Oops. Three Steps Forward--Two Steps Back

"The refinishing process is rarely fail-safe." That's a little mantra I try to keep in mind...all the time. But it still surprises and disappoints me when what I think is a simple "sure thing" procedure or process goes amok. There are a wide variety of variables to influence the refinishing process including, for example, materials' compatibility, contaminants, and timing. Whatever the case if or when it happens it's always key to figure out what went wrong, fix it, and move forward.

Interesting developments: The initial coats of finish to the chest and the side table "blew-up. So, now we're in the midst of the "what went wrong" investigative process. Getting "Wood Talkin" can happen in surprising ways. Most of the time it's the wood itself, but other times, as in this situation, it may be information or insight born external to the the woodworking/refinishing process. In this instance an inquiry to Henredon Mfg in Morganton, NC, offered some helpful insight.

Many of the formulas and procedures used by furniture manufactures are proprietary. (Then an experimental effort to "detect" how they did it ensues.) I expected no less from the Henredon people...and I was right. The Henredon people were very nice, but sadly I learned that Henredon's finishing division was dissolved in 2007! The shop people I would have liked to discuss my situation with are no longer available. Ugh.

But this inquiry was not a lost effort, so this is only a temporary set-back. The customer service staff were able to offer me some helpful information for which I am grateful. I believe what they provided is sending me in the right direction for what we want to accomplish here. OK. Nevertheless, what they told me is certainly a sad commentary on the general state of our nation's economic situation--something we all feel in various ways.

So, "back to the drawing board" in this case means that we back-up and start the refinishing effort with these two pieces again.