Hi,
I have a Dresser that my family estimates to be about 70 years old. There are two manufactures I.D.’s in the middle drawer.
They read. Solid Genuine Mahogany and the Manufactures label is Kling Factories of Mayville, N.Y.
My Parents applied a antique kit to it about 40 years ago. This was in Northern Climate. Bufffalo N.Y.
I currently reside in North Carolina. The dresser has been sitting in my garage for about a month very hot and very humid conditions (don’t know if this matters or not)?. After removing the hardware I picked at a piece of the antique and was able to literaly lift a good sized portion of the antique from the top? The underling wood appears to have a waxy tip sheen?
Question: How should I remove the Antique wothout harming the seemingly intact Mahogany surface?
Do you think sand paper would harm?
What would you recommend for a finished look?
Thank You.
Replies
Dennis,
I'm not sure what you mean by an antique kit. A hot and humid environment is always tough on furniture and their finishes.
The original finish was most likely lacquer. The bond of the (antique) coating that was put on is now failing. You may try washing it down with mineral spirits ( paint thinner). This might help lift the rest of it off. You could also use toluene but it is much more aggressive and you have to follow good safety procedures such as rubber gloves, glasses, a respirator and good ventilation. Be careful if you do this and try a small area to test it first. Also make sure you have everything you'll need before you start i. e. paper towels or rags, a bucket for waste etc.
If you decide to sand it off the sandpaper will most likely mar the original surface. In that case you'll probably end up stripping and refinishing.
A final look depends solely on your taste. It can be satin or gloss.
Good luck.
Peter Gedrys
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