Expert: Eileen Cronk - 12/31/2003

Question
I recently bought a desk.  It is in fairly good shape with some small scratches and a couple of spots where the lacquer is worn off.  It is an art deco style piece,  inlayed on the drawer fronts and oak veneer.  What process would you recommend to refinish.  I don't usually like veneer pieces but this one was in such great shape.  I would prefer to do as little as possible but do want it to look good and be preserved well.  Thanks for whatever help you can give!

Ginger

Answer
Hi Ginger
Nice to hear from you.
I have refinished a good many of these nice old pieces.
I especially like the great workmanship that was used in a lot of them.
Personally I would refinish the entire piece, but for a quick fix you could do this...first clean the piece well with varsol and a fine steel wool as a scrub pad.
Go over the entire surface well.
This may dull the finish, but thats OK.
Next, get some Minwax stain that closely matches the existing color.
Apply the stain over the entire desk with a clean rag. Remove and excess with another clean rag.
This will take some time to dry because there is already some finish underneath, but it will dry.
Finish with a coat or two of "low lustre tung oil" applied with a rag.
I think you will be pleased with the result, and if the damage is greater than I think it is, you still have the option of a refinish.
Hope this helps.
A very Happy New Year to you.
Eileen