AboutEileen Cronk Expertise If you are decorating your home on a budget I can answer most questions about what to look for when buying "good old stuff" at garage sales, yard sales or auctions. I can answer most questions about the refinishing, and repairing of wood items. I have had lots of experience in this area and made lots of mistakes over the years which I may help you avoid.
Experience I have been haunting auction sales,flea markets etc. for 30 yrs. I have worked extensively at refinishing, and repairing all the old stuff I bring home. I also work for other people, and do repairs and refinishing for several antique stores.
Question Hello there, this is my 1st time with something like this so I apologize in advance for probably not including enough information in my question. I would like to know how you recommend I fix these dressers... I just recieved this older bdrm set from a couple who smoked. The top, and fronts of the drawers have these darker stains or residue. It's a bit thick and when I spray a diluted 409 solution on them and scrub with the rough side of a sponge, the finish gets really light like almost to bare wood. Is there a way to remove the layer of dirt, residue and possibly some of the finish and then apply something to re stain it? I do not want to paint it, and I like the color of the finish so I'm trying to keep it somewhat the same color. Any tips for this? Also, Restorz-it seems like it might work, but want your opinion please? Thanks so much =) Holly
Answer Hi Holly
Nice to hear from you.
Holly you have certainly included all the info I need and in a very polite way which I appreciate.
Heres what you do.
Get a can of mineral spirits at the hardware. In Canada we sell mineral spirits under the name of varsol.
Get a couple of boxes of fine steel wool too.
Give all the pieces a good scrub with the varsol. Use the steel wool as your scrub pad. Keep a bunch of clean rags at hand to dry as you go.
Varsol is combustible so work in a good ventilated area with no open flames or smoking.
Holly you are going to be amazed at the dirt this will take off. Sometimes we will see a bit of a white residue after this but ignore it.
Next choose a Minwax stain close to the color of the wood after cleaning.
Rub a coat of this stain over the entire piece with a rag.
Wipe back any excess.
Let this dry well. This could take 48 hours but don't panic.
Next get a small can of "Circa 1850" low luster tung oil.
Wipe a coat of this over all the pieces with a rag.
And thats it. Pretty easy.
Holly with regards to Restorz-it.
On this old furniture I would not hesitate to use it, but apparently it can harm a fine old finish.
I do however note through various wood sites that it seems to be running about 50/50 pro or con.
I have stated many times that I have never used it as it has not appeared where I am in Canada as yet although I could order it on line.
I have also stated that I have heard rave reviews from folks who have tried it.
It seems to be that some of these products claim it restores moisture to wood which is impossible.
You want my opinion, its yes if I had the opportunity to try it, I would.
Holly if you read my profile it states "I'll help you fix all your old things ( the things we call antiques)."
Well calling it an antique and it being one are entirely different things.
Personally I would not even think about using it on something that was a true antique.
I come by that opinion from a fellow expert on this site.
Mr Fred Taylor is an American furniture expert here and Fred recommends not using these products.
To me, it don't get no better than that.
Thank you for this great question Holly and write any time
Kindest Regards
Eileen
