Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/vilas bedroom suit

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/21/2011


Question
I have 2 huge vilas bedroom suites from the early 1970's.  One in eggshell with gold piping and one in black with a brown counter and gold piping.  I have read how to strip the furniture but my question is can i paint over top of the current finish? and then replace the hardware.  I would love to sell it but dont think I would get even remotely close to what it is actually worth.

Stacey

Answer
Hi Stacey, if your goal is to sell it, I would leave it as is. Painting over an existing finish, (probably lacquer) would need to be done carefully, and the surfaces cleaned and prepped very well, which takes a lot of time and effort. Then the actual painting also needs to be done in a very professional manner to end up looking good and wearing well...I think you're much better off not putting the time and effort into such pieces,especially if you want to sell them, as it will also hide the wood from a prospective customer who will wonder about the original finish, wood type, and how well this finish they're looking at was done, and will last....the bad news is that it will likely be difficult to realize any decent money for this stuff....there is not a market for furniture of this style and ilk....but it is likely built "like a tank" and someone may give you something for it...wish I had better news- post back if need be- 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.