11/2010 |
| Q: I have a new bedroom dresser. I had air freshner diffuser spill on it. The oil was wiped off but ... A: Hey Jeff, most likely there is a finish on top of the stain, usually lacquer, so you're not just ... | |
| Lacquer furniture repair | 10/11/2010 |
| Q: I have an off white modern lacquer bedroom set from the mid 80's. It's yellowing in alot of places ... A: it's really not a DIY project....but a Pro restorer could do the work for you...but it would likely ... | |
| wood selection | 10/10/2010 |
| Q: I’m going to build a 5’ high bookcase with 13” shelves and I would like to stain it, probably a ... A: Hey Bob, of all thew woods you listed, I'd have to say I'm more partial to Oaks. They are hard, ... | |
| refinishing an antique | 10/10/2010 |
| Q: I have an antique vanity on 4 legs with metal wheels. It has a lot of wear. Should I refinish or ... A: that's always a loaded question, and it's usually dependent on the condition, and the rarity/value ... | |
| Best finish for my Hoosier Cabinet | 10/8/2010 |
| Q: I'm so hoping you can answer my question....I recently purchased a Original Hoosier cabinet, I was ... A: it's really an aesthetic thing...it depends on what "look" you're after, and what level of ... | |
| refinishing wooden chairs | 10/7/2010 |
| Q: What is tung oil? I noticed in a previous answer that this was applied in 3 coats over the stain. I ... A: Tung oil is a penetrating resin that hardens like a varnish...in fact many varnishes contain "long ... | |
| stain, varnish | 10/7/2010 |
| Q: I had custom kitchen cabinets made in cherry and I wanted them stained w/ varnish. They were ... A: I'm sure if they were redone and done correctly...they'd be fine.....did you see other cabinet work ... | |
| Dining room table misalighment | 10/7/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought a 48" solid cherry dining table consisting two halves that open for insertion of ... A: Kiln dried means between 8-12% moisture content....baking in a truck in Summer heat for ten days ... | |
| Formaldehyde fumes from MDF | 10/6/2010 |
| Q: I have just spent a fortune on my 2 boys bedrooms. Wall to wall cupboards, cabinets and shelves - ... A: it's possible that 'offgassing' could be happening...but one would think the paint coats would ... | |
| Drexel 1955 China Cabinet | 10/5/2010 |
| Q: Do you think it is possible to find someone in northeast Alabama who could repair a mahogany veneer ... A: the restoration of such damage sounds like it could reach into many hundreds of dollars.....it would ... | |
| Stain removal on old oak table | 10/5/2010 |
| Q: I'm attempting to refinish the top only of an old round oak table. It was refinished in 1980 but the ... A: it's not too late, so I would use a stripper to strip the top....sanding really isn't a good idea to ... | |
| Dining room table misalighment | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought a 48" solid cherry dining table consisting two halves that open for insertion of ... A: either way...this isn't your fault, and they should be doing whatever is necessary to make it ... | |
| water damage | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: I have a mahogany dining room table and it has water damage from rain water leaking through the ... A: if the spots are white- grayish, and/or raised to the touch...it's likely you can't repair this ... | |
| refinishing a table top | 10/3/2010 |
| Q: I have an oak dining table that the shellac is starting to come off of. Can I just sand the top and ... A: are you sure it's shellac? In most cases it's a much better idea to strip the top and refinish it, ... | |
| lettering between layers of spar varnish | 10/3/2010 |
| Q: i build picnic tables on occasion and i put peoples names on them. in the past Ive made a template ... A: Hey Fred...there's a masking product called 'Frisket', that airbrushers use...it comes in sheets and ... | |
| repair wood furniture | 10/3/2010 |
| Q: I had a paper covered book on my end table. It must have gotten wet somehow, (perhaps it wasn't dry ... A: it kind of depends on what the finish is, if it's an Antique you need to be very gentle...but a ... | |
| baltic birch plywood finishing | 10/1/2010 |
| Q: I am trying to make table tops from 1/2" Baltic birch plywood. It seems flat when I get it from the ... A: Hey Scott, there's really no way to end up with flat panels, even from the main stack when you buy ... | |
| grey spots after stripping furniture | 9/30/2010 |
| Q: After using a furniture stripping product, I now have gray spots over the entire top of the table. ... A: The stripper itself seems like a Methylene Chloride stripper, and therefore wouldn't have reacted ... | |
| Edges of Wood Mode cabinets | 9/29/2010 |
| Q: Our white wood mode cabinets are 26 years old. They look great except for some yellowing around the ... A: Hey Mel, you could try a polishing agent like 3M's "One Step Cleaner Wax"....a microfine polishing ... | |
| Wood finishing | 9/29/2010 |
| Q: I have a 3 litre can of a fairly volatile wood finish. As I am an amateur woodworker I only use ... A: Hey Bill, you could decant it into a few smaller containers, thereby minimizing the airspaces,and ... | |
| dresser top | 9/28/2010 |
| Q: i have a dresser that belong to my grandmother (maple i think) but the dresser top has a small split ... A: it's more likely this is a shrinkage crack, and not likely to pull together....in such a case it has ... | |
| bathroom cabinets | 9/23/2010 |
| Q: ive tried citristrip and motsenbockers lift off. niehter worked.. can u suggest a stripper that ... A: you've undoubtedly run into a catalyzed finish, very tough and difficult to remove....are you sure ... | |
| Moulding | 9/20/2010 |
| Q: I too am about to tackle a job that I don't know too much about. I've sanded wood, Varnished, ... A: ..I guess it depends on how much finish there is to remove, (2 coats or 25)...and how easy it would ... | |
| Maple cabinets have turned orange-y | 9/20/2010 |
| Q: Checked the other maple cabinet questions but my finish is good, just the color is bad. The clear ... A: It's definitely NOT shellac....but it could be a lacquer, catalyzed lacquer, or even a conversion ... | |
| 1940's "mahogny" veneer sprucing up | 9/19/2010 |
| Q: I just bought some old drop leaf tables and 6 lyre back chairs for my new office space. They have ... A: all this stuff is likely lacquered from that era....and there is really no easy way to "spruce it ... | |
| Maple cabinets have turned orange-y | 9/18/2010 |
| Q: Checked the other maple cabinet questions but my finish is good, just the color is bad. The clear ... A: unfortunately there really is nothing you can do to fix this....it looks like it's mostly the Maple ... | |
| Removing paint | 9/16/2010 |
| Q: I bought a house & the previous owner got Yellow paint on the end of the kitchen cabinets about 1/2" ... A: There are some products designed for removing latex paint- "Oops" is one that comes to mind, and I ... | |
| Singer Sewing Machine Cabinet Refinishing | 9/16/2010 |
| Q: I have recently acquired a 1950s singer sewing maching in cabinet. The cabinet is walnut veneer (on ... A: Sorry Richard, this is what can happen when answering questions after a long day........yes it will ... | |
| staining kitchen cabinets | 9/15/2010 |
| Q: We have stated stripping the paint off of our kitchen cabinets and are staining them. A friend of ... A: what you're describing sounds like a pickled or whitewashed finish, and this technique is fairly ... | |
| headboard damage | 9/15/2010 |
| Q: My wife and I found a great platform bed and the headboard was damaged. The seller offered the bed ... A: Hey Jim, a latex filler like Elmers Carpenters wood filler stains well with the dyes, but it rarely ... | |
| new tongue and groove interior cladding | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: I have just had my porch lined from floor to ceiling with tongue and groove cladding. I intend to ... A: it really depends a lot on the look you're after as to how many steps you'll want to take. I ... | |
| what sheen and base type of polyurethane to use on kill dried pine | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: We are putting a new vanity in our bathroom constructed of kill dried pine and are unsure of what ... A: Pine is typically not a good choice for this use, it's too soft a wood, and will probably not stand ... | |
| Faded indoor cedar wall | 9/13/2010 |
| Q: I have an indoor cedar wall which I installed in the 80's,it was sealed at the time. I had a hanging ... A: Hey Joe, this is one of the drawbacks of interior solid wood paneling of Pine, Cedar, and other ... | |
| headboard damage | 9/13/2010 |
| Q: I've purchased two identical twin beds made of solid mahogany. One of the headboards has a damaged ... A: a long split like this could be successfully glued, but the missing wood needs to be replaced by ... | |
| wood finishing | 9/12/2010 |
| Q: I live in a small cabin and all the trim inside around windows, door frames, ceiling/wall joints, ... A: Anything that you could seal it with will change the color and the look, and rough Cedar would need ... | |
| Singer Sewing Machine Cabinet Refinishing | 9/12/2010 |
| Q: I have recently acquired a 1950s singer sewing maching in cabinet. The cabinet is walnut veneer (on ... A: Oxalic acid solution will remove many stains, especially black stains from water, plants, etc. on ... | |
| headboard damage | 9/11/2010 |
| Q: My wife and I found a great platform bed and the headboard was damaged. The seller offered the bed ... A: Yeah, you could refinish the whole piece around the edge, if you decide to do that, I would strip it ... | |
| headboard damage | 9/10/2010 |
| Q: My wife and I found a great platform bed and the headboard was damaged. The seller offered the bed ... A: Hey Jim, I only received one picture, and it's very hard to see the scope of the damage....unless ... | |
| Unfinished Cabinets | 9/6/2010 |
| Q: I purchased an unfinished pine cabinet from Just Cabinets. I have yet to assemble it because I am ... A: It's important to finish any cabinetry that will be used in a kitchen or bath.It will protect the ... | |
| oak mantel | 9/4/2010 |
| Q: we have a mantel in our living room that was stripped of the paint and is now back to the original ... A: The only way to get rid of the residue is to keep stripping until it's gone, using a small brass ... | |
| chest of drawers | 9/3/2010 |
| Q: We have a 30 yr old Davis Cumberland Valley bedroom set. The drawers have a center guide and the ... A: you could remove the center guide system and mount typical drawer slides on the sides of the ... | |
| cross cut tiger oak | 9/3/2010 |
| Q: I have stripped off antiquing paint on a tiger oak buffet, sanded to 220, and want to stain and ... A: Hey Dennis, there's many ways to do what you want there, but on Oak like this I prefer using Dye ... | |
| Follow up | 8/30/2010 |
| Q: I have dime to quarter size places where the veneer has popped up on my dining table. These places ... A: It sounds like damage from a really hot plate, which can heat up the glue and cause it to release ... | |
| Treating unfinished teak table | 8/30/2010 |
| Q: We recently bought an untreated teak indoor dining table. We love the fact that it's untreated and ... A: I doubt that your Teak table left the factory without at least a coat of Teak oil. If you decide not ... | |
| How to remove white heat marks from a lamanated dinning room table | 8/28/2010 |
| Q: Our table is just 9 months old and it has white marks from heat plates. The table had to been ... A: Heat marks on a finish are NOT a defect.......and they are usually caused by heat and/or moisture ... | |
| Bubbled up veneer on a dining table!!! | 8/28/2010 |
| Q: I have dime to quarter size places where the veneer has popped up on my dining table. These places ... A: there is no easy solution for this, especially if it's in multiple areas. It's also likely that the ... | |
| varnish | 8/27/2010 |
| Q: I spilled the scented oil with sticks on my dresser which is a deep brown varnish. The varnish came ... A: it's much more likely your dresser is lacquered...Varnish would have probably survived this type of ... | |
| Kitchen Maple set | 8/26/2010 |
| Q: I have a really nice maple set that unfortunately suffered water damage from a leaky cottage roof - ... A: stripping it with varnish remover is the correct and most thorough way to ready it for a new finish. ... | |
| furniture refinishing | 8/26/2010 |
| Q: I have an old triple dresser that I would like to refinish. The furniture is predominantly cream ... A: Ahh...ok, trends here in 2010, don't really mean much I don't think.Cream or off White is definitely ... | |
| furniture refinishing | 8/26/2010 |
| Q: I have an old triple dresser that I would like to refinish. The furniture is predominantly cream ... A: much of this furniture is made with inferior woods like Poplar, soft Maple, etc., because they knew ... | |
| Lacquer China Cabinet | 8/25/2010 |
| Q: By way of a real estate deal I now own a beautiful china cabinet. In decent condition. But it is a ... A: if the finish is intact, not chipping, peeling, etc.....you can clean it well,(mineral spirits and ... | |
| table finish is sticky | 8/25/2010 |
| Q: Hoping you can help! I bought a table (new) from JCPenney about 5 years ago... it is a kitchen set ... A: what do you clean the table with...your regular cleaning regimen? Some cleaners can attack the ... | |
| Old parlor set? | 8/22/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought a parlor set and the previous owner didn't know anything about it. It has lions ... A: Interesting looking set,They don't look like Walnut or Mahogany, and to me they look around 60 years ... | |
| stripped screw | 8/20/2010 |
| Q: I am changing the knobs on my dresser drawer... I removed and added most of them with no problem.. ... A: never heard of the rubber band trick.....in a situation like this,if you can't wedge the screw head ... | |
| stripping stair molding | 8/20/2010 |
| Q: I just finished painting the risers and molding just under the tread of new oak stairs. I wish I had ... A: it's always harder to go backwards...the best way is to remove the molding..there's no way you'll be ... | |
| CONVERSION VARNISH | 8/18/2010 |
| Q: HAVE YOU EVER HAD A PROBLEM USING 100% SILICONE CAULK TO CAULK IN TILE BACK SPLASH ONTO KITCHEN ... A: Hey Mike, Please turn off the caps, as it makes it seem like you're yelling....Silicone contains ... | |
| coffee stain removal on painted kitchen cabinet | 8/18/2010 |
| Q: staying at sister's beach house and had a coffee maker overflow all over counter and down her new ... A: please don't smear mayonaise, peanut butter or other foods on finishes....it really doesn't help ... | |
| front door | 8/17/2010 |
| Q: In summer, due to the rising temperature in our Island, the door (or rather) door lock becomes too ... A: It's more likely the humidity of the island air...that makes it swell. Have you had the Carpenter ... | |
| Brush Marks | 8/17/2010 |
| Q: I have refinished an Armoire from the 1950's. It is made of red cedar. I used Minwax products. I am ... A: the key to no brush marks, is to avoid them during the application. A high quality brush, and good ... | |
| restoring the finish on old side chairs | 8/16/2010 |
| Q: I am trying to restore the finish on a set of four side chairs. I'm not sure how old they ... A: No, ....shellac will stick to almost anything, especially dewaxed shellac...but the oil stain may ... | |
| refinishing a gunstock | 8/15/2010 |
| Q: I have an older rifle that appears to have been refinished with lacquer or varnish, aside from ... A: sure, you can use a chemical stripper to remove the finish if that's what you want to do....or if ... | |
| restoring the finish on old side chairs | 8/14/2010 |
| Q: I am trying to restore the finish on a set of four side chairs. I'm not sure how old they ... A: It's likely the chairs are finished in lacquer if they are commercially produced furniture...shellac ... | |
| new fir door finishing | 8/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a brand new clad fir door, so the inside needs a finish. I don't really want to stain it ... A: Hey Rob, A waterborne Acrylic Urethane will be "water white" meaning it dries clear with no ambering ... | |
| painting over whitewashed cabinets | 8/12/2010 |
| Q: I just bought a whitewashed kitchen cabinet set from green demolitions and I am unhappy with the ... A: they are Oak, so the grain will show through the paint....just so you're aware of that...but start ... | |
| wood staining | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: I used formby's Mediterranean oak wiping stain several years ago and wish to match the color to some ... A: What stains are you looking at? You can combine colors to arrive at a perfect match, but that takes ... | |
| refinishing vanity | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: The old oak front frame and drawer fronts have been sanded and I am interested in a high gloss ... A: No, spraying is the way to the best, smoothest, finish, but it does take some technique to do ... | |
| stained maple doors | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: I just stained some maple doors with a dark stain. These have a detailed routered edge. Half of ... A: after the stain coat has dried, simply apply another coat to the lighter edges....now this will work ... | |
| wood staining | 8/9/2010 |
| Q: I used formby's Mediterranean oak wiping stain several years ago and wish to match the color to some ... A: You'll likely have to experiment with other stains, especially because most oil stains have been ... | |
| refinishing vanity | 8/9/2010 |
| Q: The old oak front frame and drawer fronts have been sanded and I am interested in a high gloss ... A: Dull? If you're using a gloss product, shaking it well before and during use, you should end up with ... | |
| Danish modern teak desk | 8/7/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased a mid-century teak desk with water damage on top. I read through some of the ... A: that's Teak...you can tell by the style of the piece, grain and the color. Red Oak is not brown, and ... | |
| Bathroom Cabinet | 8/4/2010 |
| Q: I have sanded down my bathroom cabinet. The front is oak, and I applied a stain, but didn't notice a ... A: You can try applying more stain, waiting a few minutes and the re-wipe it off.....that should work ... | |
| Furniture Refinishing | 8/4/2010 |
| Q: I've found your page and found it to be a fabulous resource. I just happen to be one of "those ... A: Hey Jim, 70 hours to do 2 doors? That's almost 2-40 hour weeks... I think that is a little ... | |
| Repair or refinish oak veneer | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased a used curio cabinet made of oak and oak veneer over particle board. It is a ... A: it the ring is dark, then it's likely from wetness.Oak discolors with wetness.Oxalic Acid solution ... | |
| Changing the color on piece of wood furniture | 8/2/2010 |
| Q: I have a piece of wood furniture that I would like to change the color on. It appears to be stained ... A: It's most likely lacquer over stain, and it would need to be chemically stripped with stripper, (or ... | |
| Painting Maple furniture | 8/2/2010 |
| Q: I have a four poster full sized bed that has belonged to me for 60 years. I want to strip it and ... A: Unfortunately, all spray paints are NOT going to be toxic free in their liquid state, but the ... | |
| staining wood filler | 7/31/2010 |
| Q: My wife just made a molding repair on an old vanity. It looks very nice but she is having problems ... A: not sure I can reverse this in less than 12 hrs....Polyshades is not a stain, but technically a ... | |
| Painting Maple furniture | 7/30/2010 |
| Q: I have a four poster full sized bed that has belonged to me for 60 years. I want to strip it and ... A: if the finish is intact, no chipping, flaking, etc., then you can clean it well, prime it and paint ... | |
| finish on cherry cabinet | 7/29/2010 |
| Q: I'm building a roll around butcher block cabinet. Trying to match as closely as possible my existing ... A: I was able to only see one picture, but that sure looks like a typical, toned, Cat Lac finish to me. ... | |
| finish on cherry cabinet | 7/27/2010 |
| Q: I'm building a roll around butcher block cabinet. Trying to match as closely as possible my existing ... A: trying to match an existing finish, on Cherry which darkens and changes over time with UV exposure, ... | |
| Staining Whitewash wood | 7/26/2010 |
| Q: I have two beautiful pieces of whitewash furniture that I would like to change to match my other ... A: it depends on the type of wood the pieces are, and your finishing abilities...it's pretty advanced ... | |
| Yellowing of Kitchen Cabinets | 7/25/2010 |
| Q: they are in excellent condition. If not, need to redesign and replace and appreciate your advise ... A: If the yellowing is all over the cabinets (uniform), then it is the finish....but some of these MDF ... | |
| Staining Kitchen Cabinets | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: Were looking to re stain some outdated cabinets that need some updating. Currently we have Oak ... A: in order to change the color of Oak cabinets, (or any cabinet that's finished), you would need to ... | |
| best finish for drawing board? | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought an architect's drawing board for 5$ at a yard sale. The top was warped and split ... A: you could use an oil/varnish product like WaterLox...a great finish that's super easy to apply, or a ... | |
| rubber feet has chemical reaction w/dresser | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: I have a white dresser with some kind of lacquer or laminate on it. It feels smooth. A cd player ... A: this is a common issue, and usually results from plasticizers migrating into the finish from the ... | |
| Peeling clear coat on Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinets | 7/21/2010 |
| Q: I have two questions on peeling clear coat/varnish applied to Maple Fronted cabinets. The cabinets ... A: the peeling is not from the light, it is from moisture. Depending on what the finish was, it could ... | |
| Yellowing of Kitchen Cabinets | 7/20/2010 |
| Q: they are in excellent condition. If not, need to redesign and replace and appreciate your advise ... A: usually yellowing is a result of older Urethane finishes, or heavy smokers, and often can't easily ... | |
| veneer table top | 7/16/2010 |
| Q: I had grain raising on a almost new table top and decided to put a better polyurethane coat on it. ... A: These look like "witness" lines to me, where you sanded through the finish exposing either the next ... | |
| Stringing | 7/15/2010 |
| Q: I wish to put some boxwood stringing into a chair toprail . What would be the best method of doing ... A: this is pretty advanced woodworking, and needs to be done accurately, but a scratch stock is a good ... | |
| veneer table top | 7/14/2010 |
| Q: I had grain raising on a almost new table top and decided to put a better polyurethane coat on it. ... A: uh-oh- this looks pretty bad......please tell me again what steps you took.Was this a newly ... | |
| tambour door on kitchen cabinet garage | 7/12/2010 |
| Q: My tambour door closes ok, but immediately starts creeping open as soon as I let go of it, until ... A: has it always done this? If the tambour used was oversized, the weight may tend to pull it back I ... | |
| kitchen cabinet finish | 7/11/2010 |
| Q: I have Schuller wood kitchen cabinets (Savannah Maple; color Champagne, Burnished) that are factory ... A: it's likely that your non use of stronger cleansers is good for the finish, but might not be ... | |
| free westinghouse sewing machine | 7/9/2010 |
| Q: style no 955902-f how much can i sell this for? greate shape and it works,ready to sell it but dont ... A: I have no idea about value of sewing machines- there are many other resources via Google though, but ... | |
| Refinish/Polish old oak dining set | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: I have a oak dining table, chairs and china cabinet. It is about 10 years old from Seaman's ... A: it is likely lacquered, and therefore restoration/refinishing is pretty specialized repair work ... | |
| water stained veneer top | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: I recently took ownership of a beautiful old extension table that has the worst water marked veneer ... A: The first thing to do is chemically strip it with stripper. Then you can mix up some Oxalic acid ... | |
| refinishing veneer table and hutch | 7/6/2010 |
| Q: I have a veneer table and hutch that need refinished. I believe the wood and wood veneer are ash. ... A: regardless of what steps you decide to take, stripping the old finish is the best course of action ... | |
| water stained veneer top | 7/5/2010 |
| Q: I recently took ownership of a beautiful old extension table that has the worst water marked veneer ... A: this looks like more than water staining to me....and if it's a veneer top, I wouldn't advise ... | |
| restoring a pine table top | 7/3/2010 |
| Q: We have a pine trestle table, about 40 years old...so not really an antique but made in the style of ... A: Masking tape residue can be removed with either alcohol or maybe "Goof off", and if the finish is an ... | |
| Restoration of Dried Mahogany Door | 6/25/2010 |
| Q: I live in an arid desert climate near Las Vegas and just bought a home with a beautiful, but sun ... A: you can't really restore "moisture" to the wood when something is this weathered. In your ... | |
| restorz it problem | 6/25/2010 |
| Q: I wish I read your article before using this bad product. My wood is sticky so how can I remove this ... A: it's not likely you can remove it without stripping the entire piece now. Restorzit recommends floor ... | |
| Kitchen Cabinets with Lacquer | 6/23/2010 |
| Q: I have maple kitchen cabinets, some are refaced maple and some were built new about 7 years ago. ... A: this is not a 'do it yourself' project I'm afraid. If the original finish is failing all over then ... | |
| drawers dont fit, is there hardware I can use? | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: I have a small cabinet with 5 drawers that have no runners or drawer guides.(standard frame ... A: This cabinet is constructed to narrowly to allow for the drawers to ever be stable. An upper guide ... | |
| Wood Stove Smell in Dressers | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: We purchased two dressers at a garage sale, got them home and they smell like the wood stove! Have ... A: smoke odor can be difficult to remove completely.Professionals use counteractants, some enzyme ... | |
| furniture painting | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: I have 5 pieces of furniture for my bedroom I want to paint white. Some pieces have a finish and ... A: I have used Ben Moore paints to paint cabinets, furniture, trim, mantles....I like the Satin Impervo ... | |
| drawers dont fit, is there hardware I can use? | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: I have a small cabinet with 5 drawers that have no runners or drawer guides.(standard frame ... A: Hey Dave, those sure look like drawer runners in the pictures....but there may be upper guides ... | |
| Water damage to dresser top | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: Is there any way a dresser top can be repaired from water damage. Part of my dresser top is made ... A: If the pressboard has swelled, it can't be repaired, and if the top is pressboard then likely the ... | |
| Building a Large Storage Cabinet | 6/20/2010 |
| Q: I am Building a large storage cabinet with external dimensions of 60"wide by 24" deep, and 78" tall. ... A: Hey Sam, Oak is probably easier to get a nice stained finish on, as Birch and Maple can get the ... | |
| Painting Oak Cabinets | 6/20/2010 |
| Q: I currently have oak cabinets and would like to change the color of them. I am not a fan of the ... A: a pore filler can only be used on bare, unfinished wood if you really hope to fill the pores to the ... | |
| Wood laminate kitchen cabinet damage | 6/18/2010 |
| Q: I had a grease fire in a pan and it splattered onto my kitchen cabinet door and left a good dark ... A: is this in fact a laminate? If the cabinets have a good factory applied finish, then it's likely the ... | |
| how to repair table top | 6/17/2010 |
| Q: By accident we spelled a couple drops of nail polish remover on top of our dinning table. It is a ... A: Unfortunately, this sounds like damage that will need refinishing, especially if some of the color ... | |
| wood recognition | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: I am looking to buy a guitar from USA (im in UK) which is part built unfinished project. We (the ... A: While always difficult to tell by photos, it does look like the body is flat sawn Walnut, and the ... | |
| bi-fold closet door repair | 6/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a bi-fold closet door that came off top frame track. It looks like "pin" that goes in track ... A: typically these pins are spring loaded and the spring can disintegrate or weaken so the pin doesn't ... | |
| furniture painting | 6/11/2010 |
| Q: I have 5 pieces of furniture for my bedroom I want to paint white. Some pieces have a finish and ... A: to paint without brush strokes one needs to use something other than a brush. Spraying is the best ... | |
