Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - restoring an antique cabinet
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04-22-01, 05:51 AM
Good morning.
I have just come into possession of a china cabinet that was built by my great-great grandfather, a doctor in the Civil War. He built it to use as a medicine cabinet for his practice.
The piece is in fairly good condition, however....
It's not been cleaned for the last 35 years and I see what looks like mold at the back of the drawers. I want to clean and protect the piece as much as I can but I have no idea what to use or where to start. I don't know enough about wood to even tell you what it's made of, except it's not oak or pine. Its a medium dark color inside the drawers where it has not been stained.
Any help you could provide would be welcome.
Thank you for your time.
Nancy
I have just come into possession of a china cabinet that was built by my great-great grandfather, a doctor in the Civil War. He built it to use as a medicine cabinet for his practice.
The piece is in fairly good condition, however....
It's not been cleaned for the last 35 years and I see what looks like mold at the back of the drawers. I want to clean and protect the piece as much as I can but I have no idea what to use or where to start. I don't know enough about wood to even tell you what it's made of, except it's not oak or pine. Its a medium dark color inside the drawers where it has not been stained.
Any help you could provide would be welcome.
Thank you for your time.
Nancy
George
04-22-01, 10:02 AM
Nancy:
I'd suggest using what I use in my shop to clean furniture - VM&P (Varnish & Paint Makers) Naphtha. It's a petroleum distillate a little higher up the fractionating table than paint thinner. It cuts grease, oil, dirt and wax, leaves no residue and will not harm any finish. It's available at most home centers and paint stores.
Naphtha is a little smelly (but not much), and is highly flammable. Take proper safety measures when using - disposing of rags properly, adequate ventilation, etc.
Use with rags, a soft bristle scrub brush (toothbrushes work well for those hard to get at areas) or 0000 steel wool for really stubborn spots.
A good paste wax will bring new life to the old finish and should provide adequate protection in a climate controlled environment.
I'd suggest using what I use in my shop to clean furniture - VM&P (Varnish & Paint Makers) Naphtha. It's a petroleum distillate a little higher up the fractionating table than paint thinner. It cuts grease, oil, dirt and wax, leaves no residue and will not harm any finish. It's available at most home centers and paint stores.
Naphtha is a little smelly (but not much), and is highly flammable. Take proper safety measures when using - disposing of rags properly, adequate ventilation, etc.
Use with rags, a soft bristle scrub brush (toothbrushes work well for those hard to get at areas) or 0000 steel wool for really stubborn spots.
A good paste wax will bring new life to the old finish and should provide adequate protection in a climate controlled environment.