Comments on: To Refinish or Restore? That is the “Question of the Week” http://thewoodwhisperer.com/to-refinish-or-restore-that-is-the-question-of-the-week/ Education and entertainment for the modern woodworker. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:19:02 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Al http://thewoodwhisperer.com/to-refinish-or-restore-that-is-the-question-of-the-week/#comment-27952 Al Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:58:51 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=994#comment-27952 I don't know what the value of chest is but anyone who watches The Antique Road Show knows not to refinish a piece of furniture if it is an antique or if you think it is. One individual refinished an antique Connecticut high boy. You couldn't see what the wood was underneath. After he removed all of the finish tiger maple was underneath and it was beautiful. The value was appraised at $15,000. Not bad. However, they told him that had he not refinished, it would be worth $150.000. I don’t know what the value of chest is but anyone who watches The Antique Road Show knows not to refinish a piece of furniture if it is an antique or if you think it is. One individual refinished an antique Connecticut high boy. You couldn’t see what the wood was underneath. After he removed all of the finish tiger maple was underneath and it was beautiful. The value was appraised at $15,000. Not bad. However, they told him that had he not refinished, it would be worth $150.000.

]]> By: Steve Carter http://thewoodwhisperer.com/to-refinish-or-restore-that-is-the-question-of-the-week/#comment-27947 Steve Carter Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:04:24 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=994#comment-27947 Once again perfect timing for one of my many pending projects. I recently was lucky enough to have my great-grandmother's trunk come into my possession. According to family folklore it dates back to the early 1880's. It is in relatively good condition. The leather handles are missing and there is some decay on the bottom. The interior is in sad shape. I had been debating What I should do to help bring it back to life. After reading this post, I'm inclined to make it as usable as possible by adding an aromatic cedar lining, new leather handles and repairing the bottom. I agree with Vic, it seems like yesterday when I first found the site. It's been fun watching your transformation. Once again perfect timing for one of my many pending projects. I recently was lucky enough to have my great-grandmother’s trunk come into my possession. According to family folklore it dates back to the early 1880’s. It is in relatively good condition. The leather handles are missing and there is some decay on the bottom. The interior is in sad shape.

I had been debating What I should do to help bring it back to life. After reading this post, I’m inclined to make it as usable as possible by adding an aromatic cedar lining, new leather handles and repairing the bottom.

I agree with Vic, it seems like yesterday when I first found the site. It’s been fun watching your transformation.

]]> By: Jim Gottsch http://thewoodwhisperer.com/to-refinish-or-restore-that-is-the-question-of-the-week/#comment-27922 Jim Gottsch Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:33:50 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=994#comment-27922 I think when it comes to antique that if the finish is intact and all there just a good cleaning is all that is needed. But if it is mostly missing or veneer needs fixed or replaced go ahead and strip it . I'm sure if it is a family herloom value has no meaning you just what it to look nice and to have for generations to come.I have some myself and have never had to do anything as it has been taking care of very well.I do this as a side line business but not a true professional at it.I always do what the customer asks but try to save finishes if I can. I think when it comes to antique that if the finish is intact and all there just a good cleaning is all that is needed. But if it is mostly missing or veneer needs fixed or replaced go ahead and strip it . I’m sure if it is a family herloom value has no meaning you just what it to look nice and to have for generations to come.I have some myself and have never had to do anything as it has been taking care of very well.I do this as a side line business but not a true professional at it.I always do what the customer asks but try to save finishes if I can.

]]> By: Morgan Holt http://thewoodwhisperer.com/to-refinish-or-restore-that-is-the-question-of-the-week/#comment-27917 Morgan Holt Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:54:43 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=994#comment-27917 My family as a kid bought lots of 'antiques' in Nebraska and Kansas. Mom (with slave labor) sanded and refinished them without regard to value. All of the pieces were late 1880 to 1900 pieces that were abused and stunk so bad you could never have them in your home. They were cheap, and for a starting out family, they were affordable and interesting. I enjoy using them every day, and they meet my needs still 50 years later. No value wasted, an old item recycled, and new life is found. If the table is not worth much, refinish it and enjoy it for years to come. My family as a kid bought lots of ‘antiques’ in Nebraska and Kansas. Mom (with slave labor) sanded and refinished them without regard to value. All of the pieces were late 1880 to 1900 pieces that were abused and stunk so bad you could never have them in your home. They were cheap, and for a starting out family, they were affordable and interesting. I enjoy using them every day, and they meet my needs still 50 years later. No value wasted, an old item recycled, and new life is found. If the table is not worth much, refinish it and enjoy it for years to come.

