Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/18/2009

Question
Hello Ms. Cronk - this lovely desk is in good shape. It has that beautiful golden glow you would expect, and that rich, ripply pattern in the wood. But it also has some darkness along the edges at the corners that looks like liver spots on skin. And there is one very dark spot about the size of a daisy petal on the top of the desk. In addition, there are a few long, shallow scratches here and there. I'd like to restore the desk to its former glory, as much as possible, but I'm a complete novice in these matters. What would you advise me to do? I appreciate your generosity in being willing to offer advice. Thank you!

Answer
Hi Jescie
Nice to hear from you.
Unfortunately these dark spots mean the finish has broken down and allowed moisture at the wood.
These marks can only be removed after the finish has been stripped off..
Then they are bleached out.
In most cases I try to encourage folks to dig in and do the job themselves. That is in fact why folks like yourself write questions to us.
In this case however I must advise another course as I feel this lovely old desk deserves special treatment.
My advice is to have a pro look at it. It should cost nothing for an opinion.
From your letter it sounds like only the desk top needs attention.
It could very well be that all a pro need do is repair the top and leave the rest of the finish intact. This should not be an expensive thing to have done.
Your 1908 desk has now reached its 100th birthday which puts it in the antique class.
And the birds eye maple makes it that much better.
Did you know that birds eye maple is not a species of tree?
Something happens during the growth of a maple tree (who knows what), that causes this birds eye effect. Over the years we have milled a lot of maple off our forest and I see this effect rarely and only in old growth trees. Its quite lovely.
Hope this advice has been helpful.
Kind Regards
Eileen