| making wood kitchen items water-resistant | 6/8/2010 |
| Q: I am planning to buy a folding wooden dish drainer rack, and would like to extend its life by ... A: you can apply something like WaterLox "Original" or "Marine", (which is very glossy)....but it will ... | |
| Teak table refinishing | 6/3/2010 |
| Q: You were kind enough to provide instruction re stripping and cleaning my teak dining table and now I ... A: Hey Tim, Teak does not really lend itself to that kind of a finish....you'll need a pigment to mask ... | |
| Dining Table | 6/2/2010 |
| Q: I have a dining room table that is to big to fit in my dining room so I was wondering if there was ... A: Typically, it's not advisable to use interior furniture in an outside environment. It's just not ... | |
| Chalky material on wood | 5/31/2010 |
| Q: We recently moved into a house where in the dining room there are wood panels (see picture). On ... A: Hard to tell, but this looks like someone applied a finish over an incompatible finish or over a ... | |
| Stripping dark stain off blond dresser | 5/31/2010 |
| Q: My parents bought a blond (very light) bedroom set in 1951 new. I have the dresser but the problem ... A: it sounds like stripping it would be the best course of action. I use Citristrip a lot, as it's ... | |
| natural teak oil instead of boat teak oil | 5/30/2010 |
| Q: I have a houseful of Danish modern teak furniture. For years I have been using coconut scented teak ... A: One of the tricks one can use on a piece like this is to 'wet sand' with the oil finish. If the ... | |
| Protecting rough, stained furniture | 5/30/2010 |
| Q: I live in Mexico and recently purchased about a dozen pieces of "rustic" furniture. The pieces are ... A: it really depends on what is on the furniture now....is there any way to find out? Often this type ... | |
| Bad smell new furniture | 5/30/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Scholl, my husband and I purchased a Tradewins brand sleigh bed made out of what they say is ... A: certain woods can have an odor, as well as certain finishes....my guess is that this bed was not ... | |
| natural teak oil instead of boat teak oil | 5/27/2010 |
| Q: I have a houseful of Danish modern teak furniture. For years I have been using coconut scented teak ... A: never knew they made 'scented' Teak oil....but even scented, it likely still had the same solvents ... | |
| oak staircase | 5/27/2010 |
| Q: We have acquired an old house probably 1890's which we rent. There is a lot of black grime on the ... A: Oil soap leaves residue that can interfere with recoating or refinishing, I would just use mineral ... | |
| Cabinet refinishing | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: I am refinishing our solid core plywood maple cabinets built in the 1960's and replacing a couple of ... A: did you strip the old cabinets? Often a lot of the color is from oxidation and UV light, and trying ... | |
| I'm looking for an expert floor refinisher | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: who is knowledgeable about stripping and bleaching hardwood floors and doors. I am an interior ... A: I can't recommend anyone to you, as I am not familiar with that area. I would talk with some local ... | |
| How to treat bare wood | 5/20/2010 |
| Q: We recently have a new staircase installed for the loft extension. It is hardwood and bare at the ... A: I think trying to match it is a good idea, but wax as a finish isn't very resilient....and once you ... | |
| Cedar Ceiling | 5/20/2010 |
| Q: Need advice on best way to treat cedar tongue and groove. Application is outside porch ceiling. ... A: NO ..urethanes are a surface film...the thing you do NOT want to do on Cedar, Ipe, Teak, ... | |
| Damaged Furniture | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: I Recently Bought A Bunk Bed. I Did Not Realize Till A Few Days Later On One Side There Were Many ... A: probably something in a "medium" brown....and a touch up pen would be the easiest, but results could ... | |
| How to treat bare wood | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: We recently have a new staircase installed for the loft extension. It is hardwood and bare at the ... A: my suspicion is that there was more than just wax on the original stairs....wax a lone does not ... | |
| Cedar Ceiling | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: Need advice on best way to treat cedar tongue and groove. Application is outside porch ceiling. ... A: a penetrating oil product is probably the best bet, but be aware that Cedar, (especially old and/or ... | |
| wood fence | 5/14/2010 |
| Q: .i am thinking of putting up a wood fence in the back yard, and am wondering what kind of wood is ... A: No-No...they make fencing from solid vinyl....and other plastics as well...some recycled products ... | |
| Painting Cabinets | 5/13/2010 |
| Q: I acquired a very nice set of oak cabinets. Currently they have some kind of whitewash or pickling ... A: you could apply a clear coat to the painted finish, and it would likely add durability and ... | |
| Painting Cabinets | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: I acquired a very nice set of oak cabinets. Currently they have some kind of whitewash or pickling ... A: If this is just a small kitchen, you can use a good spray paint like Krylon, as spraying will always ... | |
| Table top question | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: Ok, I have got this idea for making a table. Im trying to get an interesting finish but trying to ... A: Even with a thicker plywood top, this type of construction is not going to result in a table that ... | |
| Table top question | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: Ok, I have got this idea for making a table. Im trying to get an interesting finish but trying to ... A: This type of construction will not yield a very strong structure, and by making the glass panel part ... | |
| paint for garden bench | 5/7/2010 |
| Q: i have painted white gloss paint on garden bench over originall wood paint, i first painted with red ... A: there is no easy way to get back to the original finish...it takes a lot of work to strip all that ... | |
| maple stain | 5/7/2010 |
| Q: i plunged right in and stained my maple top guitar with an oil base stain and got the uber ... A: Hey Josh, unfortunately there's really no way to "unblotch"...once you've committed to staining the ... | |
| New furniture Fix | 5/7/2010 |
| Q: My wife and I just bought some new bedroom furniture. Some how we got something on it in a small ... A: If the finish is actually dissolved in that area and coming off, you'll likely have to refinish the ... | |
| re doing waterbed frame | 5/6/2010 |
| Q: We have an old over 20 year old hard side water bed frame that I have sanded most of the finish off ... A: don't use rubber cement ...I think what you're referring to is Hide glue which is used to cause ... | |
| white cabinets | 5/4/2010 |
| Q: We are in the process of building a home and I am wanting white cabinets in my kitchen. Our cabinet ... A: Thermofoil is yet another finish, typically on lesser quality cabinets and furniture....what I'm ... | |
| white cabinets | 5/4/2010 |
| Q: We are in the process of building a home and I am wanting white cabinets in my kitchen. Our cabinet ... A: Yes, real wood, plywoods, etc....anyone can make a decent cabinet, but the finishes are what set ... | |
| white cabinets | 5/4/2010 |
| Q: We are in the process of building a home and I am wanting white cabinets in my kitchen. Our cabinet ... A: painted cabinets will not be very durable, and you'll be lucky to get 5 years out of them before ... | |
| painting kitchen cabinets | 5/1/2010 |
| Q: Woodmode, pine cabinetry - finished in a medium wood tone finish, not currently painted. How do I ... A: they need to be thoroughly cleaned with a degreasing cleaner, then scuff sanded with some 320-400 ... | |
| annual sealing of wood cabinets | 4/30/2010 |
| Q: We have a winter home in AZ that is vacant 5 months per year. Is is necessary to oil or treat the ... A: if these are typical factory made kitchen cabinets, they have a very tough catalyzed finish on them, ... | |
| Need petroleum-free finish on cabinets | 4/29/2010 |
| Q: I'm putting in new oak cabinets in my kitchen and looking for petroleum-free finish because I am ... A: many of the modern high tech finishes that Kitchen cabinet manufacturers are using now are ... | |
| Painting entire dining room set | 4/29/2010 |
| Q: Greg, I have a dining room set which includes a table, 6 chairs, and a china hutch that is ... A: Good prep is imperative if you hope for the finish to wear well and last. A Pro finisher would not ... | |
| Aging a new vanity | 4/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a new bathroom vanity that has a cherry stain and finish. I have a 1920's Spanish style room ... A: it's possible, perhaps, but if this is a newly purchased vanity, you're dealing with an extremely ... | |
| correcting the color of a wood stain | 4/28/2010 |
| Q: My floor finisher used the wrong stain on my newly sanded oak floors, making the color much more ... A: Unfortunately, the amount of color you'd have to apply to affect a change would start to obscure the ... | |
| Painting entire dining room set | 4/27/2010 |
| Q: Greg, I have a dining room set which includes a table, 6 chairs, and a china hutch that is ... A: in my opinion there is no such thing as an inexpensive spray gun that would get you the fine finish ... | |
| About Mdf | 4/26/2010 |
| Q: whether the plywood are Eco friendly as compare to MDF ? and also can you explain me how the MDF is ... A: Some plywoods are more 'eco' friendly than others...it will vary by manufacturer and Country of ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: cabinets are a pickled oak. The sides that receives the most direct light. I have now about three ... A: there's not much you can do, unfortunately, unless you have some pretty good finishing 'chops'...UV ... | |
| Flush wooden drawer slides | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: Scholl, I have a Scandinavian style dresser with flush wooden drawer slides, i.e. zero clearance ... A: These are always a problem when they suffer this much wear, and there really isn't a 'zero ... | |
| Finishing bar top | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: I have a question regarding on what to use as a clear finish for the bar topper that I am building. ... A: the only thing I see working here would be a pour on epoxy coating that will fill all the gaps and ... | |
| Scratched Blonde Furniture | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: We have some inherited 'blonde' furniture that within the last few years, has been scratched #some ... A: When you say 'blonde' is this a completely clear finish, or is it a 'toned' blonde finish that has ... | |
| restaining maple cabinets | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: We need help! We recently installed brand new kitchen cabinets. We had an area where the old ... A: At this point I would bite the bullet and get the prefinished material.Just beware that when you cut ... | |
| restaining maple cabinets | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: We need help! We recently installed brand new kitchen cabinets. We had an area where the old ... A: this is a common problem when people think they can match a factory applied, high tech finish like ... | |
| Cleaning a butcher block top | 4/19/2010 |
| Q: I have a kitchen island with a butcher block which is 36 X 24. I purchased it at a Second Use ... A: Hey Jeff, the only way to do this to a sticky block is to hand scrape it with a sharp cabinet ... | |
| ALDER "BLOTCHING" | 4/18/2010 |
| Q: BOY DO I NEED SOME HELP. WE ARE ABOUT TO START A NEW JOB STAINING OF NEW ALDER CABINETS THROUGH OUT ... A: Hey Tim, first of all,please do not type in all cap's...it makes it appear as if you're ... | |
| lacquer finishes | 4/15/2010 |
| Q: Greg-we just bought new end tables with a lacquer finish top from an office furniture supply store. ... A: You can try a furniture touch up marker on the scratch, but lacquer can be difficult to touch up ... | |
| refinishing cedar planked wall | 4/14/2010 |
| Q: 2 interior walls that are covered in unfinished, cedar planking with knots are discolored, looking ... A: Cedar is so soft that it is difficult to stain. It soaks it up like a sponge and therefore it's ... | |
| floor polish on floor board/ woodworks | 4/13/2010 |
| Q: I have hardwood floors throughout my house with glossy white woodworks. As a result of squirting a ... A: It will depend on how good a match your color is...and I'm not aware of a 'touch up pen' for paint ... | |
| Leathertop table restoration | 4/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a leathertop table that is probably about 60 - 70 years old. The top is smooth, but there ... A: what you're seeing is likely hairline cracks in the finish over the lacquer. It's likely lacquered, ... | |
| Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets | 4/13/2010 |
| Q: we are considering refinishing our dated (15 yrs old) kitchen cabinets (made of oak). The cabinets ... A: it would entail completely stripping the old finish down to the wood with chemical stripper. A HUGE ... | |
| Wood table finish | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: I was applying a stain remover product called Carbona to tablecloth stains while the tablecloth was ... A: If the table is a finished (meaning lacquer,varnish, shellac etc.) table...and not an Antique that ... | |
| oak cabinets | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: I hate my yellowed oak cabinets, however, I don't want to just throw them away. They are raised ... A: first of all, sanding down a cabinet finish is not the proper way to go about prepping for ... | |
| Rocker recliner springs | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: I have a new rocker recliner that the left side dual spring coil that controls the rocking motion ... A: Hey Bill...you say this is a new chair...why not go back to the dealer that sold it to you? This ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 4/11/2010 |
| Q: I am moving,and am trying to do something with the kitchen cabinets before I move in,they were ... A: hmmm...knowing that would have saved me a bit of typing, maybe I just read it wrong...lol. You ... | |
| Cutting upper cabinets for higher clearance | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: We have recently purchased a new home and we are planning kitchen refacing. We will order new doors ... A: from what I see there is no way to get more clearance here. This arrangement of essentially 'double' ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: I am moving,and am trying to do something with the kitchen cabinets before I move in,they were ... A: I wouldn't recommend you even get involved, if you're moving....did you sell the house? the new ... | |
| Wood table finish | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: I was applying a stain remover product called Carbona to tablecloth stains while the tablecloth was ... A: Lemon oil is really mostly white mineral oil, and since I'm having trouble locating an MSDS on that ... | |
| Burn mark on top of my pine table | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: Unfortunately I have burnt my pine kitchen table. I put a hot dish on it and now the wood looks ... A: if the wood is actually burned, the table will have to be stripped, sanded and refinished, or more, ... | |
| Kitchen Cabinets | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: We are trying to find a way to fit a new fridge into our somewhat limiting smaller (height) opening. ... A: typically, no. Unless there is a soffit above the cabinet to reduce. If there is a way, it is ... | |
| gasoline/fuel smell on dresser imported from India | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: Scholl: We recently purchased a dresser that was constructed in India for use in our home. There is ... A: I have seen this many times, and there's no easy solution. It may actually have been rubbed with ... | |
| Rough Cut Fireplace Mantle | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased a 14" x 6" x 72" piece of rough cut maple that I am going to mount on my stone ... A: sorry about the late reply, I've been sick....the most important issue is whether the piece is ... | |
| Teak Bench | 4/4/2010 |
| Q: I just purchased a new AAA rated solid teak bench. The bench is untreated. I plan in using the ... A: you could try a dye stain like Generals Waterborne dye, but the bench would likely not take any ... | |
| converting indoor furniture for outdoor | 4/2/2010 |
| Q: We are building an outdoor kitchen. To save money, I'd like to convert some indoor furniture to ... A: it may last a while, if you're finishing a solid wood piece, but interior furniture is made with ... | |
| Desk drawer removal | 3/31/2010 |
| Q: I furnished my study with scandinavian (Danish)furniture from "Indoor furniture" in Columbia, MD. ... A: without seeing the slides, I can't really help except to say that they most likely do come apart. ... | |
| new cabinets wrong finish | 3/30/2010 |
| Q: I am currently having new cabinets installed, how ever they were sent in the wrong finish. The ... A: the newer catalyzed lacquers and urethanes are a bit flatter in sheen in some cases, what did you ... | |
| glazing existing cabinets | 3/29/2010 |
| Q: just wondering if it is fairly easy to glaze over a finished cabinet? I believe they are maple (non ... A: Again, smearing a glaze on an existing catalyzed finish will leave behind a flatter surface that ... | |
| floor polish on floor board/ woodworks | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: I have hardwood floors throughout my house with glossy white woodworks. As a result of squirting a ... A: there is no way to remove this, once cured,without risking the finish underneath. The good news is ... | |
| glazing existing cabinets | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: just wondering if it is fairly easy to glaze over a finished cabinet? I believe they are maple (non ... A: it is not recommended to do any finishing over one of these factory finishes. They are similar to an ... | |
| wood-mode cabinets | 3/26/2010 |
| Q: I have 10 year old cherry wood-mode kitchen cabinets and trim. The finish is natural with a dark ... A: They're likely sprayed with a catalyzed finish, and that's not easy to repair...and one should NOT ... | |
| Finishing a cupboard | 3/26/2010 |
| Q: A friend just made me a beautiful oak & poplar cupboard/pantry for my kitchen. The kitchen has all ... A: He could have used Birch or Maple for the panels...that would've been a better match and easy to ... | |
| wood-mode cabinets | 3/25/2010 |
| Q: I have 10 year old cherry wood-mode kitchen cabinets and trim. The finish is natural with a dark ... A: what type of floor cleaner are we talking about? it's likely that what you're seeing is damage to ... | |
| Finishing a cupboard | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: A friend just made me a beautiful oak & poplar cupboard/pantry for my kitchen. The kitchen has all ... A: You should have had them made from the same wood. Oak and Poplar have very different grain and ... | |
| oil based | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: Refinishing a built in desk for my daughter. I've stripped off the old paint ( a mixture of latex ... A: a good oil enamel will be pretty durable,I use a catalyzed Acrylic Urethane over paint in some ... | |
| Types of woods for Kitchen cabinets | 3/23/2010 |
| Q: I would like to know your advice in regards to types of woods for kitchen cabinets; we were looking ... A: are we talking ready made factory cabinets here? or are you having them made? Cedar is too soft for ... | |
| wood rocker/glider with looseness in side to side movement | 3/22/2010 |
| Q: Greg. I have a second-hand wood rocker/glider with matching ottoman and there is a lot of side to ... A: often broken parts means the entire frame is loose or somethings broken,( like a tenon) that allows ... | |
| Finishing a cupboard | 3/22/2010 |
| Q: A friend just made me a beautiful oak & poplar cupboard/pantry for my kitchen. The kitchen has all ... A: there are several techniques that can give you this 'Antiqued' look, usually a dirt colored glaze ... | |
| staining/finishing easel | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: Greetings! I bought an easel from a store that is very similar, if not exact, to the picture I ... A: this easel is probably finished....most all wood items like this are always sealed and/or finished ... | |
| Rosewood Furniture w/ Shiny Finish | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: My dining room table has white spots (from hot cups being placed on it). I have tried several ... A: ..One should never smear mayonaise, peanut butter, etc. on ones furniture...the only thing they can ... | |
| cedar chest in pieces | 3/18/2010 |
| Q: Greetings, Before his recent death, my dad and I restored 4 cedar chests of varied sizes. All were ... A: not sure how to guide you, what exactly do you need help with? You'll need to just disassemble and ... | |
| Thomasville table | 3/18/2010 |
| Q: I have a Thomasville dining room table and I put a plastic cover on it not knowing it would ruin the ... A: not too sure how to advise you without being able to inspect it. Plasticizers from Vinyl, and other ... | |
| refinishing maple furniture | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: I have my mother-in-law's old maple dining room set that needs refinishing. I have refinished oak ... A: the only semi-difficult part with Maple can be staining, as it tends to 'blotch' a bit more, but ... | |
| Identifying the problem | 3/16/2010 |
| Q: By reading through several of your posts on “chipping” issues, I assume that what I am looking at ... A: I only received one picture, but this almost looks like a Polyester finish....what's the history of ... | |
| low lustre - durable finish | 3/16/2010 |
| Q: I am in the midst of doing another kitchen reno. This time I decided to buy all the cabinets as ... A: what you're seeking is really a sprayed on catalyzed Urethane or cat. Lacquer/Varnish type finish ... | |
| door stripping | 3/16/2010 |
| Q: I had two 1930s varnished doors stripped by a local company. I expected them to be returned stripped ... A: it will depend on what chemicals they are using for stripping, and what method. Tank stripping is ... | |
| humidor cabinet | 3/15/2010 |
| Q: I am looking for plans to build a 1000 to 2000 cigar humidor cabinet. Do you know were i could find ... A: I have never seen a plan for a humidor this big, most are for tabletop Humidors.... the materials, ... | |
| White furniture repair | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: We purchased children's furniture from a retailer about 18 months ago. The furniture is linen white ... A: this could be a transfer of the pasticizers from the radios rubber feet into the finish, and you may ... | |
| repair finish on a dining room table | 3/10/2010 |
| Q: Scholl, I returned home to find a area of about 4X3 inches where the top layer of finish has ... A: It sounds like it went down to the sealer coat if it hasn't altered the color, and then it is ... | |
| repair finish on a dining room table | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: Scholl, I returned home to find a area of about 4X3 inches where the top layer of finish has ... A: trying to do a spot repair on a dining table is extremely difficult. There really is no 'trick', ... | |
| Changing the color of oal whitwash cabinets. | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: I have oak white washed cabinets that I would like to stain to a more modern darker color. I would ... A: I get this question a lot, and there's no easy way to do what you want to do. The finish has to be ... | |
| Basswood table | 3/8/2010 |
| Q: First of all, I am a novice but I don't expect professional results. Just good results! I have a ... A: All of the oil finishes will be fairly stinky because of the solvents. It's hard to get the look of ... | |
| Basswood table | 3/6/2010 |
| Q: First of all, I am a novice but I don't expect professional results. Just good results! I have a ... A: it's likely not Basswood, but Maple, or something similar, but the best way to prep any finished ... | |
| White blotches on Oak after staining | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: My husband is making a table out of oak, solid oak. After or during staining, he noticed random ... A: hmmmm...this looks like glue residue to me...any areas that glue is allowed to dry on, even diluted ... | |
| water stain on teak | 3/3/2010 |
| Q: My espensive teak dining table has a light -- not dark -- water stain on it from water leakage from ... A: most stains are dark because they're usually the result of a plant....and the minerals and ... | |
| Cleaning furniture | 3/2/2010 |
| Q: What is the best product, either store bought or homemade, to use to clean old sticky furniture ... A: this may be a sign of finish deterioration, not just polish build up.Usually wax and polish build up ... | |
| new/old kitchen cabinets | 3/2/2010 |
| Q: we purchased new hickory sunset Kraftmaid cabinets to add to our 7 yr old kraftmaid hickory sunset ... A: You'll spend a lot trying to have these refinished, and likely within a year they will not look the ... | |
| White blotches on Oak after staining | 3/2/2010 |
| Q: My husband is making a table out of oak, solid oak. After or during staining, he noticed random ... A: Are they white?....or just lighter, as in just taking the stain differently? Typically you can ... | |
| new/old kitchen cabinets | 3/1/2010 |
| Q: we purchased new hickory sunset Kraftmaid cabinets to add to our 7 yr old kraftmaid hickory sunset ... A: ...Man, I get this question a lot....and I always wish I could give you the answer you would like to ... | |
| Baumritter maple bed frame | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a bed frame with Buamritter on a brass foil tag and a maple leaf ink stamped on an inside ... A: I believe the story is that Baumritter was the founder of Ethan Allen, or bought it or something ... | |
| Refinishing pine table top | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: I bought a farm-style dining table with barn wood pine planks. The top was very bumpy so I had ... A: Just a damp rag followed by HAND DRYING EVERYTIME....should maintain it....you can clean it any time ... | |
| Trestle Table | 2/27/2010 |
| Q: I have an Ethan Allen Trestle Dining Room Table (Colors Coll). I got a couple of light scratches on ... A: Some commercial waxes for cars have polishing compounds in them, which physically 'polish' the ... | |
| Formby's finish | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: Years ago (10+) I refinished a laminated rifle stock with a formby's finish. It came in a white ... A: Hey Art, sounds like Formby's Tung Oil Finish, and it's still available. Ace hardware still sells ... | |
| Wood Finish | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: A friend of ours bought a new cherry wood dining set with a satin finish. Unfortunately a grandchild ... A: Hey Joe, once you use steel wool on a surface like this, (which is an abrasive), you'll have to ... | |
| Crack in Blond Maple | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: I recently built a kitchen using hard maple finished with water white conversion varnish (ML ... A: Hey Jeff, the TransTints with a little dewaxed Blonde is a good solution, what about using the ... | |
| Crack in Blond Maple | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: I recently built a kitchen using hard maple finished with water white conversion varnish (ML ... A: Hey Jeff, looks like a beautiful finish, reminiscent of my own kitchen cabinets, although mine are ... | |
| Trestle Table | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: I have an Ethan Allen Trestle Dining Room Table (Colors Coll). I got a couple of light scratches on ... A: the wax can be removed with mineral spirits and some rags, wipe the whole top down with a rag ... | |
| applying latex stain over unfinished oak | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: After applying the latex stain,the surface of the oak was quite rough, the fibres of the wood had ... A: Hey Wayne, it depends on how fine you sanded as well...typically on Oak you would want to sand to ... | |
| faded dining room chairs | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: Greg, We recently purchased 6 riboon back mahogany chairs (40-50 years old) and it appears that a ... A: in a word.....no. Mahogany wood bleaches to a golden yellow with exposure to UV light, and the only ... | |
| Refinishing pine table top | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: I bought a farm-style dining table with barn wood pine planks. The top was very bumpy so I had ... A: yes, any oil finish will take days to cure, especially when it's humid. An oscillating fan can be ... | |
| Doors | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: I have 2 hollow doors that were my grandmothers. She "decorated" the middles of them( about 30 years ... A: if they are hollow core, then no, there is a very small internal frame around the outside perimeter ... | |
