Antique Clothes Chest Restoration

Antique clothes chest restoration project by Kirt Blattenberger - Airplanes and Rockets
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Another of Melanie's family's relics is this pine clothes chest. After more than 100 years of use and abuse, this chest was in dire need of restoration. Construction is very low density pine, with dovetailed corners. Finish was a clear varnish with no stain. The bottom, back, and inside had no finish at all. Restoration consisted of knocking apart and re-gluing most joints, sanding, and filling in the multiple dings and scratches where they were really deep. Minor imperfections were kept for the sake of character. Minwax dark walnut stain was used inside and out, and allowed to dry for a week. Then, two coats of Deft satin clear were brushed on with 320 sanding and 0000 steel wool between coats, then three coats of Deft spray clear satin were applied, with 0000 steel wool between coats. Finally, 1/4" cedar was installed in the bottom and on the underside of the lid. A heavy brass piano hinge replaced the two door hinges on the original, and a length of black chain keeps the lid from opening too far. Project Time: 3 months.

Antique clothes chest restoration (lid closed) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Completed w/Lid Closed

Antique clothes chest restoration (cedar lining) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Completed w/Cedar Lining

Antique clothes chest restoration (before commencing) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Before Commencing Restoration

Antique clothes chest restoration (before stripping) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Before Stripping

Antique clothes chest restoration (Supermodel Melanie) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Internal Storage Bin

Antique clothes chest restoration (latch cutout) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Latch Cutout

Antique clothes chest restoration (bottom before stripping) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Bottom Before Stripping

Antique clothes chest restoration (left rear foot) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Left Rear Foot (repair needed)

Antique clothes chest restoration (right rear foot) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Right Rear Foot

Antique clothes chest restoration (top before stripping) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Top Before Stripping

  Antique clothes chest restoration (inside before stripping) - Airplanes and Rockets

Antique Clothes Chest

Inside Before Stripping

 

 

Posted October 19, 2014