Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/8/2009

Question
just got given an old singer sewing machine with cabinet the cabinet isnt in the best condition so i want to restore it it is made of wood but has a veneer finish over the top what steps do i take to restore it as best i can   thanks lisa

Answer
Hi Lisa
Nice to hear from you.
I have done quite a few of these old cabinets over the years. I love them.
First you must remove the cabinet from the heavy iron base.
Its easy.
Likely only 4 screws on the underside.
Turn it over and remove the screws. Now you can work on the cabinet.
This is also the time to freshen up the iron if it needs it.
Just clean well and spray with flat black oil based paint.
This really looks good.
The cabinet will need to be refinished. A fairly easy job with some instructions.
Your veneer cabinet will be no different than stripping a solid wood piece so dig right in.
Here are the instructions with materials to purchase.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING LISA's SEWING MACHINE CABINET
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.  
I am hoping you can get "CIRCA 1850" brand paint and varnish remover in your area.
Here is a link
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1694&familyN...

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 quart stripper
3 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with), and a pair of cotton gloves inside the rubber ones.
People react differently to stripper. A lot of people feel heat through the rubber gloves, but I feel cold. Have no idea why.
An empty large coffee can. (for the stripper)
A couple of old tooth brushes.
Lots of old rags (I like t-shirts or cotton but for this first stage whatever you have)
Lots of newspaper to protect the garage floor
LOTS OF VENTILATION..A MUST
That's all you need to get started.
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Work in sections.
Brush on the stripper with the brush. Stripper will quit working if it dries, so keep it wet till the finish softens.
Then take a rag and wipe this mess off.
Then another coat of stripper, rag off again, then while the wood is still wet, take the steel wool and rub with the grain till the wood is nice and clean.
Depending on the material you are removing, another coat of stripper is often needed but you will know this as you progress into the job.
Use the toothbrush in crevices.
Thats all there is to it ...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary...and DO NOT SAND
When the stripping is complete, stain with Minwax stain applied with a rag, for your cabinet Lisa I would use Minwax Special Walnut color. Its an oil based stain.
Then 3 or 4 coats of low lustre tung oil also applied with a rag.
I like the Circa 1850 brand tung oil in satin sheen.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Great project
Regards
Eileen