Any furniture experts on board?

[MarieAnne]

Does anyone know when this sofa and chair set dates from? I'm stumped and I'm getting very different anwers/opinions. I opened up all the cushions to look inside for labels and found nothing but I did notice that they weren't all stuffed the same. Some had orange yellow foam and others had bating wrapped in gauze.

 

[dhermann1]

60's or 70's.

 

[MarieAnne]

Thanks dhermann!

 

[MariantheLibrarian]

Bumping this again to ask if anyone has suggestions for how to remove old candlewax from wood veneer? I rescued a 40s fall front vanity from the dumpster about a decade ago, and while I think I might be able to repair/restore the rest of the heavy damage (split veneer, deep scratches, etc) I'm stumped about the candlewax. It feels like it's melted into the original finish, if that makes sense, and is resisting being chipped off.

 

[bunnyb.gal]

I wonder if the ice trick would work, followed by some judicious scraping and rubbing with a soft cloth...

 

[Mike in Seattle]

I've also heard that a cloth with boiling water on it will soften and remove most, if not all, of the wax.

 

[scotrace]

Warm iron over a paper towel. Keep going till it melts and the towel pulls it up.

 

[scotrace]

I've also heard that a cloth with boiling water on it will soften and remove most, if not all, of the wax.

Hot water on the finish is risky. Might end up with a big white blotch which is much harder to remove than wax.

 

[MariantheLibrarian]

Thank you for the suggestions, ladies and gentlemen. This piece was a casualty of college moveout day, and it was pretty badly treated before it was dumped. I'm planning way in advance so I can tackle the project over summer vacation, but I think just getting the wax off right now would make me really happy.

 

[sheeplady]

I've had luck with the ice trick (put it in a plastic bag or waterbottle) and using a (very sharp) razor blade or a very thin putty knife. You very need to be very careful with the blade/knife, and go level with the piece (and not dig down into the finish). I'd try the putty knife before the razor.

If the ice/blade/knife doesn't work, you could always try a paint scraper. If the finish is good and solid underneath (and wasn't damaged by the wax), and you take your time, you most likely can get the wax off without damaging the finish. I've actually taken paint off furniture using a scraper without damaging the finish (they never sanded or prepped the piece before painting it a hideous color, I was able to touch up the finish with some Old English Dark Oil.) Either of these routes can be risky, you could damage the finish, but if you can't get the wax up you are going to need to refinish anyways.

 

[Foofoogal]

Warm iron over a paper towel. Keep going till it melts and the towel pulls it up.

I concur. Something cotton you do not want will also work. Medium heat then move around to new area as one part gets absorbed on the cotton.

 

[MarieAnne]

Flea Market Find

I found this at my local flea market. They were asking $40. I didn't pick it up because I don't have room. Should I make room? Anyone willing to convince my husband that we need this piece?

 

[David Conwill]

I didn't realize this thread was still going on so strong!

I found this at my local flea market. They were asking $40. I didn't pick it up because I don't have room. Should I make room? Anyone willing to convince my husband that we need this piece?

That is very cool, but... What is it? Regardless, I could definitely find a use for it if it were in my house. