Antique cabinet/desk that was painted over with a design underneath door of the desk?
Question:we started to power stripping the paint off, when a design started to appear. Shaped as a chandler. need to know what is best to restore with out ruining the antique cabinet/desk.
Answers:
I wouldnt recommend sanding, you are best to get a paste furniture stripper to remove the paint. Stay away from the citrus ones though, although they seem less caustic they dont work very well. The best one I have found is Dads Stripper which you can find at Walmart. After all the paint is gone, then you can lightly sand the areas that need it before refinishing. Then you can restain, or just rub on a coat of wax for a great natural finish.
Best to leave it alone until you have a sample looked at.
Polychrome pieces can have considerable value if the overpaint can be removed by a qualified conservator.
Ran into several pieces that were hand painted underneath
& stopped work until I informed the owner .
If the stripping you have done has not damaged the painted details , I you want to save it, you really need a pro, not just a strip shop.
It may be that it is a " production "piece with not much "antique" value & a respectable dealer will be able to advise on how to proceed.
If you are given the OK to diy, avoid sanding & use a heavy paste stripper which allows the finish to be lifted off rather than scraped or scrubbed off.
Use plastic brushes & tools.
A final cleanup w/ a liquid stripper is OK , but use rags & bronze wool to remove residue.
Because it was painted, does not mean inferior wood was used.
It was probably just the fashion of the day.
You may still have a very nice piece when you're done.
Also,avoid staining if you can.
If it turns out to be esp.a hardwood , one of the easiest finishes to apply is an oil finish which will help preserve the wood & give a warm, rich & more "antiquey" look.
Take your time with it & you can expect very good results.
Best regards
You may have a very old and valuable piece. I think you need the advice of an expert,as suggested.The design is most likely part of the original finish. Then you would want to save it. That is not an easy job for a do it yourselfer.You could ask a local Antique Dealer for a name of someone experienced in this type of restoration. Good Luck!
More Related Questions & Answers...