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 had my 65 year old entry door chemically stripped of paint down to what appears to be bare wood. Maybe pine, definitely not oak. The door is protected by a storm door and does not get much direct sun as it is undere a porch. I want to lightly stain both sides just enough to highlihgt the grain, then clear coat. What products do you recommend for each side? Thanks
Answer Hey Jay, If it isn't exposed to weather or direct sun, a good interior stain would probably suffice, but you may not even need a stain if the door is that old and you want to keep it light. Pine was not used too often for entry doors, but idf it has an orange cast and fairly strong grain, it could be a type of Pine...it may be Poplar as well. Wet the door with a rag and some mineral spirits and see what color it turns and how it looks overall. A good polyurethane will make it look just like that...but if you do want it darker, or a different hue, then you'll have to seek out a stain to use. Benjamin Moore interior, Varathane, General Gel stain, all are good choices...I do NOT recommend Minwax, except for their Gel stains...which are decent if you can find them. The gel stains are thick like pudding, and in a polyurethane carrier, so they seal as well as stain, and they tend to be less prone to blotching on soft woods...but their color strength is very good, so experiment carefully with them to arrive at a pleasing end result. Also remember to seal the end grain well, especially on the bottom of the door to seal it up and prevent an early demise to your hard work.Please post back and feel free to post a picture- regards- Greg
