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Wanted one for a while and finally got one. Currently clamped lid at one corner with glue for repair. Standard old fashioned hinges.
I would like to clean and protect. I'm thinking the original protection was something like a boiled linseed oil. If this is so I would like to wash down and apply again.
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Scrubbed the top with Sunlight soap today and 90% of the finish has been removed. I still want to see if I can clean the ring stains off. Tested it with metholated spirits and it wasn't shellac. Any ideas what they used to finish these with? I'm considering blonde shellac to highlight the great grain but willing to try the original finish. Found an old key and tried it with success. I have found one of the feet is missing so that will have to be replaced to avoid putting twist onto it.
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The dark rings look like iron oxide stains from wet iron cans or something like that. Try a test spot of Oxalic acid on them and see if it removes it . You just have to test first because you may end up with it a fair bit lighter where you try it . If its better then you could colour up the lighter spots .
Rob
Hi Rob,
I finally found Oxacilic Acid and a few things to try it on. It seems to me that I always need a few items with problems before I finally jump in and try something new. :)
Oxalic acid applied to rust stains
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I tried some general purpose thinners and it certainly didn't remove anything. When I tried applying oxalic acid I the areas of the old finish the oxalic acid wouldn't penetrate.
I'm beginning to think this was just a storage chest maybe for a wedding dress and finery (hence the little box at top). The inside is just clean so nothing was applied there.
I am considering adding a light storage frame inside to enable me to have 2 layers of items stored. Not fixed just something that easily lifts out.
Maybe the outside should be treated with some boiled linseed oil and varnish mixture.
Any ideas?
So the oxacilic acid worked well but rather than try to completely eliminate this part of the chest's history I stopped short and kept the lighter stains as part of the patina.
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Here's the rest of the chest as it was scrubbed clean and the first layer of oil and varnish starting to go on
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Here is the final product which has been confiscated when it was passing through the lounge room. I know the only way to get it back is to replace it with something nicer but for now I'm happy with the complement.
The handles were briefly cleaned in white vinegar and then scrubbed before drying and being sprayed with a clear finish.
There were only 2 of the 3 edging on the top so I have left them unfinished with the hope of finding suitable material for the 3rd and then finishing them.
As shown the bottom was missing a foot but I decided that was how it was found so that is how it stays and added wheels to move it safely on our floors.
Remaining work will be to add a restraint (need to research how they did it at that time) to prevent the lid opening too far.
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Many thanks to everyone who has been commenting on all my recent posts and especially to
https://www.woodworkforums.com/member...-xanthorrhoeas
https://www.woodworkforums.com/members/16170-auscab
for taking the time to give so much helpful advice. I feel this piece has been a turning point in my restoration education. A lkot of what I am doing will be coming into our home and others will be set free to give enjoyment to others.