| Bubbling in Finish | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Scholl- I have a light blonde wood dining table (which I purchased new) that was in storage for ... A: Sometimes plasticizers in bubble wrap, or similar plastic/vinyl containing items can change a ... | |
| stain | 2/17/2010 |
| Q: My husband is building a bathroom vanity for my daughter and she wants the stain to be a black brown ... A: Oak is so hard that it won't soak up a typical oil stain...a dye stain is what you should try..my ... | |
| Restaurant Table Top Finish | 2/17/2010 |
| Q: Greg, Oddly enough I'm in the same situation your were in back in 8/2008. Working for a ... A: I used a catalyzed Acrylic Urethane floor finish at the time, I believe...from Absolute Coatings.... ... | |
| Display cabinet | 2/16/2010 |
| Q: Greg, I am a model ship builder and want to build a large (6'h x 42"w x 20"d) cabinet. The cabinet ... A: Hey Pat, a cabinet that size will have very large glass shelves, and they'd need to be 1/4" and ... | |
| staining cabinets | 2/13/2010 |
| Q: My kitchen cabinets are currently pickled. I'd like to remove the pickling and stain them a with ... A: this isn't something that I recommend you try...it is a huge job and takes a high level of skill and ... | |
| finishing new maple cab. | 2/11/2010 |
| Q: I am building new maple cab. what is the best sequence i.e. sanding sealer,stain,laquer,glaze,more ... A: Glazing is usually done after the sealer coat, or the first topcoat, but it can be used over a stain ... | |
| white glazed vanity, spot went through top | 2/11/2010 |
| Q: I have a off white glazed vanity top with a high gloss finish. My situation is: there is a round ... A: A "type" of water? Was this a factory finished vanity top? if not who did it...because it certainly ... | |
| finishing bare wood | 2/11/2010 |
| Q: I hope you can help. I have done many different applications to this bare parawood dining table,I ... A: your downfall was the wax...you can't apply wax and then apply a finish (any finish) over it.....as ... | |
| finish on woodwork | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: We recently bought our house which is about 3.5 years old. The finish on many of the solid wood ... A: this looks like a Mahogany door, and it does not look stained to me...it looks like it just has a ... | |
| refinishing cheastnut moulding | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: Can I put urethane varnish over shellac? A: yes you can apply it over shellac, but you need to make sure to clean the shellac well with some 000 ... | |
| white glazed vanity, spot went through top | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: I have a off white glazed vanity top with a high gloss finish. My situation is: there is a round ... A: what caused the white spot? Typically, no, there is no way to do a spot repair such as this without ... | |
| Repairing kitchen cabinet finish | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: Our home is 16 years old. We have the original wood cabinets and they are in pretty good shape with ... A: without some knowledge and experience spraying lacquers, I can't recommend you start experimenting ... | |
| broken back dining chair | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: my daughter pulled back a chair with her boyfriend in it and lost it when it hit on the back with ... A: unless it's a new factory made chair, it isn't likely you can find replacements any where but from ... | |
| Cherry darkening over time | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: I'm building a figured cherry desk for a client and I am concerned that the top will darken unevenly ... A: Hey Tim, a few thoughts. I would pick one finish and use it alone for the project. Lacquer will look ... | |
| finishing new maple cab. | 2/5/2010 |
| Q: I am building new maple cab. what is the best sequence i.e. sanding sealer,stain,laquer,glaze,more ... A: Hey Bill that's a really loaded question, and it will depend on the look and protection level you're ... | |
| Cherry darkening over time | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: I'm building a figured cherry desk for a client and I am concerned that the top will darken unevenly ... A: this is a valid concern with new, solid Cherry, and I'm not aware of a UV additive to add to a long ... | |
| weight capability of desk | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: Will an A frame desk with a top surface of a total of 47" ( with support of 2 more legs at the 24" ... A: ..that does not look like it's sturdy enough unless the machine will be located to the left of the ... | |
| weight capability of desk | 2/3/2010 |
| Q: Will an A frame desk with a top surface of a total of 47" ( with support of 2 more legs at the 24" ... A: NO, photo's like this of a product are not copyrighted...you can "right click" on it and "save as" ... | |
| old rail new rail | 2/2/2010 |
| Q: Your question was My husband installed a new oak railing. It matches our older oak but I was told ... A: mineral spirits is a good choice for cleaning off old wax, grease, grime, etc., prior to refinishing ... | |
| wood table top | 2/1/2010 |
| Q: I have a table top that was stained form a white paper plate. The plate was set on the table with ... A: Hey Don, what you're describing sounds like blushing, where the clear finish turns cloudy whitish ... | |
| Cabinets in humid climate | 2/1/2010 |
| Q: We have lots of windows and prefer fresh air to air conditioning - though we have air conditioning ... A: typically the harder the wood, the more stable it can be...woods like Hickory, White Oak, Hard ... | |
| ruined nightstand | 1/31/2010 |
| Q: I apparently had some thermal shaving lotion leak onto my cherry nightstand (Pennsylvania House) and ... A: typically this is a lacquer finish, and it might be "toned", which is the process of using colored ... | |
| warped table top | 1/31/2010 |
| Q: My mom gave me an antique plant stand with the veneer top ruined from years of use. I am refinishing ... A: you likely wouldn't be able to just screw it down to fix the warp, typically this type of damage is ... | |
| Replace veneer on antique sewing machine | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: Recently, I was given an antique sewing machine. The top of the cabinet is in poor shape where the ... A: veneer restoration like this is a learned skill, and if it's a large area it can be tricky. The ... | |
| cloudy table finish | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: I bought a dining table and chair set from The Pottery Barn to use as my everyday breakfast table. ... A: contrary to what they would have you believe, Pledge is terrible for furniture...it contains ... | |
| cabinet finishes | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: I've made the faces of my kitchen cabinets from red oak trees which were once in my front yard. ... A: Oak does have a very open pore structure, and filling the grain is a difficult job on a whole ... | |
| Furniture finish | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: I ordered a cabinet for under my tv. I love the style and the finish was advertised as dark oak,,, ... A: Polyshades is a polyurethane, and should not be used over other finishes, unless you know what the ... | |
| cherry- sponge marks | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: I purchased a cherry dining room table recently from a 3rd party. When I got it home, I realized ... A: this could be moisture or heat damage to the finish...I'm assuming you've tried wiping the table ... | |
| How to remove complicated heat stain on mahogany? | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: I have recently encountered a problem. A piece of white cloth was previously covered on the mahogany ... A: there is no easy way to fix such damage...especially if it's a high build lacquer finish...I would ... | |
| kitchen cabinets too much wear | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: Greg, My dark cherry cabinets have been in use for 18 years. They have lost their luster. They ... A: these cabinets sound like they're on their last legs as far as the finish is concerned...18-20 years ... | |
| cabinet finishes | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: I've made the faces of my kitchen cabinets from red oak trees which were once in my front yard. ... A: Hey Lance, that's a really loaded question, as there are many ways to finish a cabinet...and all ... | |
| Decoratoring plain drawer fronts on bathroom cabinet | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: We bought a new house last year and after paying more than we wanted to for upgrades, we went with ... A: the labor and cost of trying to trim out the drawers, and match the finish, would probably be very ... | |
| cleaning wood mode cabinets | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: Our kitchen cabinets were made by the Wood Metal Industries in Kreamer, PA. We don't know a lot ... A: good old mineral spirits and some rags will remove oils, grease, grime, etc...or you can get a ... | |
| remove arker stain from kitchen table | 1/20/2010 |
| Q: marker is ordinary kids colouring marker, kitchen table is wood with varnish or lacquer finish. hi ... A: you can try "Goo Gone" a product available at most hardware stores...unfortunately these dyes can ... | |
| refinishing kitchen cabinets | 1/20/2010 |
| Q: I have white washed Lafata kitchen cabinets.They are 20 years old. Stain and urethane have worn down ... A: your cabinets likely have a commercial catalyzed lacquer or varnish finish, and not a urethane...and ... | |
| white residue on exterior of upper kitchen cabinet | 1/19/2010 |
| Q: RE: white residue on exterior of upper kitchen cabinet; residue is located underneath and lower ... A: the white is probably "blushing" which can be caused by excessive moisture, and the finish may have ... | |
| painting formica/laminate furniture | 1/18/2010 |
| Q: I plan on painting formica/laminate furniture (desk, dresser, etc.). What is the best way to clean ... A: Hey Greg, You could clean it with a degreasing solvent like mineral spirits, or TSP, or you could ... | |
| refinishing cherry and maple Ethan Allen Furniture | 1/18/2010 |
| Q: I have had an Ethan Allen maple desk and a Cherry bedroom set for over 10 years. The problem is the ... A: your furniture will have a lacquer finish, not shellac...and lacquer is really not something a ... | |
| painting kitchen cabinets | 1/17/2010 |
| Q: I want to paint my kitchen cabinets alight color possibly an off white. They are stained a dark ... A: you could clean them with a degreasing solvent, (NOT water and TSP) remove the doors and drawer ... | |
| maple dining set | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: I inherited a maple dining set that was purchased in the 60s or 70s. The set is in pretty good shape ... A: the first thing I would do is clean the areas with mineral spirits to make sure to remove the dirt, ... | |
| restaining cabinets | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: My kitchen cabinets are light color stain. I would like to strip them and stain them a darker color. ... A: your cabinets are not just stained..modern kitchen cabinets are finished with a multi part finish ... | |
| repair and try to get steps darker stain | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: my name is joe i have the stairs to the 2nd floor all scuffed up like for 20 years the people before ... A: you'd be much better off to strip the treads with stripper. That will clean everything off and leave ... | |
| burnished wood in some spots | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: I am staining kitchen cabinets with Sherwin Williams concentrated wiping stain. It was going well ... A: You need to know what type of stain base he's made you when contemplating your topcoats...if the ... | |
| burnished wood in some spots | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: I am staining kitchen cabinets with Sherwin Williams concentrated wiping stain. It was going well ... A: Are these raw, unfinished, wood? Or were these previously finished? If they were, then it's more ... | |
| remove water mark on raw wood | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: I have new raw maple kitchen cabinets that I will attempt to stain, glaze and poly. Questions ... A: it depends on how bad the water marks are....but these cabinets should've had a finish right ... | |
| Old Kitchen Cupboards | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: We have had these Hard Maple cupboards for quite a few years. Around the door and drawer handles on ... A: if the lacquer is softening to that degree, trying to apply new lacquer over a failing finish is ... | |
| Staining soft maple | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: I am using soft maple for trim. I have been staining it to a dark, slightly red color before ... A: The pigments used in the Gel stains aren't likely to resist fading any better, but any of those ... | |
| Staining soft maple | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: I am using soft maple for trim. I have been staining it to a dark, slightly red color before ... A: you should sand the bare wood down to 180-220, apply your dye stain, and then no further sanding. ... | |
| stripping lacquer | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: I just read your answer to Cindy's inquiry of 4/20/08 re stripping lacquer finished maple. I have a ... A: Hey Jim, it's a lot more likely that this would be a varnish or even shellac, not lacquer. Old ... | |
| sealing hardwood furniture | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: I am currently living in Tanzania and have bought some hardwood (mninga teak) furniture. Since I ... A: Unfortunately a finish will have only minimal affect on whether the wood will crack, split, warp, ... | |
| darking kitchem cabinets | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: I have nice oak cabinets, with raised paneling, about 6yrs old, which appear to have perhaps the ... A: no there is no way to darken commercially finished cabinets like these without some serious skill ... | |
| Restoration | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: I have a Mahogany coffee table it is very large and very heavy and the top has become Patchy and raw ... A: Well it would depend on what finishes you have available, what was on the table top originally, and ... | |
| Stipping paint from Kitchen cabinets to stain them | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: I am hoping someone can help me. I am learning by the seat of my pants as a single woman on how to ... A: wow, you're undertaking a HUGE job here, and it may not turn out the way you envision after all that ... | |
| Oak Wainscotting looks faded - what product should we use? | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: We have a 1900 vintage home with oak wainscotting that is really beautiful and well preserved. It ... A: I wouldn't use Boiled Linseed oil anymore, it has a habit of darkening over time and breaking down ... | |
| 1940s Art Deco Waterfall Furniture | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: We have a Waterfall Bedroom set from the late 30s/ early 40s. It is originally from Pennsylvania but ... A: I have never heard of your recipe of water and fabric softener, but I would not recommend it on any ... | |
| Staining: How the Pros Do It? | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: Greg, I've read some of your past posts on how to get a professional look for staining cabinets and ... A: it depends on a few variables...what type of wood, and what type and color finish you're looking to ... | |
| Treadle Sewing Machine Cabinet | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: I inherited on old Singer sewing machine from my grandmother. The cabinet is in pretty bad shape but ... A: Please elaborate on "stainable liquid wood filler", I'm not familiar with what that would ... | |
| Shellack spraying | 1/1/2010 |
| Q: I turn to You with my question from Hungary. I have a legacy working-room furniture, a large table ... A: I think you're right that you will need the smaller cap/needle set up....I would check with the ... | |
| Repaint to different color | 12/31/2009 |
| Q: I bought an wood cherry red color entertainment unit, but it didnt not match with my other ... A: you can always paint over anything, but to change the color of a clear finished piece is more ... | |
| Treadle Sewing Machine Cabinet | 12/30/2009 |
| Q: I inherited on old Singer sewing machine from my grandmother. The cabinet is in pretty bad shape but ... A: Liquid hide glue is available at most good hardware store, it's a stabilized version of the hot hide ... | |
| Paper stuck to mahogony veer table top | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: I left a display of loose photographs on a dining room table and an unnoticed ceiling leak got them ... A: I don't hold a lot of hope that one could float off the paper without damaging further the ... | |
| Antique woode floors | 12/26/2009 |
| Q: I just bought an 1870's home in CT. This is a 1.5 story cape farmhouse. I love the chestnut ... A: your floors probably had either a wax finish or shellac, (or a combination of both over the years). ... | |
| Treadle Sewing Machine Cabinet | 12/25/2009 |
| Q: I inherited on old Singer sewing machine from my grandmother. The cabinet is in pretty bad shape but ... A: you can use a silicone mold making kit to reproduce the carved details, available at any good Art ... | |
| finishing pine and oak with polystain | 12/24/2009 |
| Q: I am desiring a dark mahogany low luster finish on oak cabinets and pine doors and trim (also pine.) ... A: what you're attempting to do is an exercise in frustration to be sure.Trying to apply a Dark ... | |
| Shellack spraying | 12/23/2009 |
| Q: I turn to You with my question from Hungary. I have a legacy working-room furniture, a large table ... A: I am not recommending an "airless" impeller type sprayer for shellac, as it's too thin I ... | |
| Dining Room Chairs | 12/23/2009 |
| Q: Greg, My wife bought 6 old 50 year + dining room chairs. Several had loose joints and weak center ... A: these were most likely lacquered, and many times they "toned" as well, which is the process of using ... | |
| Bookcase out of square | 12/21/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Scholl...Thank you for taking time to answer my question. I am a beginning (wanna be) ... A: I think you know the answer here...if the glue is dry, and you've made well fitting dadoes...then no ... | |
| Shellack spraying | 12/20/2009 |
| Q: I turn to You with my question from Hungary. I have a legacy working-room furniture, a large table ... A: HVLP is not the best solution for Shellac, as it uses warm air and will tend to dry the finish ... | |
| ethanhallen table | 12/16/2009 |
| Q: I have a large Ethan Allen maple country crossings table and the top is in very bad shape from water ... A: my suggestion is that it needs to be refinished...and it's most likely a lacquer top, and if you've ... | |
| 15 year old Scan design teak dresser | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: How can I tell if our teak dresser has an oil seal on it? The top of the dresser is a teak veneer ... A: these are almost universally done with an oil finish. you can get Watco Danish oil finish in colors, ... | |
| Rice Bed - King size | 12/13/2009 |
| Q: Hey Greg - we have a King size Rice Bed. I bought it about 10 years ago from an antique store for ... A: this is not something you can just order or buy somewhere...especially if the bed is an ... | |
| polyurethane | 12/13/2009 |
| Q: when I put on the second coat I got bubbles when it started to dry. Do i have to sand the whole top ... A: Did you start with new wood, or a stripped, clean surface? This sounds like"pin-holing" which, ... | |
| satin finish over high gloss varnish | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: I recently had some red oak kitchen cabinets installed and the quality is great, the color is ... A: no, without refinishing the whole kitchen, there really isn't a way to do what you want, ... | |
| polyurethane | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: when I put on the second coat I got bubbles when it started to dry. Do i have to sand the whole top ... A: bubbles is not a good thing and can mean some type of contamination that surfaced up through the ... | |
| Stripping Metal Door & Frame from 1920 | 12/9/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to strip several metal door frames and one door in my apartment. I was able to remove ... A: are you using an actual paste type paint stripper? There were only a few coatings at that time, and ... | |
| cleaning oxidized Kitchen metal hardware | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: I have a 30 some years old house, the kitchen cabinate are in OK shape, however the hardware are ... A: Not sure what condition yours is in, but I'm sure it has(or had) a clear coat, and that is likely ... | |
| looking for Melamine | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: I am Originally from Austin Texas and i have been building cabinets and furniture for my ... A: Hey Chris, I have no idea....I would start calling suppliers of plywood and cabinet shops to see if ... | |
| cleaning oxidized Kitchen metal hardware | 12/7/2009 |
| Q: I have a 30 some years old house, the kitchen cabinate are in OK shape, however the hardware are ... A: what are they made out of? Some hardware is lacquered to keep it from tarnishing, but that coating ... | |
| refinishing | 12/5/2009 |
| Q: i have made wainscoting for my living room out of antique doors....The layers of old paint easily ... A: Hey Richard, I wouldn't trust such a product if it existed...if the paint scraped off easily, there ... | |
| ceiling | 12/5/2009 |
| Q: Hey Greg ! I have yellow pine v-groove in my ceiling and it looks like I get an awful lot of what ... A: Hey Chuck, sounds like you need to seal the ceiling around the perimeter, etc......insulation debris ... | |
| Interior doors | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: I recently had hardwood floors installed and because I previously had carpeting, I now have a 2 inch ... A: Hey Clark, sure you could add a piece, Use a router with a straight edge to trim the bottoms of the ... | |
| raw wood | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: i work at a place that makes wood grips they come out of the cutter as raw wood we sand them then a ... A: Hey Greg, not if if you're sure it's lacquer...how long do you let them dry before buffing? Lacquer ... | |
| blonde furniture repair help | 12/2/2009 |
| Q: I found a response you made a few months ago to someone regarding blonde furniture. I have some ... A: This type of finish is especially hard to replicate or even restore, so you'll need to find someone ... | |
| Georgian Court (Ethan Allen) Goose Neck Chairs | 12/2/2009 |
| Q: I have two of the EA Gooseneck chairs. I bought them on ebay and they were in horrible condition. ... A: these chairs were finished with lacquer, not poly.They could be stained as well with a dye stain, ... | |
| finish on 60's rosewood furniture | 11/30/2009 |
| Q: I have a high end 60'sdanish rosewood dining set. I assume that it has a hand rubbed oil finish. How ... A: typically almost all of this furniture is finished with a "Danish" oil type finish, which are drying ... | |
| blonde furniture repair help | 11/29/2009 |
| Q: I found a response you made a few months ago to someone regarding blonde furniture. I have some ... A: these "wheat" or "champagne" finishes are the most difficult to repair and/or recreate, you can wash ... | |
| Care & Refinishing of a Teak Desk | 11/28/2009 |
| Q: A teak desk that was handmade for my father in Thailand in 1970 is now being shipped to me. It has ... A: I wouldn't be worried about the desk moving much as Winter in Virginia and Florida are probably ... | |
| burnt tabletop | 11/26/2009 |
| Q: I hope that you can help me. I have a parquet table that is three years old. Someone ironed on the ... A: I'm almost positive this will be a lacquer finish, and it's been burned and melted, so the ONLY way ... | |
| refinish on dining room chair | 11/25/2009 |
| Q: a friend of mine used stain on top of paint on dining room chairs and it turned to liquid and will ... A: it depends on a few variables, like what stains one is using, and wether the chairs are painted or ... | |
| Mahogany doors not sealled | 11/24/2009 |
| Q: We have a big problem, recently we had some mahogany doors fitted, well in march this year. They ... A: the doors need to be dried to around 10-15% moisture, which they probably were when they were ... | |
| Exterior Oak Door and Side Panels | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: Greg, after 15 years or so the front oak door and side panels have developed dark patches, and have ... A: the only way to fix this is to restore the finish, and if it's turning dark/black, that means the ... | |
| protecting interior of wooden house | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: the project: interior of entire 1&1/2 floor house, of mostly wooden surfaces, consisting of: - ... A: Any oil will darken the woods you have quite substantially, especially after the recommended 2-4 ... | |
| cleaning wood cabinets | 11/19/2009 |
| Q: What is the best way to clean the built on grime on kitchen cabinets? What do you think about using ... A: TSP is a water based mix, and can get down in the wood between the panels and stile and rails, and ... | |
| protecting interior of wooden house | 11/18/2009 |
| Q: the project: interior of entire 1&1/2 floor house, of mostly wooden surfaces, consisting of: - ... A: I am not aware of a product that would fit those criteria..especially the "natural" part. An Acrylic ... | |
| Applying Polyurethan to Stained Panel Door | 11/17/2009 |
| Q: I have stained six panel interior doors and need to apply polyurethane to them. Can you advise the ... A: you can spray them with an aerosol like the Minwax fast dry polyurethane. These cans are capable of ... | |
| Cabinet Staining and Finishing | 11/17/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing my kitchen cabinets. The door panels are made of oak frame and oak plywood boards. ... A: no you can't use the Minwax (or any other)oil stain in between other stain/finish coats, as it will ... | |
| kitchen cupboards - fingerprints | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: OUr house was built 6 years ago, and already I have oily fingerprints on my kitchen cupboard doors ... A: Throwing all those chemicals at a clear finish can definitely hurt the finish...409 and some other ... | |
| kitchen cupboards - fingerprints | 11/15/2009 |
| Q: OUr house was built 6 years ago, and already I have oily fingerprints on my kitchen cupboard doors ... A: if you've tried all those, then you likely don't have oily fingerprints...you're seeing something ... | |
| Old wooden chest | 11/14/2009 |
| Q: I have an old wooden chest, oak maybe I think, the top/lid has become very worn with ringmarks etc, ... A: I'm assuming "white spirits" is the same as what we call mineral spirits?? I'm guessing the top is ... | |
| Old wooden chest | 11/14/2009 |
| Q: I have an old wooden chest, oak maybe I think, the top/lid has become very worn with ringmarks etc, ... A: can't tell the type of wood from the picture, but the top is pretty bad, I think you'll want to ... | |
| Exterior use of plywood | 11/13/2009 |
| Q: I am repairing a garage door and plan of facing some old and weakened joints of the wood door with ... A: I thought I sent out an answer yesterday, but I don't see it posted.....trying to do a sandwich type ... | |
| refinishing ash veneer cabinets | 11/12/2009 |
| Q: we just put in ash hardwood floors...look great...but our attempt to match the stain to existing ash ... A: but you have to strip the cabinets of the old finish with stripper, which is the correct course of ... | |
| Exterior use of plywood | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: I am repairing a garage door and plan of facing some old and weakened joints of the wood door with ... A: What type of repairs will you be making? Marine plywood is really the best choice, but you'll need ... | |
| bath vanity | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a bathroom vanity that is oak stained. How can I refinish it using a glaze. I would like to ... A: Yeah, that's a glazing technique, the glaze is the brown (or any contrasting color) that simulates ... | |
| bath vanity | 11/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a bathroom vanity that is oak stained. How can I refinish it using a glaze. I would like to ... A: you mean you want it cream colored and then glazed? Like an Antique looking finish?....your vanity ... | |
| painting over painted cabinets | 11/10/2009 |
| Q: We chose the wrong color for our bathroom cabinets. They were professionally painted a mauve color ... A: I don't think you can hope to change these with some type of glaze....why did you sign off on the ... | |
| Painting cabinetry | 11/10/2009 |
| Q: I am painting over my bathroom vanities and would like to know if there is something I can apply as ... A: an Acrylic Urethane in Satin will give you added protection, especially a catalyzed one...I like ... | |
| sticky spots on kitchen cabinets | 11/9/2009 |
