AboutGreg Scholl Expertise Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects,Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings of all kinds.
Experience Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Sold, built, serviced, setup Home,Industrial and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools, and offered instruction on use and care as well.I even have some Trade show Demo experience.
Organizations none at this time.
Publications Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how"), local newspapers as well
Education/Credentials Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field.Seminars by Major tool manufacturers, Delta, Powermatic, Performax, Porter Cable, Skil/Bosch to name a few.
Past/Present Clients Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT.(the Antiques capital of CT.) Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.), local Museums and Historical Societies.
Question QUESTION: I have a wall with "picture-frame" paneling that has been a hideous color (kind of blond) for 30 years. I am ready to make it a warm color, but am afraid it's either a huge undertaking, or I'll ruin the wood if I paint it.
ANSWER: Hi Lyn, yes it's a huge undertaking, and you'll have to determine what the finish is on there now in order to figure out how to proceed. You won't ruin it by painting it, and that might be an easier undertaking, but you still need to try to figure out what the finish is. Start by taking a rag wet with mineral spirits and see what comes off. It's most likely varnish, shellac, wax, or an oil finish. If it's shiny, then it's likely a surface finish like varnish or shellac, if the mineral spirits rag takes off the gloss and there's visible color on the rag, it might be wax. You can't really hope to change the color drastically unless you remove the existing finish either completely, or pretty close. Staining really needs to be done at the wood level. Hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards- Greg
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QUESTION: Thanks. It's varnish - so my choices are either sanding or using a product to cut through it, right? Is there a product that cuts through without fumes?
Or, is there a primer & paint way to go and still keep the grain of wood visible? This is a cathedral ceiling side wall which would be very hard for me to sand; and impossible to hide if I mess up....Thanks again.
Answer Old varnish can be quite difficult to remove, even with a good ,(fairly toxic, smelly) varnish remover. Attempting this on a wall like the one you describe would be a nightmare scenario. Primer and paint would not leave the grain visible, I assume what you're referring to is a "pickling" finish which is like a paint wash that is semi transparent. Again this is difficult to do evenly across an area like this. If the varnish is intact, meaning not flaking, chipping, peeling, then it could be cleaned, scuff sanded and primed and painted, but trying to restore the clear finish and change it's color will require completely removing the existing finish, and I wouldn't recommend that, as it's a huge job. This is always a tough decision, unless your budget is fairly large for such a project. Also working up high like this is something that will need staging or a plank and ladder setup...and if it's a large wall it can be challenging to end up with even, professional results unless one is experienced doing this type of work. If you haven't already, I would call in a few pro's to look at the site and give you a few opinions. Most will offer this as a free service, although you may have to wait until they are in your area....it could be enlightening and save you alot of work, and/or frustration. Hope that helps a bit- Greg
