Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/10/2008

Question
Hello I have a cedar chest with copper coated steel running across with rivets in four places. I used a copper polish and got it shining new but there are spots on the rivets that lost the copper. Is there a paint or touch up solution for this? In addition I just started my first coat of Formby's Paint and Poly remover with steel wool and there is still a lot of color left. Not sure how many coats is too much? Unfortunately I also went up and down where the cooper strips were and it looks bad nit sure how to eliminate that either? Any detailed help like Cedar chest refinishing for Dummies would be great thanks, Victor.

Answer
Hi Victor
Nice to hear from you
You can purchase a small bottle of copper paint at any craft store to paint the rivets.
But leave that until everything is totally finished.
You may decide its not necessary to paint them.
And actually Victor when we try to get everything on an old piece looking like new, its called "over restoration".
You keep applying the stripper, and steel wooling it off until all the finish is gone.
On a painted finish until all the paint is gone.
If its varnish or shellac then there will still be color in the wood after the finish is removed. This is to be desired.
Paint stripper will not harm copper so try brushing more stripper on the areas of copper you think look bad.
And get back to me if you need more help.
We all have to start somewhere and my hats off to you for trying.
Kind Regards
Eileen