AboutEileen Cronk 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 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.
QUESTION: Hello Eileen,
I just purchased a 5'sideboard and a matching shorter 3' sideboard with a 3' hutch and am very excited about refinishing it. The veneer is in good condition but I have decided to paint it as my teak hardwood flooring has alot of grain (plus I also have maple cabinets and oak nosing in the house - I'm afraid of wood overload!). All three pieces have wooden sliding doors that run on a thin plastic track (the hutch's sliders have glass). I have tried to lift and tilt the doors out however, that didn't seem to work. If I slide both doors to one side I can lift out the plastic track but it won't slide out from under the doors. Any ideas on how to remove the doors for refinishing?
Also, the previous owner was a heavy inside smoker and the wood seems to have been steeped in smoke. I am hoping that the light sand and application of paint will eliminate this problem. Any other suggestions?
Sorry that I did not include pictures - I am currently at my workplace or I would have.
ANSWER: Hi Sandy
Nice to hear from you.
Your first approach is correct..that being to lift the glass straight up then tilt the bottom out and down to remove.
Where you able to remove the wooden sliding doors from the other pieces? The glass should be no different.
Sandy ask for another person to give you a hand.
Often looked at with a different eye a problem becomes clear.
The heavy smoke in the wood should be dealt with before painting.
A wash and a prime with a good primer like KILZ (they make others too), should do the trick.
And if there is any way to get a picture please post one.
Kind regards
Eileen
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Eileen,
Thanks for your response - what a great service! All three pieces have the same sliding door style and am having trouble with all. I am attaching a picture today. I will try again with the lift/tilt method of removing the doors, but with a helper this time. The pieces are made by Honderich, mostly veneer. I was wondering where to get furniture replacement parts. The back panels are not wood but that 1/4" thick textured furniture backing they used to use (you know the kind that dust bunnies love!). Since I am probably going to paint it Cloud White (Ben. Moore), I want to remove the backings and replace them maybe with a smooth, white MDF. I also want to replace the track which is brown vinyl to white vinyl. I am in Aurora, Ontario. Can I get replacement parts at the big box stores or, do I need to go to a refinishing parts supplier? Is there somewhere in the GTA where I can get replacement parts? Thanks so much for your help!
Sandy
Answer Hi again Sandy
Aurora Ontario..I am only a short drive away in Washago Ont.
How nice to help someone so close.
OK..first off these pieces will paint up beautifully.
And I agree 100% with painting them.
The backs are likely what I call masonite.
Its smooth on the inside and rough on the back (where the dust bunnies stick LOL).
If the masonite is smooth on the inside I would paint it instead of replacing.
If you must replace it, get your local lumber yard to cut some mahogany underlay. This comes in 4x8 sheets. Very inexpensive.
One sheet will likely do for all your backs. Its paintable.
You can purchase the plastic track from Home Depot, Home Hardware or Rona stores. Its a very common item. You will have one of these stores in the GTA for sure.
When I look at your picture I see a piece of trim across the front of the door along the bottom. Could this be preventing the piece not coming out.
This will not however be on the glass doors so its a puzzle why you are having a hard time.
We have an entire section of glass sliding doors at our community center. They are removed every few months for cleaning.
They come out easily as I described before so I can't figure this out LOL.
I cannot imagine how the glass was installed if it will not come out.
Will you let me know if the puzzle gets solved?
Regards
Eileen
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