As I said earlier, I am now starting to restore some furniture from my grandparents house.
I had planned on getting started last week but my Explorer had different ideas. :BangHead: :crybaby2: :BangHead: :eusa_booh ...
So...I have now dropped and changed the front differential and have changed the passenger side lower ball joint.
Saturday, when I have changed the driver's side lower ball joint, I can get started on the antiques.
Here are some pics of the first pieces that I am starting on.
The clock has been in my grandparents house since before I was born.
I do not know the exact age but, since it is electric, it can only go back so far.
The end table/book holder was bought by my grandparents when they got married.
As you can tell, the finish is worn. It looks like the finish is worn off in a lot of areas and we are down to bare wood. There seems to be a few stains too.
And these glass doors go to the bookcase. There are more doors but you get the idea. They need refinishing and some need actual work.
I think that my first order of business is to get some moisture into all of these pieces. It looks to me that all of this wood is so dry, it is likely as brittle as glass.
I have read that boiled linseed oil is a good way to start.
What I would like to do though is not only start getting moisture into this wood, I would also like to try lifting some of the dirt and contaminents out of the finish.
My goal here is to get the finish as nice as possible. My last resort is to strip anything. Having said that however, these pieces are not going to leave the family and how good they look, as well as durability almost trumps market value. I am patient and am not against taking time if the best option calls for that.
What I am trying to say is, market value means little if it looks like these pieces currently look.
So now I need your advice. How best can I start. Boiled Linseed...or os there a better way to go?
I had planned on getting started last week but my Explorer had different ideas. :BangHead: :crybaby2: :BangHead: :eusa_booh ...
So...I have now dropped and changed the front differential and have changed the passenger side lower ball joint.
Saturday, when I have changed the driver's side lower ball joint, I can get started on the antiques.
Here are some pics of the first pieces that I am starting on.
The clock has been in my grandparents house since before I was born.
I do not know the exact age but, since it is electric, it can only go back so far.
The end table/book holder was bought by my grandparents when they got married.
As you can tell, the finish is worn. It looks like the finish is worn off in a lot of areas and we are down to bare wood. There seems to be a few stains too.
And these glass doors go to the bookcase. There are more doors but you get the idea. They need refinishing and some need actual work.
I think that my first order of business is to get some moisture into all of these pieces. It looks to me that all of this wood is so dry, it is likely as brittle as glass.
I have read that boiled linseed oil is a good way to start.
What I would like to do though is not only start getting moisture into this wood, I would also like to try lifting some of the dirt and contaminents out of the finish.
My goal here is to get the finish as nice as possible. My last resort is to strip anything. Having said that however, these pieces are not going to leave the family and how good they look, as well as durability almost trumps market value. I am patient and am not against taking time if the best option calls for that.
What I am trying to say is, market value means little if it looks like these pieces currently look.
So now I need your advice. How best can I start. Boiled Linseed...or os there a better way to go?