| Q: I think the kitchen cabinets of the house we just bought had never been cleaned. They are ... A: Unfortunately no....the best thing is to let it sit for a few weeks, then evaluate it again...if ... | |
| maple shaker table &chairs | 11/9/2009 |
| Q: hopefully you can help me out. Due needing more seating for holiday gatherings, my wife and I just ... A: I would not recommend using Tung oil or Linseed oil on a finished piece of furniture. If this is ... | |
| Diningroom furniture | 11/7/2009 |
| Q: I purchased an expensive set about fifteen yrs. ago and never waxed or cleaned it, some of the chair ... A: there isn't a product that can keep it from drying out.Furniture dries out from lack of humidity, ... | |
| Spruce up Stained Cabinets without Sanding to Bare Wood? | 11/7/2009 |
| Q: Moved into a home with kitchen cabinets that are perhaps alder and have a very low sheen. There were ... A: a tinted wax won't really do much for you....there's really no easy way to do what you want I'm ... | |
| Pine tongue and groove | 11/6/2009 |
| Q: We have a screen porch with pine tongue and groove on the walls. It was stained, but not sealed and ... A: it's likely that a lot of what you're seeing is also oxidation and darkening of the Pine due to ... | |
| Broker drawer -need help on repair | 11/5/2009 |
| Q: Kinderkraft model 265 Double Dresser n Changer We've had this for almost 8 years. Have not had any ... A: I'm assuming this has metal drawer slides, and usually they can be pulled all the way out by ... | |
| sticky spots on kitchen cabinets | 11/5/2009 |
| Q: I think the kitchen cabinets of the house we just bought had never been cleaned. They are ... A: Hey Chris, you've gotta be a little careful about putting a whole bunch of different chemicals on a ... | |
| wood stain | 11/4/2009 |
| Q: i have a woodern fireplace whitch was waxed, while away my husband gave it a coat of stain and its ... A: he stained OVER a wax?? tssk-tsssk.......the only choice now is to strip the stain and wax off with ... | |
| wax sealer | 11/3/2009 |
| Q: My daughter bought a dining table that didn't have a protective coat. Greasy finger prints from ... A: what finish did you use? Was this a factory table? It definitely had a finish of some type if it ... | |
| filler | 11/3/2009 |
| Q: I filled a large hole in a paint grade project with epoxy/wood dust mix (west system 105-209 ) and ... A: Hey Thom, I don't think the amount of acetone in the Famowood is enough to actually make a chemical ... | |
| Fix/refinish Cherrywood table | 11/3/2009 |
| Q: I bought a cherrywood coffee table from Ashley Furniture about 4 years ago. I don't know a lot about ... A: Working with lacquer takes some skill and knowledge to do a professional looking job, but stripping ... | |
| Amber oak cabinets | 11/2/2009 |
| Q: Referencing your response to Dee on her Oct 16 09 enquiry about changing her amber oak cabinets ... A: Hey Ed, I would still definitely recommend a primer/sealer recommended for the topcoat you choose. ... | |
| Torn cabinet | 11/2/2009 |
| Q: Recently we painted our kitchen. And we taped around the edge of our cabinets. When we went to ... A: this sounds like a vinyl veneer which is used on some older, cheaper cabinets, and will look like ... | |
| removing nails from built-in and refinishing | 11/1/2009 |
| Q: The built-in entertainment center in my house was built by the previous owner. For some reason, he ... A: Hey Jeremy, that's a good solution if you can drill dead center which will be tricky,or you could ... | |
| Fix/refinish Cherrywood table | 11/1/2009 |
| Q: I bought a cherrywood coffee table from Ashley Furniture about 4 years ago. I don't know a lot about ... A: your table could be any number of woods that are finished to look like Cherry. Most likely it has a ... | |
| filler | 11/1/2009 |
| Q: I filled a large hole in a paint grade project with epoxy/wood dust mix (west system 105-209 ) and ... A: Hey Thom, I would be concerned about any other filler actually sticking to the West System.....you ... | |
| sun damage exterior door | 10/31/2009 |
| Q: The oak door I need help with is in Florida. It has been weathered by sun and rain. The lower part ... A: the bottom half of doors like this are always worse because of the splashing of water at the bottom, ... | |
| weatherproofing indoor furniture | 10/30/2009 |
| Q: Is there any way to weather/waterproof a light cherry table to use outdoors? We are moving and have ... A: it's doubtful that you could, as interior furniture is built with interior glues, often veneered and ... | |
| oil / wax for oak | 10/30/2009 |
| Q: apologies if you have been asked this many times b4. i'm not very good on pcs & have tried to find ... A: a penetrating oil finish like Colron will protect the wood and give you a soft low luster finish. ... | |
| Klaussner dining room table | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: I purchased a cherry wood diningroom table which is made of rubberwood. I ;ike the look of the ... A: But my question was can you smudge the streakiness....is it like ....greasy? Rubber wood is a light ... | |
| wood desk w/ water stains | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: Let me start by saying that my experience in this area is zero, zip, nada! But I hope that you can ... A: anything that would work to heal this type of damage would likely be solvent based, smell a bit, and ... | |
| Painting a built-in dining room hutch | 10/26/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased a house that has a huge built-in hutch which extends from floor to ceiling and ... A: first thing is to wash it with a "scrubber" sponge and some warm water with a few drops of ... | |
| Dining room table | 10/26/2009 |
| Q: I saw on a HGTV show they sanded off the gloss of a finished table, and coated and wiped off a ... A: I've seen some of the furniture "treatments" they do on these shows, and not only are they often ... | |
| Water Tower Project | 10/25/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to make an exact replica of the Purdue University water tower in the form of a drink ... A: Not only is it almost impossible to make a shape like that, that big, it won't stand up to having ... | |
| Teak dining table restoration | 10/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a lovely teak dining table which is in great need of restoration. Originally it was used on ... A: do NOT take an orbital sander to a table such as this, as they're veneered, and with quite thin ... | |
| refinishing rosewood veneer Herman Miller table | 10/24/2009 |
| Q: I inherited a 40 year old table from my Mom. Its the dining table I grew up with, and for obvious ... A: the Rosewood top may be browner than the leaves because the leaves were stored most of the time and ... | |
| Water Tower Project | 10/23/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to make an exact replica of the Purdue University water tower in the form of a drink ... A: Hey Chance, are you trying to make the structure in the picture with the "P" painted on it? I do not ... | |
| Recurring white waxy stains on kitchen cabinets. | 10/22/2009 |
| Q: I am attempting to refinish oak kitchen cabinets and am encountering a recurring problem with the ... A: Yes, I wouldn't even bother with this, as you have an issue with the original finish, which will be ... | |
| Recurring white waxy stains on kitchen cabinets. | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: I am attempting to refinish oak kitchen cabinets and am encountering a recurring problem with the ... A: it's very likely the cabinets are not varnished, but rather finished with a catalyzed finish. ... | |
| glide rocker purchased from BOSCOVS 2004 | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: I broke the left arm on my glide rocker.The arm is a short horizontal piece of wood.It is connected ... A: Hey John, no, generally you won't find a source for replacement parts like that...your only chance ... | |
| fine finishing classes | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: Our son has chosen carpentry as his profession (as his father and grandfather before him). He has ... A: I'm not familiar with anything in your area...there are schools and seminars all over the country, ... | |
| Those amber oak colored cabinets again | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: Greg, Thanks for the information about cabinet refinishing (from my question on 10/16/09). ... A: I looked at the website for Faux Effects, and their range of products is pretty big, but it's one of ... | |
| book case | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: I have 5 built in book cases in my office, eash is roughly 4'x4. I am looking for a place that can ... A: Hey Jim, there is no place where you would be able to buy a ready made roll top set up for your book ... | |
| kitchen cabinet finishes | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: I am about to remodel my kitchen. Is it better to order cabinets from a company out of state (CA) in ... A: the state of the art clear finishes are not oil based finishes, and haven't been for a long time. ... | |
| Wood Veneer Fix | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: The other day I sat a hot casserole dish on our wood veneer table. Though the dish was placed on a ... A: Hey Darnell, this is a common type of damage to a table top finish, and it isn't always easy to fix. ... | |
| Antique furniture finish | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: I have an antique oak fireplace mantle which was painted white. I have had it stripped down to bare ... A: Old Oak is going to be challenging to stain without using good stains....what stain did you use? ... | |
| Finishing an oak bookshelf system | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: I am building a bookshelf system for our library. The floor is Brazilian cherry and we wanted to ... A: if you haven't made the faceframes yet, you could veneer the sides of the carcase with 1/4" plywood ... | |
| Wood Species | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to find out what type of wood this is in the picture. I am building a log cabin & think ... A: http://www.kraftmaid.com/browseby/material/cabinets/default.aspx Poke around here, I think you'll ... | |
| Wood Species | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to find out what type of wood this is in the picture. I am building a log cabin & think ... A: These look like Hickory, but it's pretty hard to tell from the picture....is this a kitchen you have ... | |
| Amber Oak cabinet color change | 10/16/2009 |
| Q: We just purchased a new home with the old amber oak cabinet color in the kitchen. I have been ... A: "touchless spray system giving...the ability to provide a high end look...to dramatically change the ... | |
| finishing cabinets | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: So my question is about finishing some kitchen cabinets. I am decent at woodworking but not very ... A: Hey Eric, you can spray stains, typically you would be spraying dye stains though, and yes they ... | |
| lacquer finishes | 10/14/2009 |
| Q: Greg-we just bought new end tables with a lacquer finish top from an office furniture supply store. ... A: It's not recommended, and I'm not sure why you'd want to....lacquers and urethanes aren't really ... | |
| change my kitchen cabinet color to cherry red | 10/13/2009 |
| Q: I would like to change my kitchen cabinet color to cherry red - currently it just oak with no color. ... A: Many manufacturers make dye stains, General, Mohawk, Behlen are a few names that come to mind,but ... | |
| plaster stains on oak doors | 10/12/2009 |
| Q: can you tell me how to get plaster stains from new oak doors that have'nt been treated yet? Would ... A: I think caustic soda lye solution will dissolve it,the type they use to strip furniture (sodium ... | |
| waxing an internal pine door | 10/10/2009 |
| Q: wax and oils! i was hoping to wax it with a coloured wax! what is the reason why i cannot do this ... A: Wax is pretty shiny when buffed properly, and most stains will dry pretty flat, especially if you ... | |
| waxing an internal pine door | 10/9/2009 |
| Q: wax and oils! i was hoping to wax it with a coloured wax! what is the reason why i cannot do this ... A: Hey Dave, what type of wood? I think you should be able to use what you want to finish them, ... | |
| Clean Unfinished Oak Furniture | 10/9/2009 |
| Q: We had a red oak credenza custom made about 25 years ago. This unit is "unfinished wood". The only ... A: the Watco IS a finish. It contains Tung oil, phenolics, and driers, and is a penetrating oil finish ... | |
| change my kitchen cabinet color to cherry red | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: I would like to change my kitchen cabinet color to cherry red - currently it just oak with no color. ... A: what you want to do is not possible with stripping the cabinets down to bare wood and then ... | |
| lacquer finishes | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: Greg-we just bought new end tables with a lacquer finish top from an office furniture supply store. ... A: normal cleaning can be done with a damp cloth, hand drying the finish with a clean, dry ... | |
| Flecto wood finish | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: I'm looking for a wood finish that will bring out the colors more in a piece of burly American black ... A: 66 was a hybrid product that contained white shellac and oil based polyurethane, and Linseed oil, ... | |
| Best finish for fresh-water boat gunnels | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: We've been given a fiberglass rowing boat with oak gunnels. The previous owner tung-oiled the ... A: a Tung oil finish is a penetrating finish, and if applied regularily will offer pretty good, durable ... | |
| removing spray furniture wax | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: I want to apply a bees wax funiture paste wax to a friends fine, antique dining table. Family piece. ... A: LOL, no there are many good brands, I just prefer the Fiddes, it's one of these "Old Family Recipes" ... | |
| removing spray furniture wax | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: I want to apply a bees wax funiture paste wax to a friends fine, antique dining table. Family piece. ... A: Is this a home brewed wax? I would not recommend such a thing, as you're much better off with a ... | |
| wood painting | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: i would like to paint TEAK WOOD,after preparing the surface suitably ,i am applying a coat of primer ... A: You will not get the paint to stick to new Teak....it's a bad choice if you need to paint it. You ... | |
| Teak dining table (indoor) | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: I just purchased a teak dining table that supposedly is about 30 years old. It appears to be in ... A: Kim, these oil finishes are a finish. They contain resins, penolics, and other ingredients that ... | |
| removing spray furniture wax | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: I want to apply a bees wax funiture paste wax to a friends fine, antique dining table. Family piece. ... A: the only way to remove these products is with a solvent, but you run the risk of removing more than ... | |
| Re-finishing a red oak table | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: Long story short, we have purchased a solid red oak dining table in a light honey oak color about a ... A: what you want to do is not easy, as to get Oak this dark takes special staining and finishing ... | |
| Repiring bed rails | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: First of all I just set up some woodworking tools my father (92) gave me because he can't use them ... A: a router with a slot cutter would do the job nicely. Hopefully you got a router in the ... | |
| MDF vs. Plywood | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: Greg, We just purchased a 180 gal. fish tank that weighs 350 lbs. With water about 1000 lbs. We are ... A: I think that a 2x4 frame is required, with at least a back, top, and sides....if this will be 1,000 ... | |
| refinishing an oak kiten table | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: I have a 22 year old Amish oak kitchen table and chairs. It has been a very durable table until the ... A: I would stay away from Restorz-it, I have fielded some real horror stories from people who bought ... | |
| wood table warp/bubble | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: I bought a gorgeous used table that is solid wood with a decorative wood venear on top. The top had ... A: the hot iron trick only works if there's enough glue under the veneer to reactivate with the ... | |
| Teak dining table (indoor) | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: I just purchased a teak dining table that supposedly is about 30 years old. It appears to be in ... A: I would use an oil finish on it, I like WaterLox, but Watco Danish oil is a good choice as well, and ... | |
| ring on table from hot plate | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a table that is made from reclaimed barnwood and was finished with miniwax tung oil we set a ... A: I think you're on the right track, but you may have to rub out the whole top with 0000 steel wool ... | |
| Unfinished oak beams | 9/26/2009 |
| Q: Our 25 year old braced-frame house has exposed oak beams that have become somewhat dull over the ... A: you could use a paste wax, but you could also use an oil finish product that would penetrate, dry ... | |
| oil stain from air freshner on wood dresser | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: I bought one of those oil air fresheners with the wick sticks. I set it out on my bedroom dresser ... A: unfortunately they do contain solvents in the oils, (that makes them evaporate into the air), and ... | |
| Dining room table finish ruined | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: My wife bought a beautiful dining room table, which we found out after getting it delivered that the ... A: If you did it twice, that should have removed anything on the surface for the most part. Now that ... | |
| black wood spot on shelf | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I just recently picked up a bookshelf from an antiques store. After my purchase I discovered, on the ... A: is it under the finish? And is it on the very bottom, like it was standing in some water? It's ... | |
| furniture refinishing | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing a desk, I am in the process of stripping it using Formby's furniture refinisher. ... A: I would recommend trying to get all the old finish off as best as possible. The Formby's product is ... | |
| Refinishing painted oak | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: I have some oak crown molding that has been painted white. I've stripped the paint off and sanded. ... A: this is always difficult to do, I find that scrubbing with a fine, small Brass "scratch" brush with ... | |
| wood filler / poly u | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing a piece of furniture made of oak. I didn't strip it. I simply sanded of the ... A: how much filler did you apply? If it was just small holes, then it's doubtful that there would be ... | |
| Dining room table finish ruined | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: My wife bought a beautiful dining room table, which we found out after getting it delivered that the ... A: Hey Matt, I would try using some Mineral spirits on a rag and wipe the whole table down. You want ... | |
| refinishing bleached wood | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: My son bought a 2 story house that has a lovely staircase and great woodwork through out. The ... A: it could be stripped, prepped, stained and refinished surely, but it's a huge job. It's unlikely ... | |
| Revitalize cherry | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought a cherry sideboard, used. It's in beautiful condition with the exception that it ... A: Hey Mark, there's no way to change the color of the wood without getting down to the wood. It would ... | |
| Stain a maple table | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: How can I stain a maple table to get it back to or near to it's original 1950's color? I scaped all ... A: often those finishes were "toned", meaning they were sprayed with colored topcoats to produce the ... | |
| Refinishing a Bed Frame Sealed With Linseed Oil | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: I've looked around here and other sites, and I haven't really found a clear answer. I have a bed ... A: stripping with a chemical stripper is really the best way to remove the oil finish. Sanding does not ... | |
| protecting handpainted bureau | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: my hand painted (emulsion paint) 'shabby chic' bureau has been glazed and rubbed down in parts so ... A: a water based Acrylic Urethane would be a good option and remain "water" clear with no ambering. Wax ... | |
| CREAKING | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: "Just finished building a Glider Rocker out of Cedar and put mineral oil on the finish. It looks ... A: it's possible that the mineral oil could make it creak as it works it's way into the joints and ... | |
| CREAKING | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: "Just finished building a Glider Rocker out of Cedar and put mineral oil on the finish. It looks ... A: I'm sure that has to do with the construction...was this a kit, something you built from scratch? ... | |
| Kitchen cabinets chipping | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: I have been in the finishing business for years and most of my work is done on site putting finishes ... A: Hmmm...sounds like a mess, but irregardless, this finish is very suspect, and there should be a ... | |
| Kitchen cabinets chipping | 9/15/2009 |
| Q: I have been in the finishing business for years and most of my work is done on site putting finishes ... A: I didn't realize the company had already been in to repair some of the damage....perhaps they think ... | |
| treating a mahogany slab | 9/15/2009 |
| Q: We have got a beautiful mahogany slab that we are going to be using for our servery window in the ... A: I would suggest a penetrating oil finish like WaterLox.It is a modified Tung oil finish that will ... | |
| Kitchen cabinets chipping | 9/15/2009 |
| Q: I have been in the finishing business for years and most of my work is done on site putting finishes ... A: several things can cause this, and it's shameful that the company won't divulge their finishing ... | |
| Stain and seal bathroom cabinets | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: I bought a custom built unfinished bathroom vanity to install in a master bath remodel. I am using ... A: Catalyzed finishes are 2 part crosslinking finishes that are the state of the art for kitchen, ... | |
| Stain and seal bathroom cabinets | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: I bought a custom built unfinished bathroom vanity to install in a master bath remodel. I am using ... A: the ultimate protection will come from a catalyzed finish, like Sherwin Williams KemVar, or M.L. ... | |
| Spray Painting Furniture | 9/13/2009 |
| Q: I need help! I have a bedroom suite that is not real wood. It was recommended to spray paint. I ... A: As I said, it sounds like your painting technique....and you need to develop the proper technique. ... | |
| Spray Painting Furniture | 9/13/2009 |
| Q: I need help! I have a bedroom suite that is not real wood. It was recommended to spray paint. I ... A: when you say "splotchy", is it the sheen level you're referring to or the color being splotchy? As I ... | |
| Spray Painting Furniture | 9/12/2009 |
| Q: I need help! I have a bedroom suite that is not real wood. It was recommended to spray paint. I ... A: if it's blotchy in terms of sheen, then it's likely your spray technique...it's imperative to flow ... | |
| Rust on Teak | 9/12/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me how to take a round rust stain out of a teak table? A: you'll have to completely strip the top, then treat the rust stain with an Oxalic acid solution ... | |
| kitchen drawer | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: I was installing the handle on brand new cherry wood kitchen drawer and the drill bit gashed the ... A: you'll need to fill any damage with a stainable filler and then touch it up depending on how bad it ... | |
| staining maple table | 9/6/2009 |
| Q: I am staining a maple table with Old Master's gel stain. I am about to put on a pre-stain ... A: 0000 steel wool would be fine, and will actually "cut" better...but resist the urge to rub too much ... | |
| birch cabinets stained way too dark | 9/6/2009 |
| Q: the birch cabinets arrived, and we were in tears they were so beautiful. Then the stain guy got ... A: Geeeez I hate to hear these stories. I'm not sure what to tell you, but entrusting $18,000 worth of ... | |
| Split in butcher block counter top - Redux | 9/6/2009 |
| Q: On 6/14/2008 you answered the question "Split in butcher block counter top". In that case the ... A: I definitely would not try to close any cracks with force, as it won't work, and as I said, it's ... | |
| Staining a baby cradle | 9/5/2009 |
| Q: I just made a cradle for my first grandchild. As I was finishing putting it together my brother ... A: Hey Chris, I definitely wouldn't bake a Pine piece in an oven.......what Varathane product is it? A ... | |
| repainted dressers | 9/5/2009 |
| Q: I spray painted my old bedroom furniture for my daughter to use now. I used Rustoleum's new ... A: I'm surprised that you'd have an issue with that paint, as I have used it quite a bit as well. What ... | |
| furniture repair | 9/5/2009 |
| Q: I need to move the hinges on a cabinet door a distance of about 1/4 inch. What is the preferred way ... A: I use a tapered hardwood dowel to fill old screw holes. I'll usually put a small block plane upside ... | |
| Split in butcher block counter top - Redux | 9/4/2009 |
| Q: On 6/14/2008 you answered the question "Split in butcher block counter top". In that case the ... A: There aren't many choices, you'll have to fill the cracks with some type of filler. Are the counters ... | |
| pine wall in screened porch | 9/3/2009 |
| Q: I have a tonge and groove pine wall in a screened in porch. I put polyurethane on the wall, but have ... A: unfortunately alcohol will not remove the poly, only stripper will, and a bleach solution (1 to 3 ... | |
| Repairing an old sewing machine table from the 60's | 9/2/2009 |
| Q: I have been given an old sewing machine table and I think it was made in the 60's. So far I have ... A: I'm not aware of a place to easily get replacement parts, I think I would start "Google -ing" and ... | |
| laminated benchtop | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: A spot of about two sq.ft. on my laminated benchtop became matt after spilling a chemical used for ... A: it sounds like the oven cleaner etched or chemically "burned" the area...if this is a work area that ... | |
| Cleaning Vintage painted Furniture | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: I need to clean a painted large 6 piece king bedroom set. I bought this at an estate sale. It is ... A: I would try Mineral spirits and lots of rags, or you could buy Formby's furniture cleaner: ... | |
| BLO under-varnish | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: Greg ! I would like to ask if you can help me with my project. I am working with a mahogany ... A: BLO and then a wash coat of shellac will prevent your oil stain from penetrating at all, kind of ... | |
| Cutting cabinet over cooktop | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: I need to cut into a cabinet that currently covers my vent tubing for my cooktop range. My microwave ... A: without seeing the situation, it's tough for me to advise you, but there probably isn't an easy way ... | |
| Wood stain/Polyurethane & Wax | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing my kitchen cabinets and I am ready to apply the stain. Is it better to rub on the ... A: It's best to brush on the stain, let it sit, and then wipe off evenly and completely with a rag. I ... | |
| painting antique furniture | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: Greg, I am attempting to paint some antique furniture to start a small business. I love the ... A: Lacquer comes in colors as well as clears,colors can be altered or custom mixed, and the clears can ... | |
| Painting oak cabinets | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: I would like to paint my oak cabinets white and then use a dark glaze around the edges. What type ... A: kind of a shame to paint over 4 year old cabinets....paint won't stand up nearly as well as the ... | |
| Teak indoor furniture restoring | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: goodmorning using Formby's conditioning furniture refinisher and steal wool i cleaned the top of my ... A: what happened is that you've only partially removed the finish in areas, and left finish in other ... | |
| Finishing knotty pine wall boards | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: I am in the process of stripping knotty pine wall boards in a house built in the 1950's. The room ... A: Hey Dan, the boards will darken naturally from UV light, and most varnishes from that era will also ... | |
