You are here:

Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Refinish Item And Discover Company Name- How do I Save

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/14/2008


Question

Side 1
I have been refinishing furniture from auctions for many years, but I have a new experience. I have an item that I was told was used for cotton spools. I was stripping the item that was painted with green paint and discovered it is made of oak with company name and descriptions on sides and back that appeared after the initial stripping process. I do not want to sand off the logos. How can I restore the furniture while protecting the logos? I am including pictures of my item. I am attaching pictures.



Thank you very much in advance for your help!



David  

Answer
Hi David
Nice to hear from you.
I am absolutely amazed you got this much paint off without ruining the markings...very lucky.
SO..what the heck do you do?
First I would not touch this area with anymore paint stripper.
I would get a bottle of denatured alcohol at the drug store.
In the hope that the finish was originally shellac, this will remove the rest of it.
But for gosh sakes, try the outer edges where no writing is first.
You will know in short order if it will remove this residue.
If it works on the edges, very carefully try it on a tiny area of the writing.
If you have not stripped the other side where there is writing, I would be tempted to use a heat gun on low setting to carefully just soften the paint down to the finish and gently lift it away from the printing.
It would be a real shame to destroy this.
If you are sucessful, cover and tape off the writing to protect it while you strip the rest of the piece.
Perhaps if others have any ideas they will post.
Get back to me if this needs any clarification.
Regards
Eileen  

Eileen Cronk

Expertise

I can answer most questions about the repairing and refinishing of all your old furniture items (the things we call antiques). I can also give you advice on what wood items to choose and what wood items to avoid at auctions, flea markets etc. I DO NOT give appraisals on antiques as this is not my field of expertise.

Experience

I have been repairing, refinishing and of course buying old furniture for the past 30 years. On any given weekend I can be found at auction sales or flea markets searching out a good buy. I have taken several courses in this area over the years, but I find "Hands On" learning to be the best teacher. I can help you avoid the pitfalls and problems of this wonderful rewarding craft.

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