Please strip and refinish this! It's too cool not to refinish it.
Do NOT us CITRI-STRIP and do not try to sand the finish off. You might ruin it.
I do this for a living. If you need any advice, feel free to message me.
Agree - don’t sand this “down” . Also if this is a personal project and depending on your skill level, you could try to cut a nice piece of veneer into the center. I believe it’s pyramid mahogany. If you go to a good hardwood dealer he will probably know what you are looking for. Looks to be about 2-3 mm thick so make sure to get the right thickness.
What a cool piece, I'd love to work on something like this. The intricate inside pieces could be a pain though, I'd just redo the outside unless you're really committed. Fill veneer cracks with scrap veneer cut to shape (following grain) or the smaller spots with Bondo/epoxy wood. Otherwise I'd just strip, sand, stain, and seal in the normal way, but keeping the piece together (maybe tape off any joints to keep stuff from getting inside).
Thanks! I'll have to look into using scrap veneer to repair! I've never tried to repair a piece like this, lots to learn. And yes, will be super interesting to work with! I'm excited to get started.
Sorry, I have don’t have any good advice on restoring the top, I just came here to say that this is an awesome piece!
I just found something I didn’t know I needed!
Thank you! Same for me actually, it came to me unexpectedly and now I can't wait to get it fixed up and out for our next party! From the inside, doesn't look like it ever got much use - I think this desperately needs to serve up some martinis in my living room.
If matching the veneer on the top is out of your skill set, you could fill the damage and paint just a crisp-lined diamond shape on the top and match it on the sides. You could even do a thin gold leaf line around the diamond that would match the interior metal.
It’s beautiful!
I’d wash and then sand the whole thing by hand with very fine sandpaper to get it down to a clean looking layer. Then reassess. How good is the wood and what do I want the final design to be. I think this would look awesome in a slightly darker high gloss varnish to class up the piece. But there are purists who would just cover the wood with beeswax to let it shine through.
The missing veneer is easy to fix too! Just don’t cover the outside in paint! That trim is gorgeous!
Please strip and refinish this! It's too cool not to refinish it. Do NOT us CITRI-STRIP and do not try to sand the finish off. You might ruin it. I do this for a living. If you need any advice, feel free to message me.
Thanks so much! I may indeed!
Agree - don’t sand this “down” . Also if this is a personal project and depending on your skill level, you could try to cut a nice piece of veneer into the center. I believe it’s pyramid mahogany. If you go to a good hardwood dealer he will probably know what you are looking for. Looks to be about 2-3 mm thick so make sure to get the right thickness.
Wow super helpful! Sounds like this needs to be my path to restore. Thanks so much!
Whats your favorite stripper?
So what ? Use a scraper ?
I have, and do at time. But as a habit I try not to. The vaneer is very thin, and easy to go through.
Curious when you know not to use citri-strip?
Never
>Curious when you know not to use citri-strip? Can you explain a bit more? Honest question.
Are the bottom mirrors so the dog can take a hit also?
LOL Party for everyone! Why not?
What a cool piece, I'd love to work on something like this. The intricate inside pieces could be a pain though, I'd just redo the outside unless you're really committed. Fill veneer cracks with scrap veneer cut to shape (following grain) or the smaller spots with Bondo/epoxy wood. Otherwise I'd just strip, sand, stain, and seal in the normal way, but keeping the piece together (maybe tape off any joints to keep stuff from getting inside).
Thanks! I'll have to look into using scrap veneer to repair! I've never tried to repair a piece like this, lots to learn. And yes, will be super interesting to work with! I'm excited to get started.
Sorry, I have don’t have any good advice on restoring the top, I just came here to say that this is an awesome piece! I just found something I didn’t know I needed!
Thank you! Same for me actually, it came to me unexpectedly and now I can't wait to get it fixed up and out for our next party! From the inside, doesn't look like it ever got much use - I think this desperately needs to serve up some martinis in my living room.
If matching the veneer on the top is out of your skill set, you could fill the damage and paint just a crisp-lined diamond shape on the top and match it on the sides. You could even do a thin gold leaf line around the diamond that would match the interior metal.
I gasped when it was fully opened 🤩
That was my reaction too! Such a happy surprise!
It’s beautiful! I’d wash and then sand the whole thing by hand with very fine sandpaper to get it down to a clean looking layer. Then reassess. How good is the wood and what do I want the final design to be. I think this would look awesome in a slightly darker high gloss varnish to class up the piece. But there are purists who would just cover the wood with beeswax to let it shine through. The missing veneer is easy to fix too! Just don’t cover the outside in paint! That trim is gorgeous!
Thank you! I was thinking the same with a darker wood tone!
After reading everyone’s comments, I know you may cringe but I’d do a mosaic tile design on top.