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.
Question I am about to refinish some all wood kitchen chairs. The seats are curved or
molded for form fitting comfort. What is the best finishing material for the
seats? I am concerned about body heat causing the finish to deteriorate.
Answer Hi Ken, I wouldn't be concerned about "body heat" doing any damage to a finish. Depending on your skill level, desired application method, and the look you're after, there are many finishes that will provide plenty of protection for your chairs, I would steer you towards a urethane product, whether an oil based or Acrylic.I would use a Satin or Semi Gloss, and at least 3 coats. The easiest would be something like the General Gel Satin Urethane topcoat, which can be applied with a cloth pad, and yields excellent, durable results, with ease. Watco also makes a decent wipe on Poly... or the General Acrylic HP Urethane, a top rated waterborne Urethane. It's very light in color as well, unlike some other oil based poly's, which can be quite amber. Minwax Poly in the spray can,is an OK choice, as the nozzle they use on their aerosols is capable of a very smooth, professional looking finish, with a little practice. It's one of the only Minwax products I would recommend....but if you have no experience spraying a finish, or you don't want to have to worry about the smell and mess, try the General products, they are highly recommended, professional grade, and can be found online or at WoodCraft. Regards- Greg
