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 Dear Greg,
I read your answer to Anne whose problem with staining is similar to mine. I tried to restain an intricately carved chair. After sanding the stain is now tacky and will not dry. I realize this may be a combination of factors, not the least of which may be how poorly I prepared the chair before staining. The weather has been rather humid, the chair was inadequately sanded, and the stain was applied over an old finish in some areas. (Should have checked out you site before undertaking this!) My question is: Will using mineral spirts only remove the new stain? And, if so, what can I use to remove the old stain from such a detailed piece? Additionally, if I were to paint the furniture at this point(because I'm a little frustrated with the staing process), what would you recommend? Thank you so much for your expertise. This is the best site I've found so far in adressing my problem.
Answer Hey John, this is a common problem, and the stain probably will not dry. You need to strip the old finish off completely if you're going to use a conventional oil stain , (Minwax, et al),they are designed for bare, clean stripped wood only.(yes, the directions DO say that) There are types of stains that can be used the way you did, like a solvent based analine or dye stain, but there are other issues with those, and they are very unforgiving, so you have to have a little experience with using them. It's never a good idea to prep anything for refinishing by sanding. You need to strip the old gunk, oils, waxes, grease, smoke residue, and finish, etc. off the wood surface, and start with a clean bare wood surface. You can use mineral spirits to remove the undried stain, but I would recommend you strip the chair, or have it stripped, or at the very least wash it down with mineral spirits and scrub brushes, drying as you go to remove all traces of wax, grease, oils, etc., which will also inhibit things from drying properly. Then proceed with a Gel stain or other type of stain that will dry on the properly prepped surface. The Gels have a polyurethane carrier, so they really dry and seal the surface, and will stick to remnants of old finish, but this still is a risky way of proceeding. Hope that helps- post back if need be- regards- Greg
