Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/8/2006

Question
My pine Welsh cupboard, 100 years old, survived a house fire. Upper half--with shelves and scalloped edging--burned black. When scraped with knife, in a test, it looks like I can get to underlying pine, except for topmost molding which I may have to replace as deeply charred.  What is best way to get rid of black char and down to original pine?  (Bottom half definitely restorable.)   Start by washing all in tri-sodium phosphate? Then what?n66j3

Answer
Hi Susan
Oh I am so sorry this has happened.
Certainly a very interesting question.
I have never been asked a question like this before so I have given it considerable thought.
The bottom half will have to be cleaned but as you say there is no charring there.
So proceed with the TSP wash or better still a mineral spirits wash. I would use superfine steel wool as a scrubber for that.
If this looks like before, a coat of wax may be all that is needed.
Now for the top half LOL.
It sounds to me like the wood is pretty bad in this area.
This is not just black smoke damage but actual burning.
The only way I can imagine this can be fixed would be taking the entire top apart, remove all nails and put the pieces through a planer which will remove the burned areas.
Next a good sanding then reassemble.
I just cannot imagine the black could be sanded off, and what a mess it would be to try.
A planer will take this off and get you back to solid wood, but the pieces will be slightly thinner than before.
Most folks do not have a planer on hand so the pieces would have to be taken out to do this.
Next would be finishing the "New" wood to match the bottom.
You will have to match the stain color and finish type to the bottom.
Good Luck.
Kindest Regards
Eileen