Refin Advice (not bass)

[PSPookie]

So, a few months back I picked up an antique dresser from a couple of little old ladies who live on my street. They claim that it's about a hundred years old and I have no reason to doubt them.

For the last few weeks I've been working on removing the 50 year old coat of (lead based, I'm sure) paint and ancient varnish. After a few quarts of stripper and lacquer thinner and a boat load of elbow grease, I have it down to this:









I haven't stripped the mirror yet so you can see the "before state" in the last two pictures.

My question is: What now? There are some flaws in the stain -- should I try to touch up and blend things together? Re-stain the whole thing? Leave them and call it mojo?

Then, what about a finish? I want to protect the wood but my gut tells me that poly would just be plain wrong. I could give it a good coat or two of Harrow's Feed & Wax (orange oil & beeswax) but I want something low maintenace. I just don't know.

I'd love to hear some opinions. Thanks for the help.

[GeneralElectric]

Finish it in sunburst.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Finish it in sunburst.

With a tort guard

The thought crossed my mind. Maybe sonic blue . . .

[popinfresh]

Do you have any original photos?

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by popinfresh

Do you have any original photos?

Nope. I forgot to take "before" pictures. The mirror is the best example of what it used to look like.

Also, most of these pictures were taken with a flash which seems to exagerate the water spots on the top.

[Asa Samuel]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Finish it in sunburst.

+1

[BillyRay]

Solid color not an option, there are a lot of flaws, blemishes and what not. Maybe try restaining in a darker color ?

If you want to keep the mojo maybe try some Minwax brush on lacquer if you don't want to go the poly way. I'd still use a clear poly since it will be low maintenance, shiny (or not if you with matte), it won't yellow in direct sunlight and it's easy to use*.

And I hope you wore a respirator when working on this.

* Since this isn't a vintage correct piece (compleltly original finish) and it isn't THAT old, I wouldn't bother about poly hurting its value.

[GeneralElectric]

I still say sunburst... It'd be a fun project and you can finish it in nitro. I'm sure it'll sound great!

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I still say sunburst... It'd be a fun project and you can finish it in nitro. I'm sure it'll sound great!

Yeah, but I already have a sunburst end table and I don't want to overdo it

[L-A]

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Yeah, but I already have a sunburst end table and I don't want to overdo it

Nice

I say follow the red hue of the wood and taint it a tad dark. There are a couple of blemishes that a lighter tint would certainly bring out.

[PSPookie]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm starting to form a plan.

Originally Posted by BillyRay

Solid color not an option, there are a lot of flaws, blemishes and what not. Maybe try restaining in a darker color ?

If you want to keep the mojo maybe try some Minwax brush on lacquer if you don't want to go the poly way. I'd still use a clear poly since it will be low maintenance, shiny (or not if you with matte), it won't yellow in direct sunlight and it's easy to use*.

This is probably what I'll end up doing. I just finished stripping the mirror and I put a generous helping of feed & wax on the top of the dresser tonight. I'm going to let it sit overnight and see how it looks in the morning. If I like the mojo, I'll just go with the oil finish on the whole thing. If not, Ill take the oil off with some naptha and stain it and then do the poly. I just can't see putting poly over the blemishes. If I do go with a poly finish it will almost certainy be a satin finish.

Originally Posted by BillyRay

And I hope you wore a respirator when working on this.

Nope. Sure didn't. Should I be worried?

Originally Posted by BillyRay

* Since this isn't a vintage correct piece (compleltly original finish) and it isn't THAT old, I wouldn't bother about poly hurting its value.

In the US 100 years is THAT old I have less than $200 invested in this project so far - that includes the refinishing supplies -- so I'm not terribly concerned with the value aspect. I just meant that it would feel wrong to slap a cheesy poly clearcoat on an old, cool piece of furniture

[PSPookie]

Alright, I got the mirror frame stripped and decided to see what the dresser would look like with a natural oil finish. I figured it would be easy to apply to a sample area and, if I didn't like it, easy to remove. So, I applied a heavy coat of Howard's Feed & Wax to the top of the dresser and let it sit over night.

When I checked it the next day I said "Holly crap! This is exactly the look I wanted!" This stuff is amazing on furniture, and great for natural oil finish basses (plus it smells nice).

Anyhow, here are a couple of pics one with flash and one with no flash. My crappy photography does not do the dresser justice. This thing is sweet. BTW according to my wife, the little old ladies said it was originally purchased in 1895.

[GeneralElectric]

Your dresser looks like a Warwick.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Your dresser looks like a Warwick.

Now that you mention it . . . it kinda does.

Bonus for the unintentional bass-dresser