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About Greg 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,wood species recognition,usage,etc.

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.

You are here: Experts > Hobbies > Woodworking > Woodworking > Stain of hardwood floors

Woodworking - Stain of hardwood floors

Expert: Greg Scholl - 10/25/2009

Question
Hello,

I bought a house that was built in 1945. I LOVE THE HOUSE. The person who had it before me put carpet down on some beautiful hardwood floors, So I am redoing them. I sanded them down using a drum sander and than stain them with midwax. from what I am understanding that was a BIG MISTAKE. I followed all the directions on the can. This is oak flooring, I put a total of 3 coats down the last one very light. its still tacky. Now i have the color i want a Cherry Oak. But with them still tacky I am not sure if I can put a finish down. I will be using a Midwax poly Fast drying semi gloss. Do you have any way for me to get the tacky out so I can have the floors of my dreams. I really don't know what to do. I have called Midwax they told me I have to put paint thinner down to give it the right color. I have the right color now! I don't understand. If I put the poly down will it just all fall apart.

Thank You.

Timothy
Madison Wisconsin

Answer
Hi Tim, did you wipe off each coat thoroughly? It sounds like you didn't and this stuff will never dry. You can't apply an oil pigmented stain like Minwax in heavy coats, and each coat MUST be wiped off thoroughly.That's one of the directions on the can, also.Did you sand all traces of the old finish off?ANY trace of old finish will also keep the Minwax from drying. A hard wood like Oak will not take a deep color using Minwax oil stain, you'll need to use a more professional product and approach it a different way, perhaps even a dye based stain. If you try to poly now it will partially remove, and mix with the stain and leave you with a blotchy mess that may never dry. I'm afraid you'll have to remove as much of the stain as possible with mineral spirits and lots of rags, and being sure to wipe it off evenly. Then you'll need to let it dry thoroughly, and research some other stain products. Ever since Minwax has reformulated their products...they're terrible in my opinion, and I do NOT recommend them. Also, floor finishing is NOT something I would recommend to a novice, as it takes some skill and knowledge, and familiarity with the application methods and products.Hope that helps a little- post back if need be- Greg

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