]]> By: Vic http://thewoodwhisperer.com/to-refinish-or-restore-that-is-the-question-of-the-week/#comment-27896 Vic Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:37:15 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=994#comment-27896 Geez Marc, over 60 videos? You're makin' me feel old. I remember "This Jointer's Jumpin'" like it was yesterday. (Cue the Wayne's World cut-to-the-past music) When I first found your site, I knew you were going to be very successful, and this is still just the beginning. You and Nicole have accomplished an incredible feat with this "show". KUDOS, my man!!! Kyle, I vote check out the value. Sell it if it's worth a bunch. Make it look brand new if not. I hate the years of grime they say is patina. Somebody should've been dustin' those old "antiques". Geez Marc, over 60 videos? You’re makin’ me feel old. I remember “This Jointer’s Jumpin’” like it was yesterday. (Cue the Wayne’s World cut-to-the-past music)
When I first found your site, I knew you were going to be very successful, and this is still just the beginning. You and Nicole have accomplished an incredible feat with this “show”. KUDOS, my man!!!

Kyle, I vote check out the value. Sell it if it’s worth a bunch. Make it look brand new if not. I hate the years of grime they say is patina.
Somebody should’ve been dustin’ those old “antiques”.

]]> By: Germain http://thewoodwhisperer.com/to-refinish-or-restore-that-is-the-question-of-the-week/#comment-27883 Germain Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:15:41 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=994#comment-27883 I find it interesting that the industry of refinishing old furniture was pretty much destroyed by Antiques Roadshow. I gotta admit, after I'd seen more than five ocassions of a rare, valuable item reduced to near nothing by a refinishing job, my attitude also changed. You gotta admit, those well-dressed twin dudes know what they're talking about when it comes to appraising furniture. Yet, I agree if you want a piece of furniture purely for personal form and function, go with what you like. Maintaining a deep, red shellac finish may be good for value, but it will likely look downright lame in most homes. Then again, I always cringe when I see people taking a spray can to very nice wood furniture on the Krylon commercials... I find it interesting that the industry of refinishing old furniture was pretty much destroyed by Antiques Roadshow. I gotta admit, after I’d seen more than five ocassions of a rare, valuable item reduced to near nothing by a refinishing job, my attitude also changed. You gotta admit, those well-dressed twin dudes know what they’re talking about when it comes to appraising furniture.

Yet, I agree if you want a piece of furniture purely for personal form and function, go with what you like. Maintaining a deep, red shellac finish may be good for value, but it will likely look downright lame in most homes.

Then again, I always cringe when I see people taking a spray can to very nice wood furniture on the Krylon commercials…

]]> By: Adam http://thewoodwhisperer.com/to-refinish-or-restore-that-is-the-question-of-the-week/#comment-27881 Adam Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:06:57 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=994#comment-27881 Those were some good observations Marc. I know what you mean when you describe getting complaints and corrections over the subject. People are always confusing a refinish job with historical restoration. Any refinishing or repair is restoration, but historical restoration is the tricky area you were describing. Good answer. A couple of things for Kyle to consider: 1.)The age of the piece: If it's from a period before 1840, then you better have it appraised. 2.) The origins of the piece: Are there distinct marks or labels that let you know what company made it and from where? This can also determine a value. Here's an article that goes into greater detail what should be considered when restoring an heirloom. www.adamkingstudio.com/to-strip-or-not-to-strip Hope this helps! Those were some good observations Marc. I know what you mean when you describe getting complaints and corrections over the subject. People are always confusing a refinish job with historical restoration. Any refinishing or repair is restoration, but historical restoration is the tricky area you were describing. Good answer.

A couple of things for Kyle to consider:

1.)The age of the piece: If it’s from a period before 1840, then you better have it appraised.

2.) The origins of the piece: Are there distinct marks or labels that let you know what company made it and from where? This can also determine a value.

Here’s an article that goes into greater detail what should be considered when restoring an heirloom.

http://www.adamkingstudio.com/.....t-to-strip

Hope this helps!

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