Thread: G'day folks...help with old english oak desk please.

Firstly Lawry I would say you have done a really good job on cleaning it up from its previous state. So well done and personally I would give you an 8 to 9 out of 10 with a gold elephant stamp . For your first such project, I am impressed.

I know what Woodwould says is so, for I can see the residuals but and perhaps from a different perspective, the other option could be to leave it as it is and not try to get that last part out. The reason I say this is that regardless of how much you take it back, as you polish it up (using the re-surfacing product of your choice), I wouldn't be surprised if you get some levels of variation in colour, simply because no two pieces of timber are the same, and/or with the passage of time, let alone previous finishes a proportion of such finishes will have soaked into the grain of the timber, which results in a level of discolouration.

For me, I actually like this, for like bumps, bruses and old scratches a level of variation in colour etc is a part of the patina of a piece. I also think it is not uncommon for a piece of furniture such as this desk with the scroll work, carvings etc that a level of darker colours would normally be found around such areas in contrast to the larger flatter surfaces.

Again if it were my piece and I were to be removing the leather, I would very much try to sand out the worst of poor sanding marks, carefully, (ie. try using 240 grade to see if it worked ok), but I realise you might be concerned about doing this, and certainly Woodwould is not a fan of this sort of work when restoring a piece.

Again perhaps one way to test this out, might be see if you could sand somewhere on it and re-coat using the finishing product of your choice to determine if you are happy with such an approach.

The one thing I would say is that grain has really come up well and when finished will be a key feature of your desk.

Re the leather, it is perhaps a little hard to offer advice on that. You might like to talk to a furniture repair place, or leather outlet to see if they can provide you with some advice on it. For if still basically serviceable, you might be able to re-juvinate it with a hide food, rather than going the extra effort (and possibly a level of difficulty in replacing it). On the other hand if it really is very poor condition, it would tend to detract from the restored wood work.

Ahh Woodwould..I reckon you were an apprentice master at some stage..you are a hard marker!!

I must say though, that other than odd bits around the carved areas, I'm not sure that I see much residual varnish? I wiped meth all over the piece and didnt really have any more white residue? at the risk of sounding like a whingeing apprentice , outside of the carved areas and perhaps the edges in between the inlay, where else do you see needing more rubbing?
Also, I'll put some close ups of the leather at a later stage (once I pass the prearation stage!) so you can see better.

Cheers, Lawry

Originally Posted by Lawry01

Ahh Woodwould..I reckon you were an apprentice master at some stage..you are a hard marker!!

I must say though, that other than odd bits around the carved areas, I'm not sure that I see much residual varnish? I wiped meth all over the piece and didnt really have any more white residue? at the risk of sounding like a whingeing apprentice , outside of the carved areas and perhaps the edges in between the inlay, where else do you see needing more rubbing?
Also, I'll put some close ups of the leather at a later stage (once I pass the prearation stage!) so you can see better.

Cheers, Lawry

Between the leathers struck me as a particularly grotty area, but I can see other shadowy areas too. You have done an outstanding job thus far. Just don't be too complacent as the next stages might highlight any short cuts at this stage.

BTW, I did teach restoration at an English college for a while.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

Between the leathers struck me as a particularly grotty area, but I can see other shadowy areas too. You have done an outstanding job thus far. Just don't be too complacent as the next stages might highlight any short cuts at this stage.

BTW, I did teach restoration at an English college for a while.

Woodould.....I figured you had this sort of experience...for which I'm grateful!
Yes, I'll have a go at between the leathers..it is the grottiest part of the whole job. I'm a little scared of damaqging the already poor leatherwork. Also, I agree not to be complacent..whilst this is my first project, there's no reason for it to be a half baked job! I do, however , want to make a decision about the leathers. Camera battery is charging, so cant post a pic yet, but a lot of the leather is dry , a few gouges and holes down to the timvber, and colour lifting from around the edges. Looks like someone (I wonder who???!!!) put tape around the edges and it lifted the colour! If they are beyond repair, I guess removing them and really working the whole top surface is the go. Otherwise, easy does it around those areas I guess.

Horsecroft....Thanks also for your 'marks' I imagine there is a grey area between getting everything right and leaving some of the so coalled 'character', with slight colour variation in the timvber, etc. (whgich actually does look quite good on this piece)

But again, right now, my hands have had it...they've been steel wooled, metho'ed and stripped of feeling for the night..and I think my wife wants me out of the garage for a night!

Will post leather close-up pics later FYI and views.
Cheers folks, lawry
ps. ..are either of you coming to Brisbane for the woodwork show later this month?

The desk is never going to look pristine, so pristine/replaced leathers would look out of place. And at any rate, replacement leathers would likely cost considerably more than the desk is worth!

Masking the leathers is what i would do, but with low-tack tape. Waxing the leathers will also aid in releasing the tape. Waxing the whole piece when finished will go a long way to restoring and improving the look of the leathers.

I seldom leave the house these days, so the Brisbane show is not on my radar I'm afraid.

Good morning gents!

Woodwould..pics of the leather attached. I knoiw what you mean about pristine new leather looking quite out of place..and I really have no idea about the cost of replacement anyway. I've cleaned it as best I could with a leather cleaner, and I have some connolly leather conditioner (used to have a nice old Jag that appreciated this stuff!)...is that what you would do to it?