| painting a dresser with power sprayer | 8/23/2009 |
| Q: I bought a second hand dresser for my daughter. It is stained, but she likes white furniture. I'd ... A: Latex paint isn't going to allow you to apply it as smooth as you want, as it's just the nature of ... | |
| cabinets | 8/23/2009 |
| Q: I have nice wood cabinets in my kitchen but they are light stained, is there anyway to stain them ... A: unfortunately, you cannot stain over an existing finish like what's on your cabinets, and sanding a ... | |
| polishing scratches | 8/22/2009 |
| Q: I have i nice 30 yr old Henredon tea-table. it has a good finish but has swirl marks and micro ... A: Yes, you can, if the finish is thick enough and in otherwise good shape. I use 3M's Finesse It II, ... | |
| interior wood finishing | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: We are doing a complete remodel (gutted the interior of a log kit home). I have just finished ... A: I would look at WaterLox Original, which is a Tung oil/Varnish product available in several ... | |
| Removing oils from kitchen cabinets | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: I had solid oak kitchen cabinet door, approx 18 years old in my kitchen. When I moved into my house ... A: One of the problems with any refinishing is proper cleaning and prep of the surfaces. In a kitchen ... | |
| wood compatability | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: I'm going to be building an 8'x8' bookcase to match 2 other bookcases in a home built in the 1930's. ... A: they're similar in durability and expansion/contraction, but they do not finish similarly. Birch is ... | |
| A $1.00 garage sale antique table | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: I am not sure how to repair the top of the table as some of the wood has separated where it was ... A: this can be a tough repair if the shrinkage or separations aren't perfectly parallel. You'll need to ... | |
| Refinishing antique moulding | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: I have moulding from a 300 yr old house. Chestnut I think. It has its original cream/white paint. ... A: that's really an aesthetic question, it really depends on what condition the molding is in under the ... | |
| Refinishing oak | 8/15/2009 |
| Q: I have an oak shadowbox frame that I would like to refinish in the chocolate/Java brown or black ... A: the black finish would be the easiest to pull off, and you can use Krylon Satin or Flat Black spray ... | |
| repairing door trim | 8/13/2009 |
| Q: there are several door trims in the house where either the paint has chipped, or the wood is ... A: typically painted trim can be filled, repaired, and then just spot primed and repainted. Only if the ... | |
| A Plastic shell over wood... | 8/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a wood buffet that I am converting into a guinea pig hutch, and I am wondering if there is a ... A: I'm assuming you're really looking to totally waterproof the area, but it's almost impossible to ... | |
| Finishing | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I have just built a large dining table for my farm house in VT. It is 9' long and 4' wide. it is ... A: sounds beautiful....and big! I would steer you towards WaterLox, a Tung oil/Varnish blend, that ... | |
| securing a heavy headboard | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: Given a manufactured cedar door(probably used as a suana enrance) 2.5 inches thick, 24 inches wide ... A: a floating tenon, or surface mounted brace,(or routed into the legs and back), from 1/2" cabinet ... | |
| sealing wood | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: I had two cabinet doors made approximately 27x40. Typical tongue and groove construction, wood. ... A: There's no way you'll be able to stop any wood movement with a finish alone. These are really tall ... | |
| sealing wood | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: I had two cabinet doors made approximately 27x40. Typical tongue and groove construction, wood. ... A: tell me a little more please. What type of wood are the doors made from? Are they stile and rail ... | |
| table top needs finishing without replacing the glass | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: I recently picked up an octagon shaped wooden end table at Goodwill. The top of the table has a ... A: what your referring to is a poured epoxy coating. I don't think an end table sized piece of glass ... | |
| Cost to Restain Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: How much it would cost to restain kitchen and bathroom cabinets? The cabinets are new (ash-I ... A: it would be very expensive to refinish new cabinets. They are not just stained, but likely have a ... | |
| Rosewood furniture - light haze | 8/8/2009 |
| Q: Greg, I saw a couple of individuals having the same question regarding cleaning rosewood furniture ... A: the hazing could be caused by many things, heat, chemicals, or the finish just breaking down from ... | |
| dull spots on 1970's cabinets | 8/7/2009 |
| Q: I live in a house which was built in 1976. The kitchen cabinets are a dark brown stain. The areas ... A: the finish is probably at it's serviceable life, and it's likely a lacquer.It will start to degrade ... | |
| Changing Whitewash Cabinets | 8/7/2009 |
| Q: We have whitewash ash cabinets in our kitchen and bathrooms. We would like to go to a darker ... A: you would need to completely strip the cabinets of the existing finish, a large job, and then they ... | |
| Dents and scratches | 8/6/2009 |
| Q: Is there a product that will fill in scratches and small dents on furniture? All the regular ... A: typically on a finished surface, there isn't something that can fill in a dent or scratch to make it ... | |
| Pine Panelling | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: found a question you had answered about pine panelling that had darkened leaving lighter patches ... A: it's possible, but trying to make an exact match would take quite a bit of fiddling and color ... | |
| Water damage to a birch table top | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: I have a gorgeous Heywood Wakefield dining table made of birch wood. A couple of days ago, the vase ... A: PLEASE don't put Mayonnaise on your furniture. The only thing that does is allow the wood to soak up ... | |
| garage doors | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: What can I do to pull a stain out of my garage doors if I feel it is too red and want to make it a ... A: unfortunately reds are the hardest to remove or change "browner". This stain is also an interior ... | |
| white kitchen cabinets | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: I am building a new house and I would like to have white kitchen cabinets. I am curious which is the ... A: a U/V finish does not sound like a paint finish, and any good kitchen cabinet manufacturer wouldn't ... | |
| New dining room table- can I make finish stronger | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: We just bought a new formal dining room table. I am concerned that the finish seems to scratch ... A: your new table is probably lacquer,but it could be a newer finish type as well and therefore you ... | |
| cabinetry | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: Hope all is well since last time I spoke to you about the warped cabinet doors in Greenwich. They ... A: Hey Mike, when you said "gates", I guess I envisioned something like a driveway gate.....something a ... | |
| cabinetry | 8/1/2009 |
| Q: Hope all is well since last time I spoke to you about the warped cabinet doors in Greenwich. They ... A: Hey Mike, sorry I didn't leave my contact info, been back and forth to my summer cottage in Maine ... | |
| Slab Panel Cabinet Doors | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: I have 3/4" birch plywood cabinet doors from the mid-60s. I would like to cut our the centers ... A: yes, you would risk the doors warping, although if they're flat now, they're probably fairly stable ... | |
| bowed molding | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: I just finished repainting my living room. The window trim had MANY layers of old paint (my house ... A: What size nails are you using? You may need something 2 1/2" or longer,and with a 6" wide piece of ... | |
| Wood Dresser Drawer | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: I just bought a wood dresser drawer at a tag sale. It is cherry. All the drawer glides are wood and ... A: the first thing to do is to put it in a dry location and put a fan near(not on it, just keep the air ... | |
| bowed molding | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: I just finished repainting my living room. The window trim had MANY layers of old paint (my house ... A: Hey Adam, there's wood under the plaster, especially next to door jambs and windows. There are ... | |
| urethane finishes | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: we purchased birch colored countertops from Ikea because we loved the color - very very light with ... A: You can certainly try that, just remember that the Waterlox is a penetrating finish, and the stain ... | |
| Staining old cabinets | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: I have old kitchen cabinets that I am refinishing, don't know what kind of wood I am thinking Pine. ... A: Hey Tim, stain alone will look dull when dry, and typically stain is clear coated for depth and ... | |
| restaining | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I have banisters and beams in a house that are a deep dark brown. Now the house is being remodeled ... A: sure you could paint, but it is a bit of a challenge on a very rough surface, you could also box the ... | |
| urethane finishes | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: we purchased birch colored countertops from Ikea because we loved the color - very very light with ... A: anything that wets the wood will change it's color, even the waterborne urethanes....but they will ... | |
| Stain fixes | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased a cherry sleigh bed at an estate sale and the only visible flaw is on the ... A: unfortunately there really isn't an easy way to do what you're suggesting, and usually this type of ... | |
| cherry lumber | 7/26/2009 |
| Q: I am remodeling my basement and recently got a good deal on rough cut kiln dried cherry lumber and ... A: Hey Greg, wow a whole basement of Cherry will be worth a small fortune.....it really depends on the ... | |
| wet desk drawers | 7/26/2009 |
| Q: I was refinishing a desk and drawers outside under a canopy. We had to leave for several hours and ... A: there may be no way to save them, and I apologize for the late answer as I was away for a week with ... | |
| loose teak chairs | 7/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a teak dining room set, about 22 years old, was not faithful in oiling it last 10 years. One ... A: yes, they can be repaired. They will need to be reglued with the proper glue, (depending what was ... | |
| table repair | 7/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a high end, hand-painted, white washed pine dining room table by Pulaski. I took the table ... A: Yes you need to really polish it(VERB), which takes a lot of "elbow grease". Make a pad about 3"x3" ... | |
| painted laquer furniture | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: I have a king bedroom set about 10 yrs old. I have an enormous bedroom and I love the design and ... A: I wouldn't suggest painting over a highly lacquered finish, but they could be lacquered with a ... | |
| Cabinets in manufactured home | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: The cabinets and all the trim are a very light weight wood with a thick paper finish that makes it ... A: you can make the necessary repairs with wood glue and clamps, the clean it well and prime and paint, ... | |
| Kitchen Cabinets | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: In preparing to stain kitchen cabinets, I used "stainable" wood putty to fill (hardware) holes and ... A: typically any filler has to be "spot"stained after the initial staining to hope to make a match. ... | |
| Teak Refinish | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: Unfortunately some latex paint leaked out the bottom of an old can onto my wife's 20+ year old ... A: typically this type of damage can only be fixed by stripping and refinishing the top. If you're ... | |
| Refinishing Veneer Kitchen Cabinets | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: I have laminate/veneer kitchen cabinets that are ugly dark brown. Is there anyway that I can ... A: there are many posts in regards to your question if you read around the forum, you can strip them,(a ... | |
| Orange/red toned wood | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: We are redoing an old Michigan farm house built in the 40s. The floors are either a pine or perhaps ... A: It is what it ....is is right, and it will mellow with age. I would stay away from trying any type ... | |
| Painting my Coffee Table | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: I finally had time! so dashed to the Hardware store to purchase the paints. My round Pottery Barn ... A: You should have scuff sanded or stripped to start. 3 coats of primer is really too much. A single ... | |
| how to finish cherry cabinets | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: I've had my kitchen cabinets custom built but I am going to finish them myself. The cabinets are ... A: I wouldn't suggest you try finishing a kitchen full of cabinets yourself unless you have a lot of ... | |
| Orange/red toned wood | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: We are redoing an old Michigan farm house built in the 40s. The floors are either a pine or perhaps ... A: sounds like Fir or "longleaf or Heartwood" Pine, which does have a beautiful reddish tone, and ... | |
| willow furniture | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: I have an old willow chair that has some wear from behing out in the rain and I'd like to get it ... A: it depends on how badly it is damaged, and what was on it originally, and I can't tell you that. ... | |
| table repair | 7/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a high end, hand-painted, white washed pine dining room table by Pulaski. I took the table ... A: strange that it would transfer like that from an upholstery fabric. You might be able to polish them ... | |
| pedestal for bar fridge | 7/17/2009 |
| Q: I am planning to purchase a 4.2 cubic "bar" fridge to give me some extra refrigeration space in my ... A: I'm sure you could easily build some type of pedestal/cabinet to elevate the fridge, but I am not ... | |
| Is my table fixable? Pet problem | 7/17/2009 |
| Q: My question is I have a 5 month old puppy and she has been chewing on my coffee table that I just ... A: it may be fixable by a Pro restorer, but it will probably not be fixable to the point that it can't ... | |
| refinishing bedroom furniture | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: I have an oak bedroom set that is stained a golden colour. I have stripped the night table and ... A: I'm a bit confused when you say you stripped the piece but didn't sand down to bare wood. Stripping ... | |
| Painting existing stained woodwork | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: I would like to paint over existing stained woodwork such as door casings, chair rails, and crown ... A: easy to paint over the stained woodwork, just clean it, prime it and paint. The restaining is the ... | |
| Pecan Stain | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: I have just finished sanding a large piece of diseased pecan for a fireplace mantle. I want the ... A: Teak oil would be fine, but takes rather long to dry and can be a fairly dark brown. I would get a ... | |
| Re: Exterior Oak Windows | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a problem with the exterior face of oak windows. Unwisely we applied a clear lacquer which ... A: I believe they were referring to a scraper, like a cabinet scraper which is basically a small ... | |
| finish on furniture | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a number of pieces of Ethan Allen furniture. The finish has degraded over the years by ... A: This sounds like the finish is soft, not something ON the finish, and the Howards can soften a ... | |
| finish on furniture | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a number of pieces of Ethan Allen furniture. The finish has degraded over the years by ... A: Hey Lee, it's unusual that this finish would degrade the way you say it is,..how often do you polish ... | |
| Finishing Cherry | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I'm making cherry cabinets and I asked a friend how to finish them. I want to obtain a tan finish to ... A: once you use a dewaxed shellac sealer, the Linseed oil will not penetrate, making that step really ... | |
| Finish for painted metal wall pocket | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I plan to attach two metal wall pockets to the exterior of my stucco house. I purchased these thin ... A: I'm afraid I agree that the primer and flat latex house paint is a bad idea, especially if they ... | |
| chipping dining room table - help! | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a 1 year old dining room table that has a tendency to chip, especially when water (from a ... A: in this situation a strip and refinish is really the best course of action. These tables usually ... | |
| wood finishing | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: i have got a new tea table with unfunished surface. i like to give it a good finishing personally . ... A: I have no idea what products you can get in India, so I really cannot advise you. If you can find a ... | |
| pickleing | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: i have a fresh white oak floor (UNFINISHED) that i want a pickle finish on. how do i do it A: Trying to pickle a floor is difficult even for a Pro finisher, as it's such a large expanse of area ... | |
| Wood floor scuff | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: My husband dragged some furniture over our hardwood floors leaving a significan scuff that won't ... A: it might, but you'll need to make a match with the sheen of the poly, (satin, semi gloss,gloss)). ... | |
| Refinishing Hardwood Kitchen Counters & Cabinets | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: As you can (hopefully) see from the attached photo, I have a beautiful kitchen, with solid hardwood ... A: typically, polyurethane doesn't repair well, especially from that era, so the best bet is to strip ... | |
| cloudy finish | 7/8/2009 |
| Q: I purchased hardwood chairs w/a dark stain last year from Pottery Barn. They sit in a sunny area ... A: "Lemon Oil", is really a misnomer, and it's really white mineral oil with fragrance oils and other ... | |
| Cedar lined closet | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: We have a cedar lined closet. Would you know how long the effectiveness of the "cedar" lasts? It ... A: Sanding with an orbital sander will expose fresh Cedar, and might renew some odor for a time, but ... | |
| Missing piece for my file drawer | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: We recently moved across country and I had to move my roll top desk. In doing so, I have lost one ... A: I don't think you can find an exact match, but you can find many different sized flat metal bar ... | |
| Cedar wall paneling | 7/5/2009 |
| Q: I sent a message previously, and am unsure if it went through to you. The question we have is how ... A: a Cedar lined closet may not prevent insects from inhabiting the clothes, unless it's air tight, ... | |
| Repair wood Sleigh bedframe | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: 7-4-09 Mr. Greg Scholl, I recently had my wood sleigh bed frame damaged. There are knicks, dents ... A: I couldn't give you an idea without seeing the damage, and I'm on the east coast. You should be able ... | |
| black in the wood grain | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing a Heywood Wakefield (birch) corner coffee table. After stripping the old stain and ... A: blackness is usually caused by water damage, and/or mineral staining from water. You can get some ... | |
| Damaged Kitchen Cabinet Door | 7/3/2009 |
| Q: I stuck one of my sons drawings on a kitchen door cupboard with selotape. A few months later when I ... A: this type of damage is difficult to touch up well, even for an experienced restorer, especially if ... | |
| warping mdf cabinet doors | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: We are doing a large kitchen in Greenwich Ct. $190k The cabinet builder made cabinet doors from ... A: and I also use Condon's occasionally, they also have Marine grade plywoods and 12' sheetgoods. I ... | |
| Yellowing with age | 7/1/2009 |
| Q: I have a Lane bedroom set manufactured in the 80's that is finished in a light ash veneer. I ... A: if the finish is yellowing all over the piece, then it's likely the lacquer aging and yellowing due ... | |
| Wood Kitchen Cabinets | 7/1/2009 |
| Q: What is the best way to clear coat cabinets after they have been stained, ie: polyurethane vs. wood ... A: Hey Tony, what a loaded question.....it really depends on several variables....like: what's your ... | |
| wooden knobs | 6/30/2009 |
| Q: I have wooden dresser with wooden knobs (soft wood I think a type of pine wood) that constantly fall ... A: this sounds like a bizarre arrangement, and one I haven't seen, unless the threaded piece of metal ... | |
| what marks on kitchen cabinets | 6/30/2009 |
| Q: I have been refinishing my kitchen cabinets and this is the third time I have come across this issue ... A: The finish on your cabinets is almost certainly a catalyzed lacquer or varnish, over various sealer, ... | |
| Can I put varnish over tung oil | 6/30/2009 |
| Q: I work with reclaimed barn wood and have table right now I am working on made from reclaimed pine. I ... A: could you please elaborate a little on your method of application? I'm confused by your statement "4 ... | |
| Refinishing Blonde vintage furniture | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: I purchased a blonde 1940's bedroom set this weekend. The tops of the end tables and dresser are ... A: it depends on the original finish, when you say "blonde", do you mean just a light very clear ... | |
| Oak Kitchen Cabinets | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: If you have answered this question before, can you lead me to the date and question so that you ... A: first of all, thanks for your service too! I have this question a lot, so let me sum it up for you ... | |
| warping mdf cabinet doors | 6/28/2009 |
| Q: We are doing a large kitchen in Greenwich Ct. $190k The cabinet builder made cabinet doors from ... A: Hey Mike, yeah my brother Jeff lives in the Startford area. I checked out your site, and I'm very ... | |
| warping mdf cabinet doors | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: We are doing a large kitchen in Greenwich Ct. $190k The cabinet builder made cabinet doors from ... A: The HDF uses different polymer adhesives bonded under high pressure for an extremely dense fiber ... | |
| warping mdf cabinet doors | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: We are doing a large kitchen in Greenwich Ct. $190k The cabinet builder made cabinet doors from ... A: Hey Mike, 190k huh??? WOW.....for this kind of $ they should've been using solid walnut....one of ... | |
| Wingback chair plan/kit | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: Greg, I am also desperately in search of a plan/DIY kit to assist me in making my own wingback ... A: I have ordered from Chervan before, they make a nice product, you could contact them; ... | |
| Partial refinish for kitchen cabinets | 6/26/2009 |
| Q: From the title, I would like to "easily" strip the finish from a cabinet under the sink and retone ... A: Any good commercially available stripper would likely work, I use Citristrip now almost exclusively, ... | |
| glazing over pickled oak cabinets | 6/26/2009 |
| Q: I want to glaze over new, finished pickled oak cabinets with a soft brown shade. After testing on ... A: unfortunately with Oak, it will get in all the pores, (depending on the finish, as some will fill ... | |
| refinishing simulated wood deck | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: I read your answer to another lady about NOT trying to refinish a bathroom cabinet. My problem is ... A: this stuff refinishes like crap, but you could clean it well, glue down any loose edges, ... | |
| Changing my Fruitwood kitchen cabinets to Antique white with a brown/cocoa glaze | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: I am remodeling my kitchen & have just installed Ubatuba granite. My kitchen cabinets are ... A: this is really not a job for the "do it yourselfer"....and this is one reason why you won't find an ... | |
| rice bed post replacement | 6/22/2009 |
| Q: We have a rice bed with 4 all posts which limit where we can place the bed in a room because of ... A: It would depend on the construction of your particular bed. Some posts are glued together into one ... | |
| repainting dark wood kitchen table | 6/21/2009 |
| Q: what will i need to repaint the table and also the chairs? A: Repaint? Originally it most likely wasn't painted, it would be likely lacquered. It really depends ... | |
| Partial refinish for kitchen cabinets | 6/20/2009 |
| Q: From the title, I would like to "easily" strip the finish from a cabinet under the sink and retone ... A: yep you likely can. But it takes a fair amount of skill to do this unless you are familiar with the ... | |
| refinishing wooden cabinet doors | 6/20/2009 |
| Q: My cabinets are walnut stained but seem to have a light paint underneith the stain. The reason I say ... A: Unfortunately I don't think this is a good idea. It takes familiarity with the finishes and ... | |
| refinish cabinets | 6/19/2009 |
| Q: I want to refinish ? pine cabinets-take ployurethane is almost off-cupboards are dull;is sanding ... A: not sure i get the question...."take polyurethane is almost off"? Are these cabinets a factory ... | |
| Replacing table slides | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: The slides on my (fairly new!) table shattered, and I ordered replacement ones (from a different ... A: the slides and the table should be in the closed position when mounting the new slides. You just ... | |
| wood and leather refinishing | 6/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a pair of end-tables with leather inlays that I bought at a yard sale. They are in need of ... A: usually if the finish on the leather (it is likely finished with lacquer) can't be restored, then ... | |
| Which one is environment & nature friendly & user friendly&water proof for covering kitchen cabinets | 6/17/2009 |
| Q: which one is environment & nature friendly & user friendly & water proof & water resistant & steam ... A: I am unsure if you are asking about a building material to use instead of wood, or a finish to use ... | |
| refinishing oak andorandack chairs | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: these chairs are beautiful custom made but made of oak and then varnished or urethaned. As you might ... A: Hey Bill, I would strip them with a furniture stripper first, because I don't think a deck stripper ... | |
| Maple Kitchen Cabinets | 6/15/2009 |
| Q: My kitchen cabinets are 13years old and in very good condition. I clean them with warm water and ... A: Ahhh...that would explain it. I'm not too sure what to recommend to you in that part of the world, ... | |
| finishing a maple piece with tung oil | 6/15/2009 |
| Q: We have been finishing an unfinished maple chest of drawers with tung oil. We put the last coat on ... A: Pure Tung oil needs to be thinned with some solvent or it won't dry properly....hopefully you did ... | |
| Cat Claws Corner of Cabinets | 6/14/2009 |
| Q: I'm moving out of an apartment and want to repair scratches left behind by my cat. It appears to be ... A: unfortunately these vinyl veneers with particle board underneath are really impossible to repair, or ... | |
| stripping pickled oak chairs | 6/13/2009 |
| Q: I have started a project of stripping 6 oak chairs that have a whitewash and lacquer finish on them. ... A: You could try that, yes....and if that doesn't work then a two part wood bleach, but It's kind of ... | |
| red oak cabinets | 6/13/2009 |
| Q: I read your response to someone who had sanded down their staircase railings and wanted to preserve ... A: An Acrylic urethane or a lacquer would leave the cabinets the lightest. Catalyzed finishes ... | |
| stripping pickled oak chairs | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: I have started a project of stripping 6 oak chairs that have a whitewash and lacquer finish on them. ... A: yes Oak has deep pores, and trying to get all of the pigment out of them can be challenging. Buy a ... | |
| refurbishing cherry kitchen cabinets | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: I have 25 year old kitchen cabinets. They probably have polyurethane varnish on them. Some of the ... A: Lacquers (and catalyzed lacquers where just coming on the market around that time, a two part, ... | |
