Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - refinishing an old white canopy bed
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04-22-01, 09:12 PM
Please help. I have just rec'd an old white canopy bed from a deceased family member. I would like to refinish it for my spare room. It has plastic posters and the top of the dresser is formica. It is one of the antique white beds every little girl had back in the 60's and 70's. Is it possible to strip and stain or should I just paint it solid white?
George
04-23-01, 02:25 PM
About all you can do with either the posters or the formica is paint it. I would suggest that as a course of action for the entire set, and here's why.
Factory made pieces that are going to be painted normally use what are called 'secondary' woods for the entire structure. You're not going to strip the dresser or bed and find mahogany or walnut, or anything else that will look good with a clear finish. The piece is structurally sound, but manufacturers don't waste good looking wood under a coat of paint. There's a very good chance you'll find several different species of wood - something almost impossible to "pull together" with a stain of any kind.
Factory made pieces that are going to be painted normally use what are called 'secondary' woods for the entire structure. You're not going to strip the dresser or bed and find mahogany or walnut, or anything else that will look good with a clear finish. The piece is structurally sound, but manufacturers don't waste good looking wood under a coat of paint. There's a very good chance you'll find several different species of wood - something almost impossible to "pull together" with a stain of any kind.