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,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.
We recently purchased a new teak dining table. Earlier this morning I put some mineral oil on its surface to protect it against possible staining. Little did I know that mineral oil apparently changes the coloration of teak wood. The surface looks darker and uneven now. How can I correct my mistake? Would I be able to return to the original lighter coloring by applying some mineral spirits to the table surface? Thanks a million for your advice!
Answer Mineral oil is a non drying oil, and a poor choice for a tabletop, and it will be tough to remove now, because it sounds like your table was without much of a finish.Adding mineral spirits will just dilute the mineral oil and drive it deeper into the wood. These tables are finished with an oil finish, but these oil finishes are a drying oil, comprised of resins, driers, and Phenolics that penetrate the wood and dry hard like a varnish. Unfortunately, because the veneer on the tops is so thin, and because they want to ship these tables from the factory as soon as possible, they usually have a very thin finish on them that doesn't provide much durability or longevity. Anything that you put on it will darken it when it is in this condition, including the proper product that you should have used.I'm afraid the only way to repair this is to strip the top now with a chemical stripper,because the mineral oil has contaminated the Teak, and will prevent anything you apply now from drying properly or at all. Then lightly hand sand,(the veneers are VERY thin) and then refinish with a proper oil finish Like Watco Danish oil finish, Formbys Low Gloss Tung oil finish, Waterlox, etc. If you've never attempted this type of restoration, I would advise contacting a Pro refinisher, as it's a bit tricky to do right, and a dining table is NOT the piece to learn on. I'm sorry you were given this advice, and whomever gave it to you was wrong in that advice....wish I had a better answer- post back if need be- Greg
