Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/21/2009

Question
QUESTION: Greetings, and thank you for your kindness to address my question. As you can see my chest needs a "face lift." I heard that while this piece is genuine mahogany, this #204 piece is supposed put together "now well." I am wondering whether it will be worth my trouble to help it. The drawers are a little hard to pull (both ways). I am hoping what you'll tell me will get me out of "stuck" position about whether to refinish this outfit. Please and thank you very much! Sincerely, Maria

ANSWER: Hi Maria
Nice to hear from you.
This is a lovely piece and certainly worth the effort of getting the drawers working and a face lift.
First thing to fix are the drawers.
There are several things that can happen to cause drawers to stick.
If we attempt to move pieces like this when they are full of stuff, the result will be drawers that stick because the piece has been racked out of square and glue joints weakened.
So this is the first thing to check.
Remove the drawers. Place your hand on the top side. Can you wobble the piece while the legs are firmly on the floor? If you can, the piece needs some help. First check to see if the dresser back is firmly attached. Backs can come loose when the piece is racked.
If the back is firm, then you need someone experienced in doing this work to repair the dresser.
Lets hope you find everything fine doing the above.
Next check the drawers which are another big problem area.
Place the drawers with the back side on the floor (handle side facing up). Try to wiggle them back and forth lengthwise. There should be no movement. Check for any warping and check to see that all joints are secure. Check the drawer for any areas that the wood has rubbed.
Now do an inspection of the interior of the dresser.
We often see drawer guides that have come loose and cause sticking of drawers. Check for areas that appear worn.
Maria I know this all sounds confusing but its not when you know what to look for. If I was right there I could tell you in minutes what the problem is and how it needs to be fixed.
Will you check all the above and get back to me?
All I would do for a face lift is a good cleaning with mineral spirits and a rag in this case as I do not see heavy grime.
Then a waxing with a colored wax which I think will make a big difference. But if you want to refinish yourself let me know and I will supply the instructions.
Hope to hear back from you.
Kind Regards
Eileen









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

QUESTION: Hi, Eileen! Thank you! I am so grateful to you for sharing your expertise, and I value your advice greatly. You spent time on me for which I am very appreciative. I performed the various checks on the dresser, and it's rock solid (which is great). No wobbles or weak parts. The drawers feel that they're slow to glide in/out and my gut feeling is that it was designed with that flaw in it. This is my "hard times" heirloom piece in that it has much sentimental value. I found it at a charity thrift store at a time when I was a single working mom with not much cash to work with. I paid $40 for it. I love this piece...Eileen, it looks as if it's saying that it's very sad. I know this sounds strange, but that's the vibe I am getting from it. Perhaps a refinishing job is what it's calling for (it has little scratches all over it, and little pieces of veneer are missing from the bottom of the piece). I am eagerly looking forward to your reply. Thank you very much for your expert advice. Very truly, Maria

Answer
Hi Again Marie
Thank you for the kind words.
I was glad to hear the dresser passed the wiggle test.
When you look on the underside of a drawer do you see any place on the left or right drawer side that looks worn down?
The wood in this area can actually wear down to the point that the drawer does not go in evenly.
This will be very easy to see. I have seen these spots worn down as much as 1/2 inch. This is caused from the drawer being pulled in and out over the years. So check that out for me.
And I think with some help you can refinish this piece if that is what you want.
I will include my instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING FURNITURE
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.  
I am hoping you can get "CIRCA 1850" brand paint and varnish remover in your area.
Here is a link
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1694&familyN

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper
3 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with), and a pair of cotton gloves inside the rubber ones.
People react differently to stripper. A lot of people feel heat through the rubber gloves, but I feel cold. Have no idea why.
An empty large coffee can. (for the stripper)
A couple of old tooth brushes.
Lots of old rags (I like t-shirts or cotton but for this first stage whatever you have)
Lots of newspaper to protect the garage floor
LOTS OF VENTILATION..A MUST
That's all you need to get started.
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Remove all handles.
Work in sections. Perhaps start with the drawers to get the feel of it.
Brush on the stripper with the brush. Stripper will quit working if it dries, so keep it wet till the finish softens.
Then take a rag and wipe this mess off.
Then another coat of stripper, rag off again, then while the wood is still wet, take the steel wool and rub with the grain till the wood is nice and clean.
Depending on the material you are removing, another coat of stripper is often needed but you will know this as you progress into the job.
Use the toothbrush in crevices.
Thats all there is to it ...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary...and DO NOT SAND
When the stripping is complete, stain with Minwax stain applied with a rag, then 3 or 4 coats of low lustre tung oil also applied with a rag.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Regards
Eileen