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Thread: nasties hiding under the dust
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25th June 2012, 09:36 PM #1
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nasties hiding under the dust
Hi
I am in the process of doing a very slight restoration on a cedar wardrobe I picked up a while back. Well it's more of a clean of 100 odd years of crud than a restoration.
I am cleaning off the piece with some Howards Restore a Finish and 0000 grade steel wool. It's coming along very nicely however I am noticing lots of small brown flecks that are left on the surface. It almost looks like these are part of the original finish or a mark that a non cedar loving cockroach left behind!
Any ideas on what this is? I am not hugely worried, however would like to make the wardrobe look as good as it should - it is cedar!I dont want to scrub too hard and spoil the original finish though.
Any ideas appreciated.
Cheers
Cam
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26th June 2012, 06:59 PM #2
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Hi Cam....as many on hee would say, a pic would help! Whilst I still consider myself of grasshopper status on here, I have used the Howards products quite few times with varying , but generally good success. The first thing that comes to mind (sight unseen) is perhaps give the restore a finish a couple of goes, and leave it on for 30 seconds or so to soften and hopefully amalgamate the finish underneath. Other than that, maybe post a pic and see what other wise one's can offer.
Lawry
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27th June 2012, 03:50 PM #3
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Thanks Lawry, I appreciate the comments. I ended up going to 000 rather than 0000 steel wool which has done the trick.
I was concerned with going to hard and spoiling the original finish,..I think its coming up ok!
I hope you are enjoying your desk!
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27th June 2012, 04:04 PM #4
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Nice grain on there Cam! And yes, I'm absolutely loving using my dsesk...creates a very warm ambience in the room.
Are you going to rub more back, or just enough to try the howards product?
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27th June 2012, 04:24 PM #5
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The grain is stunning, they choose some nice pieces of timber for the sides. It's been very satisfying to see it start to appear again. I don't want to go too hard on it so am seeing how it looks with a light clean and polish. I don't think it needs anything more than a sympathetic clean. If it's not up to scratch though, I will hit it again.
Glad that you are enjoying your desk!
Back to the cleaning
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27th June 2012, 04:28 PM #6
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Looking forward to seeing your results. WHich Restore a finish colour are you using?
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27th June 2012, 04:30 PM #7
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I am using the Mahogany,..the closest to cedar they do so I have been told!
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27th June 2012, 04:33 PM #8
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Btw, this is what I started with, it hasnt been to hard thus far to make it look better!!
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27th June 2012, 04:42 PM #9
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Thats a lovely classical looking piece! Seems like the flecks you originally had were just some old remnants of finish that just needed to be rubbed around/ out etc. If the few items I've used RaF on are any guage, I reckon yours will be well restored to its original glory!! I have a beautiful old early 1900's sideboard that is on my list to do the same with - not sure what the timber is though. With a bit of luck, I shouldnt need any/ much rubbing back..maybe a light goiung over with 0000 to clean it up, then an oak tinted RaF, then wax. The old shellac is looking a little mottled (patina!)
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27th June 2012, 05:04 PM #10
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I am usually impressed by what the RaF (!) products can do,..all with the help of the 0000,..a good combo!
Arm sore from polishing already,..out of practice
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27th June 2012, 05:09 PM #11
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Yes, I'm always impresed with them too..at first I was skeptical, thinking that it was too good to be true, but on the right pieces, its great stuff. I'm sure some of the real restore/ refinish diehards (no names mentioned WW !!!!) may disagree, and feel its the cheats way out, but I have spoken to a number of antique dealers/ restorers who wish they had discovered RaF years back!
Re your sore arm...may I prescribe some caffeine inducing substance between the hours of waking and around nowish, and post nowish, perhaps an ale, a wine, or better still a scotch!
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27th June 2012, 05:49 PM #12
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I can see why some would think it's the cheats way out, however for those of us without formal training or in practice it is a good solution. I would love to know the correct way to do these things, however the learning takes time and a willing teacher. I am getting there though,...I think I mentioned on a post the other day I would love to know half of what WW does!
I have tried the caffine motivator a few times today, without great success. An ale and/or a glass of red does sound good, however can guarantee that tomorrows work load may be further diminished! Still working my way into scotch,..I am trying! On the rare occasions when I do have a glass, my wife looks at me and the expression on my face and asks "are you enjoying that", I generally reply, "some bits yes, some bits no". I will persevere - I have too many nice bottles in my cellar to not try!
I think my problem is that I have developed a man cold through the day, a gift from my 21 month old monkey (son) who kept me awake half the night coughing,..hopefully he, Mum and I will sleep better tonight and I will feel more energetic for tomorrows elbow work!!
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27th June 2012, 06:00 PM #13
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28th June 2012, 11:01 AM #14
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1st July 2012, 05:54 PM #15
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The wardrobe is all finished, I think it came up pretty well,...time for a new project!
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