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| Leave it to the pro. Michael Dresdner, a nationally known wood finishing and woodworking expert, has answered hundreds of common wood finishing questions in Varathane’s Q&A library to help you successfully complete your project. Click on a link to the left for help and solid advice. |
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| Q: I have a dresser that someone gave me. I discovered when I was looking it over that it is stamped with the person who did the work on the table and with a date of 1916. I would like to clean it up with without taking away the value of it since it is so old. It is in pretty good shape, it just needs a good cleaning.
A: You can clean it with any mild soap and water, or for more egregious dirt, use mineral spirits on a white nylon abrasive pad. In spite of the name, the white pads are fine enough so that they will not scratch the surface, but they will let you get dirt and grime off more aggressively than a cloth alone. Once you have it nice and clean you can restore a vintage sheen by applying a very thin coat of paste wax and buff it off. Paste wax will not harm the old finish and is easily removed with mineral spirits, should you wish to take it off at some future time. |  | |
| Q: I am rebuilding a 1924 Dodge Brother Cantrell wood bodied automobile and I am currently rebuilding the wheels. The ash spokes are in good condition, but they are weathered and the grain is raised. I am planning to use epoxy followed by polyurethane spar varnish. Any comments or suggestions?
A: Sounds like a perfect plan to me. Just make sure the wood is clean, sanded and completely free of old finish before you apply the epoxy. | | |
| Q: I inherited an antique bedroom suite that once was appraised for $2000. Thinking that it would look better as golden oak as opposed to the old original tobacco stain, I stripped the hatbox but nothing else. Now I need the money and realize I may have significantly de-valued my relic. Is there a means of reproducing the original stain and finish technique and undo my error in judgment?
A: There are professionals, myself included, who can very convincingly counterfeit old finishes. Such people are few and far between, and usually have enough integrity not to do that without making it abundantly clear that the piece is a restoration and is not original. I think at this point, honesty is your best policy, since the cost of a pro who can recreate the old finish on the hatbox will probably be more than the difference between the value as is and the value restored. Let the buyer restore it if he or she cares to do so. | | |
| Q: Will stripping a dresser hurt its value?
A: That depends on how much value it has and what gives it its value. If it is an antique or a piece made and signed by a designer, stripping it may very well deflate its value, since folks prefer to buy things like that in original condition. |
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