refinishing an antique dresser
#1
02-26-01, 03:46 PM
I have a dresser from the late 1800's. It is all oak except for the sides which are oak laminate. The laminate is peeling off. Pieces are missing so I can not repair it that way. The piece is not valuable as an antique so I thought I would paint the sides with a scene of some sort. My main problem is that the laminate that is still there is very well attached. Should I remove the laminate fully and if so how? Or, patch it somehow and with what?
#2
02-27-01, 04:16 PM
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Gini:
Almost every adhesive common to the period you mention will yield to heated white vinegar.
If you'd rather not go the smelly route (and it is) Durhams Rock Hard putty will provide a sandable base to both fill the areas to be patched and the grain of the oak to give you a smooth surface for your decoration. It's compatible with all finishes.
Durhams should be available at most home centers and hardware stores. It's a common material used primarily for filling imperfections in subfloors before laying vinyl roll goods in kithcens and baths.
Almost every adhesive common to the period you mention will yield to heated white vinegar.
If you'd rather not go the smelly route (and it is) Durhams Rock Hard putty will provide a sandable base to both fill the areas to be patched and the grain of the oak to give you a smooth surface for your decoration. It's compatible with all finishes.
Durhams should be available at most home centers and hardware stores. It's a common material used primarily for filling imperfections in subfloors before laying vinyl roll goods in kithcens and baths.
#4
02-28-01, 09:49 AM
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The main trick is to get at least part of an edge up. I inject the vinegar into the crack with a syringe - you can get one at some home centers, or a plastic syringe (like veternarians use) at a drug store - no needle.
Get it in, let it work, and insrt wedges into teh opening as you go. This will keep constant pressure on the veneer (away from the frame) to pry it up further.
It's a slow process - probably about an hour or two to remove the veneer you mentioned. Then you'll need to clean up the substrate (the wood underneath) to get it into shape for your next step.
Get it in, let it work, and insrt wedges into teh opening as you go. This will keep constant pressure on the veneer (away from the frame) to pry it up further.
It's a slow process - probably about an hour or two to remove the veneer you mentioned. Then you'll need to clean up the substrate (the wood underneath) to get it into shape for your next step.
