I just posted a note about using this cabinet in my shop for tool storage. It is an old, solid wood, tiger oak Woodruff card file cabinet with the typical scratches, dings and wear that go with a piece from circa 1920. Even though it is going into the shop for tool storage, it is a nice piece and I’d like to clean it up and restore it. I’m not looking to make it a show room piece, just bring out the beauty of the wood while retaining the evidence of its age.
Any suggestions on the best way to do this?
Thanks
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Replies
Nice cabinet. You may get a lot of advice on how to tackle this project, however, one method I found that works to "Clean it up" is to wash it with mineral spirits using a chip brush to clean the "nooks & crannies" and wipe it down. Let that "dry" and then clean it with denatured alcohol. Give it a light coat of "Seal Coat" and then a coat of semi-gloss lacquer or a coat of thinned semi-gloss poly. You'll retain the character of use while protecting it from future wear. Good luck.
No idea wht the finish is, but if it happens to be shellac, cleaning with denatured alcohol will remove the old finish. Just be cautious and as always, start in an inconspicuous area. One thing I have done with old shellac finish is to pad on some new shellac. I go over the whole piece and the new and old blend together and again keep some of the the character. The process I've used is like French polishing, but I limit it to just a few coats.
Briwax or other wax that contains a bit of a solvent (usually mineral spirits). That's all you need. If you just have to go a little farther, try Howard's Restore-A-Finish. Test on an inconspicuous place first.
Another vote for cleaning with mineral spirits and a chip brush and a soft rag. I would remove all the hardware first of course. Another vote for wax. I recently had great results using wax on a white oak table and chairs from 1938.