Todays task, however, is to finesse the prep work as youve both suggested..maybe lightly sand the worst of the scratch marks?

Then, oh gracious mentors of mine..would I be ready to look at next steps?

So..its off upastairs for a quick coffee, then down to the project!

Cheers, Lawry

The leathers are a bit tatty in places, but don't warrant replacement in my book. I do see plenty more old finish dotted around the place! I don't know what's in Connolly's conditioner, but as already mentioned, the furniture wax you'll eventually use on the remainder of the desk will be suitable for the leathers too.

I've made my stance on the use of sandpaper.

No finish until the desk is clean! Once you have the remaining scuzz removed, give the woodwork a rub over with a medium Scotch pad and then vacuum it all over.

Yes sir!! Loud & Cleare!! Back to the rubbing then!! Connellys....dont know whats in it, but its a thick cream/ paste used in automotive leather, specifically designed for some of the more classic salloons..jags/ rolls etc. where connoly hide was used...however, if your suggesting that whatever we use on the timber will also be leather friendly, then why not kill 2 birds with one product!

Well gentlemen...trust you've had en enjoyable Friday. ...I think I've almost rubbed the desk to its soul! I've done a little bit harder work around the scratch matks.. evident, but improved. Taken off more of the gunge in between the leathers (not sure I want to do more, in fear of getting into the grain fibres), rubbed back the odds & ends I could see around the legs etc.Hopefully its ready for next phase. I'm just about to do the once over with scotchbrite and vacuum (wife will think her luck has changed if I touch that machkine!)

Also..is this the best way for us to use the forum/ communicate? I notice we have alomst got 40 'quotes ' between us all. All great and fun as well, but are we better off doing this off-line from the forum..say email or are you ok to just continue on? Lawry

If you continue on the forum, then somebody else might gain something from the thread in the future.

Now this is only my suggestion – there are dozens of possibilities with applying finishes – which I think will suit your abilities and provide good results.

Purchase some of our benefactor's Sanding Sealer and apply it to the now absolutely spotless surface of the desk adhering to U-Beaut's instructions. You'll also want some of U-Beaut's French Polish (following the instructions in steps 1 and 2 only) and some Traditional Wax in either Cedar or Neutral and again, follow the directions.

Buy a litre of meths from Bunny's for cleaning the brush etc. and some 600 grit wet-or-dry paper and post some pictures when you're finished.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

If you continue on the forum, then somebody else might gain something from the thread in the future.

Now this is only my suggestion – there are dozens of possibilities with applying finishes – which I think will suit your abilities and provide good results.

Purchase some of our benefactor's Sanding Sealer and apply it to the now absolutely spotless surface of the desk adhering to U-Beaut's instructions. You'll also want some of U-Beaut's French Polish (following the instructions in steps 1 and 2 only) and some Traditional Wax in either Cedar or Neutral and again, follow the directions.

Buy a litre of meths from Bunny's for cleaning the brush etc. and some 600 grit wet-or-dry paper and post some pictures when you're finished.

Sounds good.....I note your 3 words, 8 syllables inclusive...."absolutely spotless surface"....! Well...I reckon its pretty good, and to take a leaf out of Horsecrofts views, a bit of 'patina' will enhance the character! As a first time apprecnice, you will probably give me a hard time, teach me a few hard lessons, and then say job well done - use what you've learnt next time to do even better!! I also note your safety clause..use steps 1 & 2 ONLY!!

More than happy to use Ubeaut material..Is it best for me to order from this site?
Can you help me understand why you are suggestihg French Polish rather than shellac? And what quantities of your suggested finishes would you think I would need please?

Looking forward to seeing this come together..and posting some amazing pics.
Lawry

Originally Posted by Lawry01

Also..is this the best way for us to use the forum/ communicate? I notice we have alomst got 40 'quotes ' between us all. All great and fun as well, but are we better off doing this off-line from the forum..say email or are you ok to just continue on? Lawry

Don't you bloody dare!

Photos of nice furniture and other people working is what we come here for.


And the excellent advice - as you know already.

Love the desk, love the carvings, love the oak.
You're doing a really good job.

Cheers,
Paul McGee

Originally Posted by Lawry01

More than happy to use Ubeaut material..Is it best for me to order from this site?

... or from one of the listed suppliers. Carroll's (Jim Carroll lives here too) is your best bet for mail order if you can't find it locally.

Originally Posted by Lawry01

Can you help me understand why you are suggestihg French Polish rather than shellac?

French polish is shellac. If you'd prefer to use clear shellac or mix your own from U-Beaut's flakes, it's all fine.

Originally Posted by Lawry01

And what quantities of your suggested finishes would you think I would need please?

A 500ml bottle of each should do the job.

Originally Posted by Lawry01

Also..is this the best way for us to use the forum/ communicate? I notice we have alomst got 40 'quotes ' between us all. All great and fun as well, but are we better off doing this off-line from the forum..say email or are you ok to just continue on? Lawry

Originally Posted by pmcgee

Don't you bloody dare!

Photos of nice furniture and other people working is what we come here for.


And the excellent advice - as you know already.

Love the desk, love the carvings, love the oak.
You're doing a really good job.

Cheers,
Paul McGee

I'll seconded that.