Expert: Eileen Cronk - 9/9/2009

Question
Hi, I just bought an old double sleigh bed at a second hand store. The head & foot boards and side rails have been veneered. I think the head & foot-boards could be sanded & re-stained without too much trouble but, the side rails have been abused pretty badly. They have nailed support rails on the inside to hold the cross planks up and have pierced and split the veneer on the outside of the rails where it shows.Can this be repaired or would the veneer have to be replaced? If so, how is this done? Or, would I be better off just painting the whole thing? Thank you for taking the time to consider my problem. Sherry

Answer
Hi Sherry
Nice to hear from you.
Heres how I would repair this bed.
First remove the nails from the support rails and drill and screw these pieces instead (they need to be there).
On the side that shows, remove any chipped pieces of veneer or damaged chunks the nails caused.
Next fill these areas with wood filler and sand them smooth.
Then paint the rails a brown or a color close to the original wood color.
I would strip the head and foot boards and refinish them.
I think you will have a pretty nice bed after this.
The rails will be covered with the bedding for the most part.
I also include for you the stripping instructions for your bed.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING SHERRYS BED
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 gallon 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 this bed I suggest using Minwax Special Walnut color oil based stain.
Then 3 or 4 coats of low lustre tung oil also applied with a rag. I use Circa brand tung oil.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Great project.
Regards
Eileen