fostel@ncsu.UUCP (10/18/83)
I have a number of rather old pieces of furniture (circa 1900) and I
wonder if anyone knows what I should be doing to care for them. None
of them are high gloss (anymore) and several of them seem to be rather
dry. Is there anything that will penetrate finishes of that time to
help protect the wood a bit without any bad side-effects? Further, most
of the pieces are unfinished on the inside -- will I cause warpage if
I do anything to the inside. So far Im guilty of ommision, not yet
commision. I do not want to refinish them for a few years yet.
----GaryFostel----snafu@ihuxi.UUCP (Dave Wallis) (10/24/83)
Lemon oil (commercially prepared for wood) is usally quite good for
restoring moisture to old dried wood. Reapplying it every year should
help protect the wood from dry rot and cracking. If your pieces are
from the 1900's and have never been finished on the inside, I wouldn't
worry about warpage. If they have not warped in 70+ years, they are
not likely to warp now (assuming reasnable care).
If you plan to refinish old furniture, it is best to not use a
chemical stripper if it can be avoided. Turpentine or mineral spirits
and moderately coarse steel wool will remove most varnishes or
shellacs without removing the natural oils from the wood. This will
also help preserve the aged color and texture of the wood (patina)
that make old furniture so beautiful.
--
D. Wallis (insert snappy signature here)
AT&T Western Electric, Naperville Il.
(312) 979-5894