| refurbishing cherry kitchen cabinets | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: I have 25 year old kitchen cabinets. They probably have polyurethane varnish on them. Some of the ... A: most likely your cabinets are not polyurethane, but lacquer. Lacquer can only be recoated with ... | |
| Refinishing laminated Birch | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a Birch Laminate rifle stock in a light brown/tan color that I would like to strip and ... A: Hey Shawn, it should be fine to remove the finish...and no, it won't delaminate the stock, unless ... | |
| painting oak cabinets | 6/9/2009 |
| Q: We have a golden oak kitchen and are interested in painting them for a more modern look What is your ... A: Oil Paint is fine, and will likely give even better results....but it's very susceptible to dust ... | |
| safety about using mdf board | 6/9/2009 |
| Q: Do you know any danger to health when using mdf board as a head board (upholstered)? I read there's ... A: MDF was once lot worse than it is now, and certain companies are now producing Formaldahyde free ... | |
| paintint oak cabinets | 6/7/2009 |
| Q: We have a golden oak kitchen and are interested in painting them for a more modern look What is your ... A: Hey Tom it's a huge job, but can be done....clean the cabinets well with a degreaser, depending on ... | |
| refinishing old t&g wallboard | 6/7/2009 |
| Q: I am demolishing an old cottage that has 6,8,12" pine t&G on the interior walls. I've salvaged the ... A: Hey Steve, trying to plane or sand off the old varnish will gum up any machine rather quickly, but, ... | |
| Veneer Removal | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: I have a duncan fife drop leaf table that needs veneer removed i ahve tried a heat gun but very time ... A: Strip the area of all finish, sand it with 120 to deglaze it, then take a steam iron set on med.high ... | |
| Finishing kitchen | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: I'm working on a kitchen cabinet project and I want a real good finish comparable to one being ... A: Spraying is always going to give you a better, smoother finish than any brush applied finish. The ... | |
| Refinishing a Veneer | 6/4/2009 |
| Q: To start, thank you for you time in answering this question. Now, I have a 30-35 year old chess ... A: a good stripper won't hurt the veneer, if you're gentle with it. It's really the only way to remove ... | |
| Finishing kitchen | 6/4/2009 |
| Q: I'm working on a kitchen cabinet project and I want a real good finish comparable to one being ... A: Hey Jason, it's hard to advise you to attempt this type of finishing if you haven't any experience ... | |
| Minwax stainer | 6/3/2009 |
| Q: I hope you don't get mad at my stupidity... I made a huge huge mistake >.< I bought some cabinet ... A: Sorry to say that you're right .....you've made a HUGE mistake, and there's no choice but to remove ... | |
| Refinishing a old rocking chair | 6/3/2009 |
| Q: I found a old rocker from a yard it a pretty big one at that, well I'm having a pain getting all the ... A: any good paste type stripper will work for you, a good hardware store or home Center will be able to ... | |
| waxing | 6/3/2009 |
| Q: I'm refinishing kitchen cabinets and using a polyurethane. i have gone to the big box stores to ask ... A: sanding between coats is only necessary if the application dried rough to the touch. If sanding is ... | |
| stain turning gray | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: On 7/4/08 we had a flood in our laundry room through the Kitchen into the hall and down to the ... A: Tannins wouldn't turn the Red Oak gray, moisture can turn Oak gray-black, but it would take a fair ... | |
| Refinishing weather damaged mohagany door | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: Greg, I am refinishing a fine mahogany front door which has been partially exposed to weather for ... A: do you know that the door was finished with Spar? I hesitate to recommend coating an old Spar finish ... | |
| Very poor staining | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: My sister had some Custom Cabinets made by a cabinet maker. They came unfinished but the cabinet ... A: finishing Maple cabinets is tricky to do right, as this wood tends to "blotch" when staining, and ... | |
| measuring circumference | 5/31/2009 |
| Q: Greetings, I have a question in regard to putting veneer around the circumference of a table using ... A: I'm kind of at a loss here to explain how you could be 2" short...that doesn't make sense to me. If ... | |
| old wood laminate cabinet | 5/31/2009 |
| Q: I would like to refinish and old antique cabinet and it has wood laminate on it and it hascracked ... A: you'll have to glue all the loose areas down, using something like a pallet knife and the right ... | |
| measuring circumference | 5/30/2009 |
| Q: Greetings, I have a question in regard to putting veneer around the circumference of a table using ... A: Did you use the same measuring tape to measure out the bendie board? Sewing tapes are not the same ... | |
| knotty pine kitchen cabinets | 5/30/2009 |
| Q: Greg, thanks for your time. Our kitchen has 50 year knotty pine cabinets and walls. While wood is ... A: there's no way to lighten the cabinets easily....it would mean stripping the old finish and ... | |
| wood staining | 5/29/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to strip and stain my guest bathroom vanity, I started on the side by spraying some wood ... A: ...Paint?lol... There's no way to strip this stuff without ruining it, and now you may have ruined ... | |
| oak headboard | 5/29/2009 |
| Q: I recently made a oak headboard and I stained it,and finished it in polycrylic in the spray can,what ... A: You can always use a paste wax over a fully cured finish, but it won't really give your finish ... | |
| Care and cleaning of Rosewood furniture | 5/28/2009 |
| Q: I have many pieces of rosewood furniture we had made in HongKong when we lived there. I was told to ... A: it depends on how they were finished, but honestly, I would NOT apply water and vinegar to ANY ... | |
| stain turning gray | 5/28/2009 |
| Q: On 7/4/08 we had a flood in our laundry room through the Kitchen into the hall and down to the ... A: I'm not familiar with the Becker Acroma line of products,so this would be an answer he should get ... | |
| cabinets | 5/27/2009 |
| Q: First of all, Thank you for your time. I would like new kitchen cabinets. I want white - so I think ... A: no Poplar is not too soft, and is used routinely for cabinets that will have an opaque finish. ... | |
| clear coating on wood cabinets. | 5/27/2009 |
| Q: I need to put a very chemicaly resistant clear coating/sealer on laboratory cabinets. What is the ... A: A catalyzed lacquer or catalyzed Varnish type product is probably a good bet, but these are not DIY ... | |
| presswood cabinets | 5/27/2009 |
| Q: so I have old pressed wood looking cabinets in my kitchen. I would like to make them look better. I ... A: If they are "pressed wood", likely MDF, they probably have a genuine Vinyl veneer or similar, which ... | |
| Sticky Stain Removal | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: I recently decided to touch up my wooden kitchen chairs with an English Chestnut stain by Minwax. ... A: Minwax stains CANNOT be use over ANY existing finish....and it does say so on the can. You'll have ... | |
| Wood in Humidity and Dry climates | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a hutch and table made of teak wood that was made in Belgium. Moved to las vegas ... A: it really should be ok, IF you are careful to take care of it.......the real climate that matters is ... | |
| how to make this match my headboard | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: i have 2 post that i want to add to each side of a headboard i have the post are black came off ... A: I think that would not make a match you will like...it will look like you painted it, and an opaque ... | |
| Teak vs. Oak | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could help me with a difficult decision. I am choosing between two equal ... A: really no appreciable difference, as long as the manufacturer used properly dried wood.Both are ... | |
| refinishing piano cabinet | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: I have a 1904 Steinway upright that appears almost black and crackled. There are a few spots that ... A: the "black and crackled" surface is the old Varnish (possibly shellac). It has broken down and turns ... | |
| Removing scented oil from Ethan Allen Country Colors dining table | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: We had a Bed & Bath Words "Scentport" diffuser with lavender chamomile oil leak onto our Ethan Allen ... A: unfortunately, the solvents in the scent diffuser will melt the finish, and there's no way for you ... | |
| Sanding tool for Vanity | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: We have a light oak vanity which is varnished. I go to know I could use a paint/varnish remover to ... A: once properly stripped the vanity should need almost no sanding, so just a piece of 150 grit ... | |
| Dining room table refinishing | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: I have recently inherited a dining set from my in-laws. None of the furiture is my taste, however, ... A: it would be very unusual to have Formica on a dining table top, and it wouldn't be finished over it, ... | |
| Cabinet restain | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: we have natural cherry cabinets with clear coat. They are simple mission styel. we are redoing the ... A: Refacing?? Honestly, there's no easy way to do what you want to the existing cabinets, and if you ... | |
| new kitchen cabinets | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I are remodeling our kitchen. Stripped down to the skeleton and starting from ... A: I have never heard of a kitchen cabinet maker that recommends someone else finish his cabinets. Does ... | |
| super glue vapors | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: I used super glue to join a magnets to a plastic disks for a school project. I put them on a paper ... A: yes it sounds like the solvent vapors may have left the marks...you could try some "Goo Gone", a ... | |
| new kitchen cabinets | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I are remodeling our kitchen. Stripped down to the skeleton and starting from ... A: Conventional lacquer used on furniture is not a good choice, but catalyzed lacquers and Urethanes ... | |
| Waxing a lacquer finish | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: A friend and I have made some oak tables with a lacquer finish. Can we use a wax after the final ... A: you can use wax, but keep in mind that it will make it quite shiny, and will then need periodic ... | |
| Cat gnawed woodwork. Options for repair? | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: I am hopeful you can point me to a few options. I just discovered that my cat gnawed the corners of ... A: As an owner of two rescued cats, I want to thank you for what you're doing. I think you'll find that ... | |
| Cat gnawed woodwork. Options for repair? | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: I am hopeful you can point me to a few options. I just discovered that my cat gnawed the corners of ... A: it's quite unusual for a cat to gnaw furniture, sharpen it's claws, yes....but not ... | |
| Staining old table | 5/17/2009 |
| Q: I decided to stain our old kitchen oak table after lightly sanding it. I put on a pretty good coat ... A: lightly sanding an old finish is not proper prep for using a stain, and it probably says so on the ... | |
| clear coating on maple veneer | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: Greg. The large reception desk in the office was custom made of "figured maple veneer with clear ... A: I wish the picture was a little better...it looks like a typical cell phone pic...there are a number ... | |
| drawer knobs | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: I am looking for cabinet knobs. Many do no project enough to get past the trim around face of ... A: There are backplates available for many knob styles... there are knobs that are deeper than some, ... | |
| wood wall treatment | 5/15/2009 |
| Q: We just built a new room onto our house & the interior walls & ceiling are made of red cedar & white ... A: pure Tung oil can be quite dark, and will darken the wood more over time. There are other ... | |
| cat spray or urine on wood | 5/14/2009 |
| Q: While carpeting a bookcase was left outside and a cat either sprayed or peed on the back. It's a ... A: first I would recommend using an enzyme based stain/odor remover on the areas, a good pet store will ... | |
| refinishing teak dining table | 5/14/2009 |
| Q: We have a Teak Dining table which must be about 30 years old. I would like to refresh the look. It ... A: typically these older tables were just finished with an oil finish, a satin to flat finish that ... | |
| Wood finish | 5/14/2009 |
| Q: I was fishing today and I hooked into a big old tree root. I pulled it ashore. It is gorgeous and ... A: Hey Steve, at least you caught something! Unfortunately, in order to bring this into your house and ... | |
| oak table refinish | 5/13/2009 |
| Q: an oak table top has been sanded to remove the finish. the sides and legs will remain finished but ... A: I wouldn't suggest paint, as it won't stand up well on a table top like this, and it's difficult to ... | |
| finishing an oak-framed window | 5/13/2009 |
| Q: We had a bay window installed. The frame is vinyl, but it's surrounded by what appears to be sawn ... A: you'll need to match the color, and that may require staining, or it may not, depending on what the ... | |
| Removing Polyurethane | 5/13/2009 |
| Q: I used a 2 step in 1 polyurethane / stain on my scratched table (small portion). The color of the ... A: Hey Chris, typically you would rub out the table top to blend the area, but in this case that ... | |
| refinishing an old wooden desk | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing an old wooden flat top desk 20" x 36" that had a leather inlay 15" x 31". the ... A: you could use felt, but if the desk was made for leather....I would put a leather piece back ... | |
| Removing paint "stains" from old dining table | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to bring a 100+ year old dining table back to natural wood finish (maple or oak). It was ... A: Hey Tim, are you using a methylene chloride stripper? If you're working on an open pored wood like ... | |
| repairing a hole in wood | 5/9/2009 |
| Q: I just installed new cabinets. I came home after being gone two nights to find that a wood rat (we ... A: It definitely won't be funny for long if you let a rat population get out of control....while I have ... | |
| Changing the tone of a stain? | 5/8/2009 |
| Q: I just had my front door stained (it was natural pine), and the color I had chosen (Minwax Gunstock) ... A: unfortunately the only way to do that would be to strip the stain off and start again. Work, ... | |
| repairing a hole in wood | 5/8/2009 |
| Q: I just installed new cabinets. I came home after being gone two nights to find that a wood rat (we ... A: A simple metal plate will not deter a Rat, let alone a family of Rats, especially that they now know ... | |
| Dents in table | 5/8/2009 |
| Q: We have a small dent in our new dinning room table. Checking with the manufacture found it is ... A: I wouldn't try to steam this dent out. Catalyzed finishes are a crosslinked film, like an epoxy. ... | |
| repairing a hole in wood | 5/7/2009 |
| Q: I just installed new cabinets. I came home after being gone two nights to find that a wood rat (we ... A: Wow, two days huh, was there food in the cabinet? I have a few ideas, but none of them are easy ... | |
| Dining Room Chairs | 5/6/2009 |
| Q: My dining room chairs are breaking at the seat box cross joint where the rear legs are ... A: typically the bolts should be tight.....but this design is prone to weakness no matter what you do. ... | |
| Fir interior doors | 5/5/2009 |
| Q: We had solid Fir (unfinished)doors installed along with the hardware. I have two questions: 1. The ... A: How much lubricant are we talking about? Any oil based lube will be tough to completely remove in a ... | |
| Asian Rubberwood table | 5/5/2009 |
| Q: I just purchased a rubberwood table and already have put a scratch on it. I have tried numerous ... A: it's not so much the wood, but the actual finish that's ON the Rubberwood.....probably lacquer or ... | |
| fixing finish on "pickled "finish maple kitchen cabinets | 5/5/2009 |
| Q: My kitchen cabinets are about 15 years old and have a finish called "pickled," but they are not ... A: I get this question very often, and this type of repair is almost impossible to do. These finishes ... | |
| refinishing coffee table | 5/4/2009 |
| Q: I purchased a coffee table at an estate sale because it was big, solid wood and very sturdy so my ... A: It could be a glue residue or something else...I would try a semi paste Methylene chloride stripper, ... | |
| refinishing coffee table | 5/3/2009 |
| Q: I purchased a coffee table at an estate sale because it was big, solid wood and very sturdy so my ... A: what stripper did you use? It looks to me like there is still old finish on the top. Stripping has ... | |
| Repair stained cabinet trim | 5/2/2009 |
| Q: My tile counter top has a wood trim that is maple with a light white wash over it. A reed diffuser ... A: this is a "pickled" finish, and it's a white glaze that's then clear coated, usually with lacquer. ... | |
| attaching gluing leather to wood | 5/2/2009 |
| Q: how do you glue leather onto wood A: it really depends on what the application is....if you're gluing down a tooled leather insert, like ... | |
| refinishing woodwork | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I are refinishing woodwork throughout our house. We are finding alot of empty nail ... A: any filler will usually have to be stained to allow it to blend with the surrounding wood. It can be ... | |
| refinishing rough wood beams | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: Recently purchased a house, which has rough-finished wooden beams along ceiling, walls and even a ... A: in a word.....No. There isn't an easy way to deal with this type of beam, a lot of people would have ... | |
| wood table | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: How do I recess a 36" table by 1/2" and leave a 2" lip on along the edge? I'm not familiar with ... A: The easiest way would be to build up the 1/2" x 2" edge as a separate piece. "recessing", meaning ... | |
| T & G Pine Paneling | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: The paneling in our living room is T&G pine. It's about 30 years old. It was stained, but not ... A: I'm afraid there isn't much you can do to lighten your paneling. Pine paneling will naturally darken ... | |
| Refinishing dresser | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing a dresser and it has become a never-ending project. I started by sanding the old ... A: that Krylon Clear is a Gloss finish I believe, so it wouldn't be a good choice, (unless you WANT a ... | |
| Refinishing dresser | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing a dresser and it has become a never-ending project. I started by sanding the old ... A: odd problem you're having with the aerosols, perhaps it is something with this certain batch or ... | |
| LEATHER ROCKER RECLINER | 4/23/2009 |
| Q: It looks like 2 broken dowels fell to the floor and the seat feels like it will fall thru if you sit ... A: I would flip it over and see if you can get in underneath, many times there's just a black muslin ... | |
| Cracked veneer | 4/22/2009 |
| Q: I have a 3 panel dressing that we bought about 8 years ago. It has three full length oval mirrors ... A: this sounds like the design is an applique that's seperating from the base coats, or maybe it's done ... | |
| natural cherry cabinets | 4/22/2009 |
| Q: I have natural cherry kitchen cabinets approximately 15 years old that have what appear to be water ... A: I would suggest you find someone else to go to, restoring a finish like this should never be started ... | |
| repair tambour door on appliance garage | 4/21/2009 |
| Q: I am remodeling my kitchen, and painting cabinets. I had to remove the tambour door on my appliance ... A: usually a canvas is used, like Blue jean material, but white....most fabric stores will have some. ... | |
| Oak Table wobbles like a see saw | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: I purchased a beautiful oak table with pedestal in 1987. At this point it really does resemble a ... A: Yes you could get some thicker gauge screws. You'll need to enlarge the holes through the mounting ... | |
| Weatherproofing a raw pine potting bench | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: I just got a potting bench as a thoughtful gift. It has a sheet metal work surface but the rest is ... A: could it be Cedar? It seems odd that it would be just Pine if it was something like a potting bench. ... | |
| natural cherry cabinets | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: I have natural cherry kitchen cabinets approximately 15 years old that have what appear to be water ... A: I'd get a second opinion. "Sanding down" isn't usually associated with restoring or repairing a ... | |
| Oak Table wobbles like a see saw | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: I purchased a beautiful oak table with pedestal in 1987. At this point it really does resemble a ... A: you need to turn the table over and examine the base, legs and feet. Often the legs (or one or two ... | |
| old furniture | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: A friend of mind gave me her old dining room furniture, it is a very dark stained color, (not ... A: it really depends on what type of wood the furniture is made of. In order to make any changes, it ... | |
| resurfacing mdf furniture | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: Good day Greg, I have a bedroom suite from Ashley furniture that is 15 years old. In a few ... A: this type of furniture is usually finished with a multi step, sprayed, toned finish that's capable ... | |
| removing tobacco stains from painted furniture | 4/16/2009 |
| Q: I have a bedroom set from a relative who smoked very heavily. It is beautiful but has a horrible ... A: You'll have to try removing it with mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool, working in small, ... | |
| refinishing table top | 4/16/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought an older claw-foot drop leaf table. It was a bargain, but the top is scratched ... A: from your explanation, it's kind of hard to guess what you're describing....first of all, when ... | |
| sealling a tree trunk | 4/16/2009 |
| Q: I have receantly moved to a rented house and found the most amazing artistic shaped tree trunk in ... A: what you want to do does have risks, involving both undesirable creatures living inside this trunk, ... | |
| Stripping 1920's Built in Hutch | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: My house was built in the 1920's and I have a large original built in hutch (14 cabinets and 14 ... A: I'm sure it could be stripped, but it would be a huge job, and you will be attacking many layers of ... | |
| Restaining kitchen cabinets | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: We have less than 2 years old wood cabinets that were stained a dark walnut but probably never ... A: the only way would be to properly stain and finish the cabinets, and to make them all match, you may ... | |
| dresser repair | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: I have solid wood dresser (tall Boy type). It was my grandma's. It's in really good shape except for ... A: this is a common problem on older pieces, the drawer runners (basically the drawer sides), get worn ... | |
| material for cutting boards | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: Aside from maple, what woods are desirable for cutting boards? Also, is it true that maple has ... A: Hey John, it's not that Maple has any anti-bacterial qualities, it's that it has no pores for ... | |
| haze on rosewood furniture | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: Greg, in response to the questions in your answer to me of 3/28/09 the haze on my rosewood dining ... A: it probably has an oil finish on it, but it could also be lacquer.If it's an Oil finish, you could ... | |
| Repairing Veneer | 4/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a beautiful cherry wood dresser that has a veneer top and I noticed a long thin gash and two ... A: It's available at Home Depot and hardware stores...whether you can easily manipulate it really ... | |
| Coffee table scratches: | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: I have a black wood veneer coffee table with allot of tiny scratches on it. Is there any easy way to ... A: the table is probably lacquered, so you don't want to paint over that. Take some mineral spirits and ... | |
| Finishing teak | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: We've ordered new, unfinished teak diningroom furniture from India. How should we finish it to yield ... A: An oil finish, or a Tung oil/varnish finish is the easiest to apply, and will give you that look...I ... | |
| Repairing Veneer | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: I have a beautiful cherry wood dresser that has a veneer top and I noticed a long thin gash and two ... A: Elmers makes a Latex filler, that's really stain-able...but the key to getting a near invisible ... | |
| How to straighten twisted wood | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: Greg, I am making a countertop out of red oak. The design is a framework that will have 3 glass ... A: Hey Rich, unfortunately, there isn't much you can do with a twist like this other than when you ... | |
| Painting Kitchen Cabinets | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: I'm in the process of repainting my kitchen cabinets. I believe the previous owners tried to stain ... A: using high quality paint and tools, you can get a professional looking result, but it won't look ... | |
| wooden inlaid games table | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: I have an antique backgammon board which is completely wood and ivory inlay. Some of the inlay has ... A: what a beautiful thing....I'm afraid it really doesn't work that way, a finish won't hold the pieces ... | |
| pecan wood refinishing coffee table | 4/6/2009 |
| Q: I have a pecan wood coffee table that I would like to re-finish. The finish is coming off as in the ... A: the table is not just stained....it has a clear finish, too. Please don't sand a finish in prep for ... | |
| dull, worn whitewashed kitchen cabinets | 4/5/2009 |
| Q: How can I brighten-up my existing whitewashed cabinets? The cabinets themselves are in good ... A: I would recommend you stay away from that product. I have fielded a number of questions regarding ... | |
| wood polish | 4/5/2009 |
| Q: please tell me about plastic fumigation or ammonium fumigation? ANSWER: I'm sorry but I don't ... A: I am not familiar with these woods or these methods, here in the U.S. we fume Oak with Ammonia to ... | |
| refinish entertainment center | 4/4/2009 |
| Q: my husband and I purchased what we thought was a really beautiful bookcase/entertainment center a ... A: it's likely that it's not wood in places,or contains very little solid wood... it could be a paper ... | |
| Refinishing Whitewashed Entertainment Center | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: We want to refinish it so that it's a dark wood color, but we have no clue where to even begin. Can ... A: the only way to accomplish that would be to strip it and refinish it, and that's a huge job. If you ... | |
| cabinet stain deterioration | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: Our new custom maple cabinets recently arrived stained and laquered, then all were re-stained a ... A: Hey Brent, thanks for the video post...this is definitely NOT normal. These cabinets do not even ... | |
| Waterproofing of an outdoor fireplace mantel | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: I just purchased a beautiful piece of sourwood that I am going to use as a mantel for an outdoor ... A: Hey mark, I'd lean towards a penetrating oil type product I think, Something designed for decking or ... | |
| weatherproofing faerie houses | 4/1/2009 |
| Q: I plan on taking the craft store kinds of birdhouses, painting them, adding small stones, lichen, ... A: those types of mass produced items, probably aren't designed to last too long, and probably not made ... | |
| Wood Type? | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: How do you tell a soft wood from a hardwood? I am looking for scrap lumber for a project, but I ... A: knowing the species is the best way, but density, weight, and the fingernail test can help. The ... | |
| Fixing hole in wood | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: I replaced a door and had to make another hole in the door jamb for the strike plate, because the ... A: Hey KC, typically, the best repair would be to carefully chisel out a clean square or rectangle ... | |
| kiltchen cabinets | 3/29/2009 |
