Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Expert Profile


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Expertise

Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

Experience in the area

I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.

What do you like about this subject?

I enjoy the thrill of seeing layers of old paint come off a piece of furniture to reveal wonderful old oak or walnut underneath. The thrill of restoring something that would otherwise end up in the garbage has never left me after many years of this pursuit. I don't think it ever will.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I have accumulated over the years many old "odd" bits and pieces of beautiful antique wood. I would like to learn more wood working skills to be able to make something really unique from them.

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    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
Kelly11/07/0910101010 
Irene11/04/0910101010Thank you for your quick and expert .....
Diana10/28/0910101010If this works for me, this person .....
chuck10/26/0910101010Eileen, Thank you for your response---I had .....
Tricia10/22/0910101010Thank you once again. I will get .....

Recent Answers from Eileen Cronk

2009-11-06 stripping an outside pine door:

Hi Kelly Nice to hear from you. Are you keeping the stripper wet? Are you giving the stripper time to work? This stripper is the strongest we can buy but multiple coats of paint are the worst to remove

2009-11-04 Cleaning old maple chairs:

Hi Kathy Nice to hear from you. There is only one thing to use to remove this type of grime. Seen it many times LOL. Use mineral spirits. Called varsol in Canada. Use a fine steel wool pad as a scrubber

2009-11-03 Old Dresser:

Hi Irene. Nice to hear from you. First give the dresser a light sanding with 120 grit sandpaper. Then I would use waterbased acrylic paint. Make sure you use a good paint brush for a perfect paint

2009-11-02 formica cupboards:

Hi Joanne Nice to hear from you. Your cupboards are a good candidate for painting. And what a difference this will make in your dark little kitchen. And it won't be a big expense either. Give the surfaces

2009-11-02 dark rings on furniture:

Hi Jamie Nice to hear from you. When we see these dark water marks it means the moisture has broken through the finish and damaged the wood. Refinishing is the only fix. But I cannot see this damage

 

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