Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/22/2010

Question
QUESTION: I just received a solid cedar hope chest that needs refinishing on the outside. It is over most likely 100 years old. I am wondering if I can sand with a 220 sandpaper that put on a cedar stain ( if needed) That apply a coat of min wax. Any suggestion would be appreciated

ANSWER: Hi William
Nice to hear from you.
Before doing any staining, we must totally remove any existing finish.
We cannot remove finish with sandpaper.
It must be removed chemically.
But I am thinking you just want a quick pick up for the chest. Correct?
Heres what I would do.
Get a small jug of mineral spirits (called varsol in Canada), also get a box of medium grade steel wool pads (not SOS pads).
Dip the wool in the spirits and use it as a gentle scrubber all over the chest. Work with the wood grain and dry as you go with clean rags.
You are going to see all the years of grime come off the chest.
When your rags no longer get dirty, your chest is clean.
Now get a small can of low luster tung oil.
Apply a coat with a rag (super easy).
My experience with old cedar is it needs no stain applied because it has aquired a lovely color already. So don't apply stain. I'm not saying I have never stained old cedar, I have. But like I mention, all finish must be chemically removed before applying stain. But after your cleaning, do a little test with the tung oil in a hidden area and you will see what I mean.
William if you want to do a complete refinish let me know and I'll send the complete info for doing it.
But give the easy way a try first. It will most likely suit you and save a lot of work.
And please do not use sandpaper on the old chest.
Keep me posted
Regards
Eileen


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

QUESTION: I took your advise and it has character and a bit clean other than a few nicks here and there. Tong oil tomorrow. How would I go about finding how old it is? It was made by Lane Standard at Altavista, VA.

Once again thank you for your advise. I'm not sure of the term that The Roadshow uses when it has a build up of Varnish in spots but thats what it has and look rather nice.

Answer
Hi again William
Glad your project is coming along.
Here is the info about dating your chest.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4830084_date-lane-cedar-chest.html

Also please read the following warning about the locking device on your lane chest.

Here is some important info about the lock on your Lane Cedar chest.
It comes from Greg Scholl here on Allexperts and we thank him for this.
"Anyone with a Lane cedar chest should contact Lane immediately with their serial number and style number, (branded into the bottom of the chest), for a free and IMPORTANT lock replacement. Lane will record you information, help you detect which lock style you have, and then send you a free replacement lock. The early locks (some several million of them), have been responsible for children being trapped inside the chests, and several deaths. Lane can also help you date your chest from these numbers. Please contact them through their website at: www.lanefurniture.com or via this link:

http://www.lanefurniture.com/customer_care/NewlockRequest.asp?LHF=

Best of luck
Regards
Eileen