Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/14/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Eileen,

I saw your answer to someone else's question about restoring an antique Singer sewing machine cabinet.  My wife and I bought one on an auction and the top of the cabinet (including the lid) needs to be refinished.  The laminate has bubbled up and a piece is missing, so I am gluing down the bubbled up area, filling in the piece that is missing and then putting a new piece of laminate over that.  But when it comes to the stain color I'm at a loss.  So I saw your answer to the question about refinishing one and you mentioned Minwax Special Walnut color oil based stain.  Do you happen to know if that is the color used on all the antique Singer cabinets?  I did research on our machine and found that it was manufactured in 1911, so I don't know if stain colors changed from different years?  If you happen to know, I would appreciate any help I can get.

Thanks!
Dennis

ANSWER: Hi Dennis
Nice to hear from you.
No, it was not the walnut I mentioned that was used on old cabinets. I have no idea what the stain color was and doubt anyone could tell you that.
Dennis, today we have a lot of fancy names for colors but if your cabinet is walnut veneer or birch veneer the walnut stain I suggested will look great. Cabinets from these woods were always stained dark brown.
My intent in suggestion that particular color was to keep it close to the original color which you want to do and should do.
I knew the color would work on the cabinet in question because it was walnut veneer and Minwax Special Walnut not only looks great on walnut veneer, it is close to original for these cabinets.
I have used this color on these cabinets many many times.
The only problem I see you will encounter is staining the new veneer you plan to apply.
Thats a whole different ball game.
It will be tricky to get the new veneer to match the old in color. The old will have darkened over the years.
Is there any chance you can save the old top?
Regards
Eileen




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Eileen,

Thanks for the follow up!  Unfortunately, the old top has a 1" x 3" strip of the laminate that is broken out so I need to fill that to even it out.  Any suggestions?

About the only thing I can think of is to fill that and put a new laminate over the top of the lid.  Or, I have been watching eBay for people posting lids to see if I can get one that is in good shape that I can replace the one I have.

Thanks!
Dennis

Answer
Hi again Dennis
If you are going to apply new laminate, remove the old stuff.
Its really easy.
Use a hot iron to soften the glue. Then use a scraper to get under the laminate and it comes off easily. Work in sections.
Your idea of a complete replace from ebay is good.
But personally I would just repair what you have.
The entire top and underside must be stripped of all finish before doing this.
I mean stripped with a chemical stripper and not sanded.
I would use a walnut colored wood filler in the damaged areas.
Fill the area roughly. Let dry well.
Sand the area using a sanding block. Use care. Don't be agressive or you will sand the abutting laminate too much.
Fill the area again (you cannot do the filling well with one application and its best done in stages as its stronger).
Let dry well again.
Sand again.
One last fill if necessary and a final careful sand.
Now the top is ready for the good old Minwax Special Walnut LOL.
When the stain has dried, your patch will still be noticable.
I use this product
http://www.constantines.com/browseproducts/Behlen-Jet-Spray-Lacquers.HTML
Dennis this is a colored lacquer. And lo and behold it comes in my favorite color..walnut LOL.
But here its called "Dark American Walnut".
This will be sprayed over the patch to conceal it completely.
But if you go this route, I want you to contact me again so I can give you detailed instructions on using this lacquer.
Keep me posted.
Eileen