Thread: Restoration old silky oak wardrobe

True, but still to be appreciated and enjoyed!

Guten Tag, wie geht es dir!
Welcome Angelmark! I've just caught up with your thread, and it looks like you have an interesting project! The piece is really quite lovely, and I'm sure with the help so far, and more to come no doubt (from this site) you will reap the benefits.
Just to add to the advice given so far, it does seem to me from the pics that you need to remove a little more from the surface (the darker parts seem to be remnant old shellac) Whilst I know this means a little more elbow grease, if there was one big lesson I learned when first on this forum, its not to skimp on this preparatory phase!! Also, to re-emphasise, the views on orange shellac (have only used this type) DONT listen to the shop dudes, for they know not what they say!! I have had amazing success (with some amazing help from here) with shellac. I mixed my own, and the results on my old english oak desk speak for themselves. When I started on this desk it was completely 'violated'...modern polyurethane with a dark red jarrah stain!!!!!!!! Now it has its old worlde warm glow and charm back..so dont be too concerned about the darkness in your piece...I think its mainly old finish . Anyway..there are others here with far more knowledge than me, so take heed. Looking forward to your next steps! Lawry

I reckon just do the rubbing with the wad or rubber (cotton wool bundled up inside a piece of fine cloth also works a treat) and you'll get the result you want. There's probably some youtube tutorials (there is on everything else) but essentially you bring it in like it's a plane landing and then take it off at the other end. If you find it sticks (could be the temperature) a spot or two of paraffin oil or similar will just smooth it along.

But remember once you start, keep going until you can't do anymore. That bit will then be done. Not too long after that get some furniture wax and rub it into the finish with 0000 steel wool (your new friend) and it should come up wonderfully.

If you make a mistake (sometimes you'll find the rubber will stick as you're applying it, for example), just sand the whole area down a bit with 400 grit wet and dry sandpaper and mineral turpentine (remember to wear gloves), wash off the gunk quickly with warm soapy water, dry it quickly and then you're ready to start again.

This is why people love shellac - you rarely have to totally strip it back even is you mess up.

Hallo Lawry01 Du sprichst ja deutsch
Thanks for your encouragement and tips. Yes, elbow grease is certainly the word. Looks like previously a wood stain or darker shellac has been used. Really difficult to get out, but I take your advise and keep going (no short cuts) This forum is a real find Without all the helpful advise most likely I would have given up and would have gone for polyurethane. So glad I didn't.
Cheers

Thanks Antipodes Really appreciate your tips. Got my Dewaxed White Shellac today and couldn't resist to give it a go. Did what you suggested and tried your method on a piece of pine board. Wow after the 4th application it came up very nicely. Actually, no need to sand in between coats, I'm surprised. This shellac is an amazing product. Just love it Can hardly wait for the 5th/6th and then the final application with wax...
For the first application I used a brush, but then quickly changed over to a rubber/pad (a much finer application). Of course, I'm still in the experimental phase, but much more confident re the outcome. Before 'touching' the wardrobe I'm going to 'experiment' a bit more (plenty of wood under the house). Will be an interesting learning curve.

Careful it's addictive!

Dont forget to post some WIP pics!!!!

Ah Ich sehe Lawry dich auch ein wenig Deutsch sprechen. Ich auch. Meine mutte ist Duetsch. heh heh. but I have to admit my language skills are somewhat rusty from a lack of use etc.

For sure Anglemark, the guys are absolutely correct, this shellacing business can get pretty addictive. I was getting a little high on the fumes from the metho etc on Sunday as I was polishing a little more woodwork in the Pantry in the kitchen out at the country house that we are restoring.

Using a brush can be effective for the trickier areas to cover, but for the flatter surfaces, padding it on is the way to go and will give you a really nice finish, especially more so after the cutting back and waxing final stage. I think my main message is don't be too afraid from having a go at trying it out on the wardrobe. The beauty with shellac is that it is such a relatively easy and forgiving surface finish to work with.

I have an old cedar table in the dining room at home, one of our cats had put a scratch on it. I literally cut the top back using 400 grade paper really lightly, padded on one coat of shellac, allowed it to dry and thereafter immediately cutback with 0000 steel wool and re -waxed the top. It came up fine. Total time for sorting this out, less than 20 mins on Sunday night. That is what I mean by it being forgiving and easy to use.

Ich spreche sehr wenig Deutsch, aber versuchen!
ANgelmark, how goes the progress. Dont forget to update and post pics. (says me who has been somewhagt recalcitrant around my two projects!!)

heh heh zehr gut mein freund, a man of many and varied tallents. But I suspect we are digressing from Angelmark's thread a fraction . However, I must admit, Lawry, you appear to have been a little quiet on your projects of late, but then again, I too have been.

As I was explaining via email to Chief the other day there has been a little bit more done on the dresser top, cleaning off the residual paint but that is about it. I really dislike that part of the project, (paint stripper, muck, teasing out paint out of joints, cracks etc), although in the end at last you can see what the wood looks like.

Right I suspect we probably should let Anglemark update us on progress re the wardrobe, when possible.

Originally Posted by Horsecroft88

Lawry, you appear to have been a little quiet on your projects of late, .

Hi Guys,
euer Deutsch ist ja ganz toll Ich fuehle mich wie zu Hause in Deutschland Here comes the translation ( so the one who don't speak german know we are not talking 'naughty'): "your German is really great, feel like back home in Germany".
I've been working happily on the wardrobe (mainly rubbing, sanding) but then had to go interstate (work wise ) coping with withdrawal symptons I hurried back to Qld and now I'm reunited with my project, ahhh Will start again on the weekend. Hopefully, the first shellac will go on next week. Brushes, shellac, metho, rubbing pad all in place like a surgeon... Yes, it is addictive.......
Thanks for all the great tips, very much appreciated
Of course, I'll make a photo . However, my eyes are already on another project. But this one is really challening - I only say lots of intricate wood carving....
Cheers

Originally Posted by angelmark

Hi Guys,
euer Deutsch ist ja ganz toll Ich fuehle mich wie zu Hause in Deutschland Here comes the translation ( so the one who don't speak german know we are not talking 'naughty'): "your German is really great, feel like back home in Germany".

Ahhhh....Zeit zu bekennen! Mein Einsatz von BING Übersetzer ist ausgezeichnet!
(again..for those who dont speak German....."Time to confess! My used of Bing translater is excellent!!! ) But glad we've made you feel like you're home again!! Looking forward to your pics etc., and the next project. If you need any help, rememnber, I'm also in Qld. Keep up the addiction.I'm going a bit slow on my projects, but getting there slowly. Lawry

Good to hear that you are progressing and that the first coat of shellac is not too far away Sadly, your addiction will only increase once the shellac goes on.

Sadly my German is limited to "travel" level, not restoration of furniture and encouragement level. I know enough to ask the basics and to get myself into trouble!