| Q: I have light kitchen cabinets (birch) that just won't stain to a deep rich chocolate brown. How can ... A: you can't hope to stain Birch a rich, chocolate brown easily. First of all they need to be stripped ... | |
| finish on rosewood table | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: A haze has developed and covers our beautiful rosewood dining table which we bought in China 15 ... A: it's likely a lacquer finish, but could be a Tung oil finish....very hard to know. When you say a ... | |
| Solid Maple Furniture | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: I have several pieces of 40 to 50 year old solid maple furniture. It's beautiful but filthy. I don't ... A: these are almost certainly finished with lacquer, and if it's in good condition, you can try some ... | |
| superglue on furniture | 3/27/2009 |
| Q: Ifollowed the directions given by Michael Fitzpatrick on removing superglue from furniture (upto ... A: you've sanded through the finish which is what you DON'T want to do....so now you have a bigger ... | |
| 1991 builder grade cabinets | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: I have a house that came with what I can only call cheap-popular-1991-builder-grade-cabinets. ... A: I think you're best bet is to replace the doors with a raised panel type with a knob or pull. I ... | |
| Durability of [Oil] Finishes for Kitchen Cabinetry | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: We are trying to decide which cabinet maker to go with for a kitchen project. One company takes ... A: There are quite a few variables to consider...like what the "oil" finish really is. many of these ... | |
| Restoring bookcase with beeswax | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: We applied the beeswax/turpentine mix to bare wood. But it is sticky. What have we done wrong. ... A: best of luck, sometimes just vigorous rubbing with a flannel rag or (my favorite) and old cloth ... | |
| wood staining unevenly | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: I conditioned the wood first as I was adviced to do so it would absorb the stain evenly, applied the ... A: Pine is a soft wood and is notorious for being blotchy, Once the conditioner has a chance to dry ... | |
| Restoring bookcase with beeswax | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: We applied the beeswax/turpentine mix to bare wood. But it is sticky. What have we done wrong. ... A: first of all it sounds like you're applying it way too heavily, second, the wax has to be pure, ... | |
| Refinishing a Bathroom Vanity | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: Greg, Me and my wife recently purchased a bathroom vanity at a yard sale. The piece has some spots ... A: you can rub the piece down with some mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool, working in small sections ... | |
| veneer repair? | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: I have a Thomasville coffee table that I acquired from a family member that I thought was solid ... A: yes that's probably what it means, but I'd be surprised if it was pine...the only way to repair it ... | |
| Fir wood | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: I have been comparing exterior doors. Mahogony, oak and cherry are very nice!! I saw one that was ... A: White Oak and Mahogany, and even cherry will outlast a Fir door. Fir is a fairly soft wood, and a ... | |
| what's the right air guns to apply warnish on furniture | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: I have no clue on the best air gun to be used to apply varnish on wooden furniture as well as ... A: Siphon feed and gravity feed guns would handle oil based products, but you need to plan to have the ... | |
| refinishing my old woodwork | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: We are putting in new laminate floors and took up all the baseboards to fix all the marks from the ... A: that great color comes from years of dirt and the old finish, but it also comes from the way the ... | |
| refinishing antique cherry table | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: I just purchased a cherry dining room set from an estate sale. The buffet and china cabinet are in ... A: a Tung oil finish is a modified varnish, and it's a beautiful finish for Cherry, but it's got a ... | |
| wood polish | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: Can you recommend any polishes for wood? How do I know what makes a good polish versus one that is ... A: I am a fan of oil based polishes that do NOT contain silicones or waxes, which build up and ... | |
| refinish kitchen cabinets | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: I'm looking for some tips on refinishing some cabinets. The job in question is new construction and ... A: Hey Jim, if the primer is sound and smooth, you could probably use the recommended sealer (or ... | |
| finishing new oak doors | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: I have 7 new oak panel doors to install indoors. I'd like them to remain pretty light, or natural, ... A: to remain the lightest you should choose a waterborne Acrylic urethane. These finishes are ... | |
| Staining Old Oak Cabinets | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: I am moving into a house that has solid oak cabinets that are atleast 20 years old. The cabinets ... A: I did mention "toning" in my post there Geoff...but it's part of the staining-sealing operation and ... | |
| table scratches | 3/20/2009 |
| Q: I recently had a table and chairs painted black by a professional furniture repair company. The ... A: did they paint it?...or did they lacquer, urethane it? Typically, a clear coat over the color coat ... | |
| Staining Old Oak Cabinets | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: I am moving into a house that has solid oak cabinets that are atleast 20 years old. The cabinets ... A: stripping is the way to go, but be warned,it may be tough to do. Old Oak does stain easier, but by ... | |
| Cherry vs. Birch or Oak | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: I am putting a bar down in my basement. I purchased American Woodmark Cherry cabinets that will be ... A: Oak looks nothing like Cherry, even if it's colored perfectly like it. It's grain structure and ... | |
| reversing a whitewash | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: I have cabinets that are in good shape but have a whitewash in the crevices. I would like to change ... A: it probably isn't possible to cover the lighter wash effect without stripping off the finish....it ... | |
| Armoire Hinge | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased an armoire that was made in Germany. The hinge on the door is not doing well. ... A: Wow, I have to say I've never seen anything like that....is this a contemporary piece? Is there a ... | |
| tung oil | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: I have just bought a waterfall bedroom set and would like to clean it up and cover scratches,in a ... A: pure tung oil is not advised, what you need is a tung oil finish, a modified tung oil that has ... | |
| Oak built-ins | 3/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a question about my blonde oak built-in cabinets/shelves. I would like them to be darker, ... A: sanding a finish down does not remove it,it needs to be stripped right down to the wood with ... | |
| baseboards for kitchen | 3/17/2009 |
| Q: We are getting new flooring for our kitchen and hallway and will be replacing and adding some ... A: Pine is not a great material for baseboards because it's so soft, and it doesn't stain light ... | |
| New Pine Cabinets Uneven Stain Repair | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: Greg I live on Galveston Bay in Texas. We are in the rebuilding mode after Ike. Anyway, I had ... A: Hey Bill, what finish are you using after sTining?...unfortunately it's not really possible to go ... | |
| Child's Rocking Chair - Preservation | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: We were given a child's rocker that belonged to my husband's granfather, so we estimate it is ... A: Yes, you could shellac it or even just clean and pastewax it, but this will do nothing to prevent ... | |
| Polyurethane on flat panel cabinet doors | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: I am building flat panel, mission style, kitchen cabinet doors using cherry and plan to finish with ... A: You're going to run into these problems if you brush, and thinning really won't have any effect, and ... | |
| refinishing furniture | 3/14/2009 |
| Q: I have a solid wood dresser that is stained in a light oak finish. I would like to refinish that ... A: no, Oak is very hard, and NO stain will do anything to it over a finish....you'll want to strip it ... | |
| fixing a scratch in teak dining room table | 3/14/2009 |
| Q: We incured a scratch in our dining room table. I got online to get some advice to fix the scratch. ... A: no you can't really lighten the color...is it the oil that's darkening it?...if so just treat the ... | |
| Child's Rocking Chair - Preservation | 3/14/2009 |
| Q: We were given a child's rocker that belonged to my husband's granfather, so we estimate it is ... A: I caution you against allowing your children to use it....all paint of that era had lead in it...and ... | |
| kitchen cabinet finish diappearing! | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: Our kitchen cabinet lacquer seems to be disappearing!!! About 4 years ago we had nice solid oak ... A: Water alone shouldn't have this affect on properly finished 4 year old cabinets, especially if you ... | |
| Dresser draw guides/slides broken | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I thought we were getting a great deal on a used matching bureau and dresser set. ... A: are they metal slides, or wooden?......are you handy? It should be fairly straight forward to ... | |
| Want my vanity to look old! | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: I had a bathroom vanity made, problem I do not want to just paint it. I would like for it to look ... A: there are many different ways to get a distressed look, with stains,Dyes, Gels, clear finishes, ... | |
| Curio cabinet, left sliding door, warped | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: How can I fix my curio door? It will only open about 10-12 in. to the left, and then stops. this ... A: could be a few things wrong, so it's very hard for me to tell you how to fix it....the door frame ... | |
| Polyurethane on flat panel cabinet doors | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: I am building flat panel, mission style, kitchen cabinet doors using cherry and plan to finish with ... A: Two things come to mind, First is to eliminate as much possibilty of shrinkage by selecting and ... | |
| Nail polish remover spilt on oak | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: I spilt nail polish remover (acetone free) on my oak table and it ate through the wood before I ... A: I'm pretty sure this is not something you can fix yourself, especially if you can feel that the area ... | |
| kitchen cabinet finish diappearing! | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: Our kitchen cabinet lacquer seems to be disappearing!!! About 4 years ago we had nice solid oak ... A: It is not common for cabinets to "soak" up a finish like lacquer. And three coats of sealer is not a ... | |
| lane recall/taking the wood venere off | 3/5/2009 |
| Q: half or the vevere is alreadt off so I tried to remove the rest with a heat gun.didnt work. tell is ... A: info for the recall is here: http://www.lanefurniture.com/customer_care/newlockcpsc.asp The only ... | |
| KITCHEN CABINETS | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: gREGG, I've read your answer to my previous question on my kitchen cabinets now peeling after ... A: Did you finish the cabinets originally? If so I would be using the same finish to recoat them...it ... | |
| Cane Rocker | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know what to use on my great grandmother's cane rocker, to preserve it. Looks like ... A: I doubt the rocker is made out of cane, it may have a caned seat and back, but the wood is probably ... | |
| Furniture Repair | 3/3/2009 |
| Q: I purchased 2 identical dressers that were originally made (maybe in the 70's) to be hung on a wall. ... A: I'm afraid I don't know anyone in your area, and the logistics of pick up and delivery would ... | |
| Furniture Repair | 3/3/2009 |
| Q: I purchased 2 identical dressers that were originally made (maybe in the 70's) to be hung on a wall. ... A: the tops could be doweled into the sides, or screwed in from a frame inside, you'll have to ... | |
| woodfinishing | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I have built a wood table out of seasoned oak, I'm wondering how to finish it ... A: I usually recommend a wipe on Urethane...and you can stain also with a Gel stain which has a ... | |
| Painting and waterproofing birdhouses | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: I bought some bird houses that I would like to paint with acrylic paint--but what kind of ... A: a high quality Exterior paint is probably good enough, as long as you put on 2-3 coats and are ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: We bought a house about 2 years ago now and the kitchen cabinets looked great(white painted) when we ... A: this is a big problem with no easy fix I'm afraid. It sounds like they didn't use a primer, and it ... | |
| Humidor | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: I'm attempting to make a humidor cabinet for my father in law. It will be 65" tall - 15" deep and ... A: I wasn't trying to talk you out of the project, and it sounds to me like you have the abilities to ... | |
| Polyutherane coating | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: I have recently made a small burn mark on my new high gloss white polyutherane coated table. Is is ... A: that website address doesn't take me any where, perhaps you could check it and post it again? It's ... | |
| Humidor | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: I'm attempting to make a humidor cabinet for my father in law. It will be 65" tall - 15" deep and ... A: Hey Steve, I'm quite concerned about your construction method here, as such a large side panel ... | |
| Kitchen cabinet finishes | 2/27/2009 |
| Q: I just finished building my kitchen cabinets with alder. I will be staining them with gel. What ... A: Hey Roger, that's a loaded question, it really boils down to what you're experience level is. ... | |
| repair of oak medicine cabinet | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: My oak medicine cabinet has some water damage on the bottom of the door from opening and closing ... A: typically if the water damage is bad enough to bother you, you'll need to refinish the whole door to ... | |
| blonde mahogany dinging room set | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a 40 year old American of Martinsville blonde mahogany dining room set that is in need of ... A: your pieces probably were not blonde originally, mahogany turns from reddish-brown to yellow with ... | |
| peeling varnish | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing my kitchen cupboards. They are cherry wood stained walnut, about 30 plus years ... A: you're probably putting Varnish over a lacquer finish which is a big no-no...but it sounds like ... | |
| Painting dining room set w/a 7' cabinet | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: I was wanting to paint my furniture. I have never done this before, so I decided not to refinish. ... A: could you please elaborate? "use color wash to go on top of the white? Will it look like a washed ... | |
| stain on white furniture | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: Hey! My daughter placed colored window decals on her white furniture. They are plastic clingy stuff ... A: the color could have transferred to the white, and it could be permanent...the plasticizers in the ... | |
| replacing cabinet hinges | 2/23/2009 |
| Q: I have face frame hinges on my kitchen cabinets and I took one of the old ones to the store with me ... A: even though they look essentially the same, are you sure the hinge can't be adjusted? Most all of ... | |
| Refinishing Vanity | 2/23/2009 |
| Q: We have a newer home and don't care for the standard oak like finish in our bathroom. Is there a way ... A: refinishing this type of vanity will likely be a real pain, as the modern finishes are tough to ... | |
| Lyson Aerosol on cabinets | 2/21/2009 |
| Q: Ok, I used it on some cabinets before reading the label that said don't use on wood. We were just ... A: Do you mean Lysol perhaps? What made you try Mayo? You may have chemically "burned" the lacquer on ... | |
| Adjust color of wood finish | 2/19/2009 |
| Q: I built a bookshelf for my parents and I'm in the process of applying minwax polyshade (stain + ... A: I'm sorry that your this far into it, and that you chose to use Polyshades. I hate the stuff. If you ... | |
| Dog chewed corner of coffee table! | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: My 8 month old puppy was apparently very bored today while I was at work and he decided to work his ... A: Wow...the caption says it all...it is pretty ruined. There is no way to repair this easily, and the ... | |
| roll top desk. | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing a roll top desk the pieces of wood that fit together to make the actual roll top ... A: Hmmm....wire isn't the kind of thing one can tie off though, and have the pieces remain ... | |
| Staining and finishing exterior front door | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: My son-in-law is building a house and has just installed a mahogany exterior front door that he ... A: are there cracks in the new door? If you mean the small gaps between machined pieces, I wouldn't ... | |
| varnish and lacquer | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: what is the best products for removing varnish and lacquer from solid wood furniture. may thanks ... A: any good semi paste stripper will work on all except the toughest finishes....I use Citristrip ... | |
| roll top desk. | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: I am refinishing a roll top desk the pieces of wood that fit together to make the actual roll top ... A: I have never seen this type of arrangement on a roll top before....so not sure how to advise you. It ... | |
| new stairs | 2/16/2009 |
| Q: We have new stairs installed. Oak treads and poplar risers and rails. Which do I finish first? Paint ... A: I suggest doing the treads first and allowing to dry several days after the final coat. The reason ... | |
| Repairing broken furniture | 2/14/2009 |
| Q: I bought a reproduction antique wooden desk from an auction & two of the legs were broken. Please ... A: As long as the break fits well back together, and it is a glue-able break, meaning that it's not a ... | |
| Purpleheart wood | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: I am going to be making a platform bed and came across some Purpleheart wood. I am a bit confused ... A: all your info is basically correct. Purpleheart will eventually turn browninsh, a UV inhibiting ... | |
| Removing the finish from a 100 year old door. | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: Our wooden front door is 100 years old. The finish on the outside is in very good condition but the ... A: that looks like old Varnish that has reticulated from whatever it was put over. I think you'll need ... | |
| Repairing a Cherry wood Crib | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: My son has put numerous teeth marks in his cherry crib. I would call them nicks or gouges he as ... A: there isn't an easy way to repair this type of damage and I wouldn't even suggest it if he's still ... | |
| scorch on laminate flooring | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: My grandson set the heat lamp from the snake case on the laminate flooring at my daughter's house. ... A: Well a burn is a burn, and it will depend on how deep it goes, but in the case of a solid floor, ... | |
| scorch on laminate flooring | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: My grandson set the heat lamp from the snake case on the laminate flooring at my daughter's house. ... A: unfortunately there isn't a way to repair a burn other than replacing that piece of floor. Some of ... | |
| bubbling on table top, unsure if veneer | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: We recently notice some bubbles on the top of a kitchen table. We're unsure if the top has a veneer ... A: It's possible that the seam could be cut with a razor and then glue forced under the bubbles and ... | |
| bubbling on table top, unsure if veneer | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: We recently notice some bubbles on the top of a kitchen table. We're unsure if the top has a veneer ... A: yes it looks like a thin veneer, did the table get wet? That bubbling looks indicative of a MDF ... | |
| glazing cabinets | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: Gel stain worked but was too hard to control. I tinted an acrylic urethane (white) and it worked on ... A: I have to say I'm still a bit confused...both Cherry and Alder are relatively soft woods and should ... | |
| glazing cabinets | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: Gel stain worked but was too hard to control. I tinted an acrylic urethane (white) and it worked on ... A: Hey Alan, a little confused by your post. You tried Gel stain, which is a pretty easy stain to work ... | |
| refinishing veneered surfaces | 2/5/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering if you have any tips for my refinishing dillema -- as it is not going to be in the ... A: I wouldn't waste the time and effort, I would use the time to put in a little overtime at work to ... | |
| Wood cutting | 2/5/2009 |
| Q: Someone told me that when using a circular saw to cut a piece of wood, it's important to set up the ... A: I assume you mean a hand held circular saw. The main reason for this is just safety. The more blade ... | |
| 40 yrs old kitchen walnut cabinets | 2/5/2009 |
| Q: Have been using OLD English for all these years and the cabinets keep soaking it up. Some places ... A: how often do you use the Old English, and which product is it? It's hard to know how these were ... | |
| Mixing Gel Stains | 2/4/2009 |
| Q: I have just completed making a bed and I was wondering if you can mix gel stains with other stains ... A: I would only advise mixing Gel stains with other Gel stains. They have a Polyurethane carrier, and ... | |
| cloudy finish on table | 2/4/2009 |
| Q: I had some build up on my cherry glossy dining table. Someone suggested to use a wax build up ... A: Hey Jay, ouch....I'm sorry you took that advice before coming here...sounds like you've chemically ... | |
| Kitchen cabinets refinishing | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: The kitchen cupboards in our house are about 35 yr. old. They are a wood grain veneer on particle ... A: I wouldn't recommend putting a whole lot of effort into doing anything to these cabinets, while you ... | |
| oilbase stain | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: I refinish oak kitchen cabinets and applied an oilbase stain. It looked great and I waited 48 hours ... A: sanding a finished surface down does not remove the finish. Even if it looks like you're down to ... | |
| Ethan-Allen General's Chair | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: I was on my way home from my friend's house and i happened to notice 3 chairs in the garbage. When ... A: I can't really guess on value of a chair such as this...Ethan Allen furniture of the mid seventies ... | |
| Furniture Question | 2/2/2009 |
| Q: Scholl, I wanted to ask how I could achieve a rustic/eclectic image like the one shown in the ... A: the picture is rather small and hard to see, but it looks like several techniques going on ... | |
| warping handmade cherry cupboard doors | 2/2/2009 |
| Q: we installed cherry cupboard doors made of 3in pieces glued together last fall.we heat with wood, ... A: unfortunately there isn't much you can do. The only way to minimize warpage is in the construction. ... | |
| Painted Wood v. Stained Wood v. Pickled Stain v. Thermofoil | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: I'm redoing my kitchen at my 1960s beach cottage. I'm there about 2-3 months out of the year - the ... A: any of these would probably hold up fine. "Paint" as you describe it, isn't what they use on kitchen ... | |
| Restoring a dresser | 1/29/2009 |
| Q: Hey Greg, I recently took on a project for my cousin, he gave me a dresser that has some dings and ... A: yes a good primer, ( I like Zinssers Bulls eye 1-2-3.),and an Acrylic enamel in a satin or eggshell ... | |
| Spray Painting Bedside Table | 1/28/2009 |
| Q: Do I need to remove the drawer and cabinet front and spray paint them individually? Or is it better ... A: it's better to take the piece apart and spray each component...practice good painting techniques ... | |
| Broken post on a 4 post cherry wood bed | 1/28/2009 |
| Q: One post is broken and in the center is a wood dowel about 1/2 inch thick. It is glued and has to ... A: I'm surprised to hear that it's only 1/2", often they are 5/8 - 3/4", as that's much heftier. You'll ... | |
| Finishing a Planter | 1/26/2009 |
| Q: I am hoping that you can help answer a question I have concerning exterior finishes. I am building ... A: I would suggest the best exterior primer you can get, as this is what holds the paint to the wood, ... | |
| Restoring a dresser | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: Hey Greg, I recently took on a project for my cousin, he gave me a dresser that has some dings and ... A: Hey John, you can't stain over an existing finish, you'll need to strip the old finish off with ... | |
| Painted veneer kitchen cabinets | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: We cannot afford to replace the kitchen cabinets at the time, however the kitchen needs a facelift ... A: it sounds like it would work, but I do agree that smaller tiles in a small space will make it look ... | |
| refinish | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: Currently I own thomasville furniture the Encounter series and some of the pieces have sun or water ... A: typically this is well made furniture, and will refinish just fine. Ash is similar to Oak and quite ... | |
| fixing trim and a corner of a table | 1/24/2009 |
| Q: my dog has chewed the edge of the trim around our bay window and also the corner of our solid cherry ... A: Yes Elmers is good, but they're all pretty decent, just remember that none of them will give you a ... | |
| fixing trim and a corner of a table | 1/23/2009 |
| Q: my dog has chewed the edge of the trim around our bay window and also the corner of our solid cherry ... A: I would only sand if necessary, and remove any loose splinters, you want to be careful about ... | |
| Stain for white oak? | 1/23/2009 |
| Q: I am building a house and I am having white oak cabinets. I am wanting them stained a really dark ... A: I wouldn't use Oak if you want a dark finish like this. It is true that you'll need a dye stain to ... | |
| refinishing wood cabinets | 1/22/2009 |
| Q: My home has old Rutt cabinets they are great quality but very '65 walnut. Is the stain so old that ... A: if they're real Walnut, you won't be able to lighten them much, if at all. To restain, you'll have ... | |
| wood repair | 1/21/2009 |
| Q: my little girls wooden bed has 2 small circlular balls that were attached to the end of the bed. ... A: I'm assuming it's probably attached with a dowel, glued into a hole in the end of the post. Usually ... | |
| staining birch | 1/21/2009 |
| Q: We have stair case and banister of natural birch with a clear polyurthane finish. We would like to ... A: you should really strip it. I'm assuming you mean the Polyshades from Minwax, and it's really only ... | |
| Choice of wood and finishing techniques | 1/21/2009 |
| Q: I am looking to do a kitchen remodel by myself (with husband and wood worker friend) I really would ... A: I would look at WaterLox, a Tung oil/varnish type product. It applies easily, just like an oil ... | |
| cherry butcherblock countertops | 1/20/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I have just purchased unfinished cherry butcherblock countertops that we plan on ... A: I would look at WaterLox, a Tung oil finish...they have several products that would work for you, ... | |
| Nail polish spill | 1/19/2009 |
| Q: My daughter spilled nail polish on our new black painted dining room table. She then proceeded to ... A: I don't hold much hope that you'll be able to repair or remove this damage....the solvents in the ... | |
| Kitchen cabinet refinishing. | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: Our 8 year old cherry cabinets were sprayed with a clear lacquer finish. It has not held up well ... A: if you're going to only refinish the damaged cabinets, then I would use a catalyzed lacquer because ... | |
| chalking on face of cherry cabinets | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: I'm hoping you can help me. We have beautiful cherry cabinets that are about nine years old. In the ... A: I think I would contact the manufacturer...and ask them about it. Are the affected cabinets near ... | |
