You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/1940s Art Deco Waterfall Furniture

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/3/2010


Question
We have a Waterfall Bedroom set from the late 30s/ early 40s. It is originally from Pennsylvania but was brought to Colorado 5 years ago. What is best for dusting? Is it ok to use a cloth dipped in 1 cup water with a tablespoon for liquid fabric softener, then wring out the cloth to just damp? Also, do I need to use an oil to maintain the veneer. It looks ok now but I worry about it drying out. We keep a humidifier in the room set at 35%.Thanks

Answer
Hi Annette, I have never heard of your recipe of water and fabric softener, but I would not recommend it on any finished furniture. Your pieces would be nitro cellulose lacquer, and water is an enemy of that finish...Endust, paste wax, or an oil based polish with NO silicones or wax would be a good choice, but only use such a product monthly or less, and be sure to polish it off as best as you can to prevent build up.Fiddes, Antiquax, or another beeswax polish, Old English, Guardsman, Weimans, or similar make a good product,even Butchers wax, but make sure it says NO silicones.Waxing requires a bit of elbow grease to apply and remove properly, a spray oil based polish is much easier........oil will not maintain the veneer, it's finished with lacquer, which is a film finish that seals the wood...it's not possible to "feed" the wood when it has a finish on it (contrary to what some manufacturers would represent)...if the finish starts to break down, it will need refinishing not some miracle spray on product...maintaining the proper humidity will go a long way towards keeping the piece, (and any other collectibles in the room) in good shape...35% is tough to maintain, but anything above 20% is good. Hope that helps- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.