|
| AUTHOR |
MESSAGE |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Refinishing
I have an old antique sewing machine with the wrought iron foot peddle that's at least over 100 years old. I've been considering refinishing it myself and wondering if anyone has ever refinished an antique, having the knowledge of certain products and techniques pertaining to refinishing antiques. It's one of my hobbies that I enjoy.
 xox
|
| September 11, 2008, 23:08 |
|
funlovingpair
59 / couple
Frozen Tundra, Minnesota, US
|
Re: Refinishing
If this is for an investment purpose, leave it alone. If it is for looks and you don't about the value, then do what ever you want to it. As soon as you strip the old finish off, you take a good portion of value with it. If you don't care about the value, then knock your socks off. My dad has done several items like that. He strips off all the old finish, and will use only tongue oil on the unfinished wood. It brings out the natural grain and colours of the wood, of course showing off all little nicks and dings, which I think add to the beauty.
|
| September 12, 2008, 07:34 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Re: Refinishing
QUOTE (funlovingpair @ September 12, 2008, 07:34)If this is for an investment purpose, leave it alone. If it is for looks and you don't about the value, then do what ever you want to it. As soon as you strip the old finish off, you take a good portion of value with it. If you don't care about the value, then knock your socks off. My dad has done several items like that. He strips off all the old finish, and will use only tongue oil on the unfinished wood. It brings out the natural grain and colours of the wood, of course showing off all little nicks and dings, which I think add to the beauty.
That's for sure. If you do any refinishing it reduces the value.
|
| September 12, 2008, 07:42 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Refinishing
The wood part on mine was just shot, so I mad a mosaic tile top for the wrought iron part, and it's now a nice table for my front porch.
|
| September 12, 2008, 08:58 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Re: Refinishing
QUOTE (funlovingpair @ September 12, 2008, 07:34)If this is for an investment purpose, leave it alone. If it is for looks and you don't about the value, then do what ever you want to it. As soon as you strip the old finish off, you take a good portion of value with it. If you don't care about the value, then knock your socks off. My dad has done several items like that. He strips off all the old finish, and will use only tongue oil on the unfinished wood. It brings out the natural grain and colours of the wood, of course showing off all little nicks and dings, which I think add to the beauty.
Thank you everyone for your input, I think I'm going to leave it alone. Would it be okay to apply some tongue oil without losing the value of it?
xox
|
| September 12, 2008, 11:36 |
|
funlovingpair
59 / couple
Frozen Tundra, Minnesota, US
|
Re: Refinishing
Tica, I'm not sure about that one. Call a refinisher to find out for sure.
|
| September 12, 2008, 12:00 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Refinishing
Thanks Sweeties, I'll do some networking out asking around. I appreciate your help!
xox
|
| September 12, 2008, 15:16 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Refinishing
The thing about these antique tredle machines with the cast iron base...they are very, very common.
It is true in most cases, that stripping and refinishing a piece of furniture does decrease it's value, but restoration is a whole other thing, if a piece has a high value but is in critcally bad condition, it can be restored, but that usually costs a bundle, so only rare pieces are restored.
These cast iron tredle machines as far as I know don't have that much of a value, even in perfect condition, they are just too common. I've had many of them, learned to sew as a child on one, I converted and moderated one just for sewing leather and heavy denim when I was in the seamtress business. I still have many boxes of replacement parts and the tins with all the special attachments.
If yours happens to be a very high end and rare model and you like it's original look, then just clean it, there are kits that clean up and practically restore antique wood furniture very easily without any damage at all.
But...most likely, any old antique cast iron based tredle machine is just a such common thing, there are just so many of them still in existance.
|
| September 12, 2008, 17:47 |
|
|