| Are there sealants to prevent water rings from glasses on tables? | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: I just purchased a dining table and I am so in love with it, I want it to last and look great for ... A: the best "sealants" are the ones used by the modern furniture industry....meaning the lacquers, ... | |
| staining a 1700's rifle replica | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: I'm working on a project to make a replica of a 1760 flintlock rifle. The stock is Red Curly Maple ... A: I would look at TransTints, which are Dye stain concentrates that can be used in a variety of ways ... | |
| to varnish or seal sanded wood | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: I am in process of renovating the 50 year old staircases, stair railings and ballisters in my home. ... A: the lightest of the finishes are the waterborne urethanes. These are almost "water white", or ... | |
| Glazed look - somewhat easy to achieve? | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: I'm considering purchasing dark brown cabinets from Ikea since they're solid wood, but am afraid ... A: Yes, there can be a multitude of choices out there....I like using Gel stains as a glaze...these are ... | |
| Veneer Table Top | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: We recently bought a second hand oak veneer table. It has some minor damage - we think from candle ... A: regardless of what's on it now, the best course of action is to refinish it properly, and that means ... | |
| Glazed look - somewhat easy to achieve? | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: I'm considering purchasing dark brown cabinets from Ikea since they're solid wood, but am afraid ... A: a glaze is usually applied over a finish to simulate age, dirt, and patina, whereas what you're ... | |
| Baumritter end table | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased this end table at an estate sale. The woman running the sale called it an ... A: Baumritter was the founder of Ethan Allen Furniture, and I believe it became Ethan Allen in the mid ... | |
| Paint/primer | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: I would like to paint my outdated kitchen cabinets. The problem is they are a vinyl overlay over ... A: while I don't recommend painting this type of cabinet, a primer sealer like Zinsser's Bullseye 1-2-3 ... | |
| Wood Tables w/ Leather Inlay | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a customer who ate ate the restaurant picture attached. They have wood edge tables with a ... A: I haven't seen these anywhere, they could be a custom job, I would say contact the restaurant and ... | |
| finnish | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know what kind of finnish to apply to paduak , I plan on making some wine holders ... A: that's a beautiful wood, and it works and sands nicely. I would use a sharp cabinet scraper to clean ... | |
| Question about my new pine table | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: I just bought a rustic pine coffee table. It is stained but not sealed. I want to put a sealant on ... A: Marine products like Spar varnish are pretty tough, but they are also difficult to apply for the ... | |
| hardwood and veneers | 1/11/2009 |
| Q: We recently bought a lovely bedroom set from The Roomstore. It felt like solid wood in the store, ... A: not all veneers are created equally, some are extremely thin, some are not actually wood, but vinyl ... | |
| Rice Bed Post connecting hardware | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to reconnect / restore and old rice bed and it requires new hardware to reconnect the ... A: I'm assuming this a "4 poster" bed that you have, but I've never seen one held together with some ... | |
| bolted table legs antique oak turn of the 19th c | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: Good Day:) I have had this beautiful table with me for 25 yrs. It is an oak English piece with ... A: could the legs be on upside down? In other words, could the apron be upside down? Those marks look ... | |
| solid wood top | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a beautiful solid wood table and chairs the top of the table im not sure due to having a ... A: odd looking lettering, almost calligraphy like, If it's sticky in that area, it sounds like maybe ... | |
| Boiled Linseed Oil on Cedar Chest | 1/9/2009 |
| Q: I applied boiled linseed oil on my cedar chest and apparently I did not wipe the excess ... A: I wouldn't use boiled linseed oil anymore, it's really kind of "old school" when compared to todays ... | |
| finish problem | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: Greg Maybe you can help me. I have a situation where one of my customers has cherry kitchen ... A: I think the stuff would dry, and build ok over anything, because it's an oil, but that doesn't mean ... | |
| finish problem | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: Greg Maybe you can help me. I have a situation where one of my customers has cherry kitchen ... A: you can't use poly, Varnish(WaterLux?), or an oil finish like WaterLox over lacquer. You can use ... | |
| bolted table legs antique oak turn of the 19th c | 1/6/2009 |
| Q: Good Day:) I have had this beautiful table with me for 25 yrs. It is an oak English piece with ... A: Jeeez, without a picture, it's difficult to tell what you're describing...so there is a bolt now ... | |
| kitchen cabnet | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: kitchen cabnet drawers two missing in house i purchased what should i do? A: John, contact the cabinet manufacturer....you'll find a label or brand or something in another ... | |
| Warped butcher block | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: I bought a butcher block cart (it's the one at the top of the page here: ... A: no, I'm afraid you can't hope to fix this in a day, and maybe not at all. Did you oil this cutting ... | |
| KITCHEN TABLE PAINT CAME OFF | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: I have a black wooden table kitchen and on New Years I placed hot plates on my table and notice ... A: It does sound like lacquer, in which case you can buy some "Blush eraser" and lightly but evenly ... | |
| bolted table legs antique oak turn of the 19th c | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: Good Day:) I have had this beautiful table with me for 25 yrs. It is an oak English piece with ... A: what holds the leg on now? Usually, there is a bolt protruding from the leg that goes through a ... | |
| Wood Stain Repair/darker to lighter | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: The oil based stain we used on unfinished window trim, chair rail and a door was not the shade we ... A: I guess I'm a little confused as to why you are objecting to it now....a sample should always be ... | |
| Staining pickled maple kitchen cabinets | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: My solid maple kitchen cabinets are currently pickled. They have a peach tinge to them. I'd like ... A: your cabinets most likely have a finish on them, not just a stain, but a stain, sealer, and multiple ... | |
| KITCHEN TABLE PAINT CAME OFF | 1/3/2009 |
| Q: I have a black wooden table kitchen and on New Years I placed hot plates on my table and notice ... A: it's likely that your table is not paint, but lacquer. Any finish is going to be susceptible to heat ... | |
| conversion varnish | 1/2/2009 |
| Q: I am in dire need some help. I had an oak cabinet made for our bathroom, for my wife for Christmas. ... A: my question is why didn't the cabinet maker match the rest of the woodwork?? He has the ability to ... | |
| KITCHEN CABINETS | 1/2/2009 |
| Q: WANT TO REPLACE KITCHEN CABINET HANDLES. CABINETS OVER 20 YEARS OLD. STAINED RED OAK. WHEN REMOVING ... A: please try not to type in all CAPS, it makes it appear as if you're yelling. There is no way to ... | |
| Refinishing a bathroom vanity | 1/2/2009 |
| Q: I want to strip and stain our bathroom vanity, but husband is scarred. He does not think that the ... A: it is possible that the cabinet is a vinyl veneer or similar, and the only real way to tell is to ... | |
| Wax build-up on wood bowl | 1/1/2009 |
| Q: I just picked up a nice Parrish bowl at a 2nd hand store. I want to use it but it has a nasty wax ... A: the only way wood be to scrape the bowl with a sharpened cabinet scraper. They make ones with a ... | |
| Restoring Oak Table and Chairs | 12/31/2008 |
| Q: I have an oak table and chairs from around 1920.The top has a brand new oak veneer.The sides of the ... A: stripping it all would be the best, and it's fairly straight forward to do. You can use a Methylene ... | |
| woodwork repair | 12/28/2008 |
| Q: We just bought a new dresser. I set a baby bounce seat on top of the dresser and when I later ... A: there's no easy way to do an invisible spot repair like this without treating the whole top. This ... | |
| Breadboards | 12/27/2008 |
| Q: My wife has an old breadboard similar to one she remembers being in her mothers pantry when she was ... A: it should be sealed with a Block oil, there are several commercial preparations out there, but you ... | |
| Refinishing walnut entry doors | 12/27/2008 |
| Q: My parents have asked us to refinish their custom walnut entry doors on the exterior side. They live ... A: It really will depend on how badly weathered the finish is, as the Jack Tar is an exterior Phenolic ... | |
| residue on dining room table | 12/26/2008 |
| Q: I have a dark wood finish dining room table. I bought a package of package of scented chips that you ... A: at first I wasn't sure I was the guy to answer your question."I was lying on my table and somehow ... | |
| color washing ? | 12/25/2008 |
| Q: I was given a LARGE unfinished pine dresser. I would like to use latex water based paint as a ... A: I would tend to steer you towards a commercially prepared stain product. Minwax has some nice ones ... | |
| plastic film on kitchen table | 12/25/2008 |
| Q: I perchased a new kitchen table and to protect it's finish I placed plastic over the entire thing. ... A: the plasticizers in the plastic sheet may have transfered or even altered the tables finish...you ... | |
| sealing painted surface | 12/23/2008 |
| Q: I have made a game board as a gift. First I spray-painted the surface with alkyd enamel, then ... A: mixing paints like this is not a great idea, the general rule is to stick with the same paint ... | |
| Danish Oil vs Varnish on beside table | 12/22/2008 |
| Q: I would like to know the pros and cons of danish oil vs varnish on a bedside table I am building. ... A: oil finishes soak into the wood and harden from within, achieving similar qualities to a varnish ... | |
| wood finish smell | 12/22/2008 |
| Q: I recently bought a brand-new wooden cabinet to store things like towels and sheets. Whatever was ... A: some finishes do smell quite a bit for several months after finishing...especially oil varnishes and ... | |
| curio door lock | 12/22/2008 |
| Q: The curio door has a rod with a clasp at the top and bottom with a lock in the middle which should ... A: This is a common occurrence in older locks, and it will have to be removed and disassembled to see ... | |
| Riddling Rack | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: I want an A-frame riddling rack to hold my wine bottles, but they're very expensive. Is it feasable ... A: those are very cool, but yes, they would be difficult to make. Drilling a hole that size (about 2 ... | |
| making side/hook boards | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a headboard and foot board that was mine as a kid, but my parents forgot to give me the ... A: yes they can be made, and the hardware is available a few places. You should be able to get them ... | |
| cabinets | 12/18/2008 |
| Q: I have birch or maple cabinets that have been sitting in my garage for 20 years or so and I would ... A: you can't just restain a finished cabinet. The finish has to be removed to allow you to stain the ... | |
| Types of stain | 12/18/2008 |
| Q: I recently bought and started using a Minwax stain that requires that you wipe off the excess. The ... A: all stains require wiping off well, but very hard woods will not darken well with an oil stain. For ... | |
| wood finish | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: I spilled a little oil from a scent diffuser on my cherry dresser. This ruined the finish in spots. ... A: your dresser is probably lacquer, and the solvents ate away the finish....trying to do a spot repair ... | |
| oil stain on cherry table | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: Food grease stain leaked through a paper plate onto solid cherry table and now there is a white ... A: A white heat mark like this can be tricky to remove without damaging the finish further, if it is ... | |
| Staining Golden Oak Furniture darker color | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: I am interested in making my bedroom furniture darker than the golden oak color it now is. I would ... A: a glaze won't darken it overall, for that you need to strip it and stain the wood, then refinish it. ... | |
| table | 12/16/2008 |
| Q: i have a veneered table finished in what appears to be laquer,the laquer appears to be changing ... A: you could strip it and then use aerosol lacquers, or a wipe on or spray urethane product to refinish ... | |
| refinish cabinet | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: I just pruchased a 1949 singer & cabinet. The cabinet has a few pieces of the veneer missing & a ... A: I would repair the veneer and then refinish the cabinet. You'll find the veneer underneath will be ... | |
| dark kitchen cabinets | 12/11/2008 |
| Q: My kitchen is very dark with these cabinets. I am prepared to change our the countertop. Could you ... A: Cleaning them well with a degreasing solvent and 000 steel wool is important,drying as you go with ... | |
| dark kitchen cabinets | 12/9/2008 |
| Q: My kitchen is very dark with these cabinets. I am prepared to change our the countertop. Could you ... A: interesting kitchen cabinets, I don't think I've ever seen a door style like that...the only way to ... | |
| Repair Wooden Sleigh Bed Frame | 12/8/2008 |
| Q: I have a bassett queen sleigh bed, and recently the wooden frame on one side has broken, and the ... A: it likely could be repaired, was this crack caused by too much weight, or other damage? It's ... | |
| gummy furniture/streaky furniture | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: I have always used this cabinet magic furnituure polish on my wood furniture-some teak, cheery ... A: I'm not too familiar with the Murphy's in the orange bottle, but any of these products should only ... | |
| Refinishing kitchen cabinets | 12/6/2008 |
| Q: I have maple cabinets with catalyzed finish in a cider color (light pinkish tan) I would like to ... A: Anything factory made in the last 20 years or so is probably this type of finish. The damage you ... | |
| Cost range to reglue deco chairs | 12/5/2008 |
| Q: I bought a set of French Deco chairs that need to be reglued. I'm trying to get a sense of what it ... A: it's the kind of work I do, yes, where are you located. In this tri-state area there are many, many ... | |
| Cost range to reglue deco chairs | 12/5/2008 |
| Q: I bought a set of French Deco chairs that need to be reglued. I'm trying to get a sense of what it ... A: restoration of a chair like that should be in the range of $135-350, depending on whether the ... | |
| matching stain color | 12/5/2008 |
| Q: Greg, i am trying to match the stain color of some schrock cabinets i recently bought/installed. i ... A: I doubt they use poly at all, most likely a lacquer product,or a catalyzed urethane or aluminum ... | |
| Refinishing kitchen cabinets | 12/4/2008 |
| Q: I have maple cabinets with catalyzed finish in a cider color (light pinkish tan) I would like to ... A: these finishes are cross linking finishes that are somewhat like an epoxy. They are mixed before ... | |
| Kitchen cabinets | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: We have maple cabinets 6 years old. They have a satin finish (no shine) From the time they were ... A: as you said, it's oils and such from fingers, you can get some Formby's Deep cleaner, a liquid that ... | |
| Craft paint on wood table | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: A t-shirt that had just been painted with t-shirt paint was laid on my dining room table to dry. ... A: "lemon" oil is basically just white mineral oil, and I would caution you against using an iron on ... | |
| repainting chairs | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: I am repainting wooden chairs, which were originally a baked on white finish and were overpainted ... A: an enamel is a good choice, either pure Acrylic or oil,(NOT Latex) but I would definitely use a good ... | |
| stripping a china cabinet | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: I bought a small china cabinet with dark laquer finish and I want to strip it and put a lighter ... A: if it's Oak, it can be stripped and made pretty light, although some Oaks are pretty Brown. If this ... | |
| 110 year old 5 leg wood table top finish | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: I decided to clean and reoil my table top. I sprayed it with Windex to remove all of the crude. Then ... A: oooooo, you should never have used Windex to clean a wood surface like this...a little mineral ... | |
| Finishes for ash bed | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: I am building a bed for my daughter out of ash lumber. I am purchasing rough cut ash and making an ... A: the lightest, clearest, and easiest finish to use would be an Acrylic Urethane like: ... | |
| waterproofing sideboard sink | 11/28/2008 |
| Q: What finish should i use? It may have worn poly finish on it now. I only want to "coat" the top the ... A: Tung oil will not stand up to the harsh environment of a sink top...I would choose an Exterior ... | |
| table protection | 11/25/2008 |
| Q: We have a 1 year old Lyndon Furniture Cherry Dining table. It is in an autumn medium brown finish. ... A: Hey Dean, I think the urethane is a bit harder,but again, nothing is going to resist denting, if the ... | |
| table protection | 11/25/2008 |
| Q: We have a 1 year old Lyndon Furniture Cherry Dining table. It is in an autumn medium brown finish. ... A: the limiting factor is the wood not the finish.Cherry can be fairly soft, and it also depends on the ... | |
| Rosewood Furniture | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: We have a dining room set - table, chairs, sideboard and drinks cabinet which we purchased in Hong ... A: French polishing is done with shellac, and being the wonder finish, might blend ok to your sets ... | |
| chippendale mahogany bedroom set | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: I have a chippendale mahogany bedroom set circa 1940's that belonged to my dad as a kid. I have ... A: the choice of available hardware is mind boggling...I happen to like the Chippendale style pierced ... | |
| Heat Mark On Highly Polished Mahogany | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: Whoops! On putting my hot cup of coffee on top of a cloth, then resting it on my client's Extremely ... A: I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, I typed out this big long answer for you and then my ... | |
| Kitchen and Bath cabinets | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: My cabinets are looking dry and "cruddy"! They are birch and all I want to do is to clean and ... A: you can try to clean them with some Low odor mineral spirits, or a commercial product like Formby's ... | |
| replacing cabinet hinges | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: I purchased new automatic close face mounted 3/8 inset hinges to replace the (30 yrs)old ones on my ... A: this can be frustrating, I know, but if they are identical in the closed position, they should mount ... | |
| Staining door | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: I bought a solid exterior door slab and before we have it hung my wife wants me to stain it instead ... A: if you're just wanting to stain, for an exterior door, you'll need an exterior stain product like ... | |
| Masking wood grain | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: I have just stripped, sanded and given one coat of stain to an old family table. In the process, I ... A: what you're experiencing can only be solved with "toning" techniques, which were really developed in ... | |
| spots on dining room table | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: Have shiny spots on dining room table from a clear plastic table cloth. The plastic was on table ... A: I'm not sure how to advise you, as there could be a few reasons for this, including the plastic ... | |
| "Lacquer" problem | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: I bought 2 nightstands from an oriental import store going out of business. They are supposed to be ... A: you mean the sheen gets blotchy? I would not use the Old English more than one or twice a year(!) ... | |
| staining a bathroom vaniety | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: We just bought an antique washstand and intend to place a vessel sink on it for use in a busy ... A: You'll need to make sure you remove any and all wax, grime, etc. from the surface with mineral ... | |
| exterior door finishes | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: Trying to find an exterior door finish that can be sprayed. Not sure if anyone makes a good lacquer ... A: Hey Bill, first off I wouldn't use lacquer on an exterior door anyway. Secondly, I'm not sure why ... | |
| Heat Mark On Highly Polished Mahogany | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: Whoops! On putting my hot cup of coffee on top of a cloth, then resting it on my client's Extremely ... A: I haven't heard of the iron and white cloth method, and if the ring was caused by heat I certainly ... | |
| Old woodwork trim and quarter round finish | 11/15/2008 |
| Q: I recently helped to make my elderly aunt's home safer since a illness has made walking very ... A: a stain is probably better, but not a typical oil stain...you'd need an alcohol/methanol type dye ... | |
| White film on new furniture | 11/15/2008 |
| Q: We recently purchased a new dining room set (hutch,table and server. Parts of the table surface and ... A: I have no idea what could be causing this without knowing what they are finishing this furniture ... | |
| refinish bedroom suite | 11/14/2008 |
| Q: I inherited an old (50-75 year old) bedroom suite that was "antiqued red" back in the 60's. Can this ... A: it's a big job.If you've never attempted this type of refinishing, I would start on a much smaller ... | |
| Heat Mark On Highly Polished Mahogany | 11/14/2008 |
| Q: Whoops! On putting my hot cup of coffee on top of a cloth, then resting it on my client's Extremely ... A: sorry to hear about your mishap, there's no easy solution....don't be tempted to slather mayonaise ... | |
| fine furniture caulking | 11/14/2008 |
| Q: i have a 40 year old dining room set that i bought new. the caulking around the glass in the china ... A: you shouldn't use caulk on fine furniture, glass is held in with Glazing compound, which is a ... | |
| Staining | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: We have a three piece oak bedroom set in a medium oak finish. I would like to be able to stain it a ... A: no this won't be possible...Oak is very hard, and you'd need to completely remove the existing ... | |
| Refinishing furniture | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: I am in the planning stages of refinishing dining room furniture. Furniture is currently pine with a ... A: you could strip and refinish the Pine in an Espresso type finish...Pine will stain dark easily, ... | |
| stripping and refinishing cabinets | 11/12/2008 |
| Q: I would like to redo my kitchen cabinets. The doors are wood, but the rest is veneer (I guess) is ... A: yes it's possible, but it is a huge job, and unless you are an above average finisher, I wouldn't ... | |
| repairing black birch veneer dining table | 11/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a black birch veneer dining room table that I love and am very careful with, however, ... A: water alone will not remove grease or oils, you need a slight amount of a detergent, like Dawn, or ... | |
| staining a bathroom vaniety | 11/11/2008 |
| Q: We just bought an antique washstand and intend to place a vessel sink on it for use in a busy ... A: the piece is nice, but has a finish on it, not just stain, and that might be the natural color of ... | |
| repairing black birch veneer dining table | 11/11/2008 |
| Q: I have a black birch veneer dining room table that I love and am very careful with, however, ... A: a lot of things could create a shiny spot, oil, grease,salad dressing....I suppose rubbing could ... | |
| Furniture Vapors | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: My parents purchased an entertainment center that is emitting vapors. They have had the unit two ... A: was this a new piece of furniture? It's possible that it could be the actual building materials as ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: I have beautifully made and crafted 7 year old maple kitchen, bathroom and laundry room cabinets. I ... A: unfortunately there's not much you can do other than paint, without having to strip the finish from ... | |
| new stain on indoor trim and built ins | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: My son has a small room with stained trim and built ins. He wants to change the color to a darker ... A: unfortunately, sanding a finish is not a good way to ready it for a refinish, as staining needs to ... | |
| painting furniture w/sprayer | 11/9/2008 |
| Q: I am looking for some advice on painting furniture using a spray gun. Can you help me with this? ... A: I see why you're having issues. First off I would never use latex on furniture through a spray ... | |
| Restoring Old Hand Tools | 11/9/2008 |
| Q: I love tools and like to collect old tools.Let me see if I'm in the "right expert" before I go into ... A: Hey Gregg, I collect and restore hand tools as well. I have 20-30 planes, several axes, hatchets, ... | |
| varnishing a coffee table | 11/8/2008 |
| Q: I bought an old coffee table and have painted it ivory with a satin latex paint. Then I rubbed a ... A: the Old English oil is a non drying oil polish, and this was a mistake to add to the staining ... | |
| Dissatisfied with stain job... what to do? | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: Scholl, I just purchased some unfinished pieces for my son's bedroom and had them all stained to ... A: it sounds like they used too thick a stain, and just a pigmented stain, which, when applied too ... | |
| Wood Counter Top Refinishing | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: I recently started a project that has turned into a big mess! I have a center island in my kitchen ... A: Hey Charlie, the best way is with a sharpened cabinet or "card" scraper. You need to get down to ... | |
| wax on raw wood | 11/4/2008 |
| Q: When I buy raw wood for my lathe or hobby it comes with a heavy coat of wax all over it. I think it ... A: I would scrape the bulk off with a paint scraper and a cabinet scraper...then just work the wood, it ... | |
| toning down the red in cherry cabinets | 11/4/2008 |
| Q: We purchased new cherry cabinets, and when delivered, they were way too red. Is there a way to ... A: no, a glaze can't be added to your cabinets if they have a finish on them. If they were made by a ... | |
| Refinishing washed oak | 11/4/2008 |
| Q: Greg,. Can washed oak be stripped and refinished. I would like to change it to a cherry finish. A: yes it can be stripped and refinished, my only comment would be that Oak looks a bit odd with a ... | |
| knobs and hinges | 11/3/2008 |
| Q: I am looking for a company to re-finish my kitchen cabinet hardware. It's in good condition but I ... A: I don't believe you'll find anyone offering this service, it would just be too expensive. You'll be ... | |
| toning down the red in cherry cabinets | 11/3/2008 |
| Q: We purchased new cherry cabinets, and when delivered, they were way too red. Is there a way to ... A: I'm afraid there is no way to "tone down" your Cherry cabinets after they've been finished. The only ... | |
| antq. rocker | 11/2/2008 |
| Q: In 76 at an "antique" auction. For each child it was painted a diffrent color. My son & I stripped & ... A: once the original finish is gone, so is most of the value on something like this, so I wouldn't ... | |
| pedestal base for washer and dryer | 11/2/2008 |
| Q: I'd like to build a pedestal base for my washer and dryer because I have a bad back and want to ... A: you could make such a box with a good 3/4" ply wood, using standard cabinet construction techniques, ... | |
| refinishing 1950's table | 11/1/2008 |
| Q: I'm trying to restore the top of a damaged coffee table from the 1950s, but I haven't been able to ... A: Hey Chris, have you searched to see if by any chance the company still exists? Lacquer toners can be ... | |
| refinishing 1950's table | 10/31/2008 |
| Q: I'm trying to restore the top of a damaged coffee table from the 1950s, but I haven't been able to ... A: Hey Chris, what you're describing sounds like a "Heywood Wakefield" typ | |