nasties hiding under the dust

[Chief012]

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

[Lawry01]

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

[Chief012]

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!

[Lawry01]

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?

[Chief012]

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

[Lawry01]

Looking forward to seeing your results. WHich Restore a finish colour are you using?

[Chief012]

I am using the Mahogany,..the closest to cedar they do so I have been told!

[Chief012]

Btw, this is what I started with, it hasnt been to hard thus far to make it look better!!

[Lawry01]

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!)

[Chief012]

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

[Lawry01]

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

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!

[Chief012]

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!!

[Lawry01]

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!

Absolutely agree..and I am priveledge, like so mny, to have had his on-line tutelage (is that how its spelled?)

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!

When next down your way, would be more than happy to help your scotch -education progress!!

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!!

Hope you recover soon, but in the meantime, play on it a little....its only right to do so!

[Chief012]

Hope you recover soon, but in the meantime, play on it a little....its only right to do so!

Ha thanks Lawry!

[Chief012]

The wardrobe is all finished, I think it came up pretty well,...time for a new project!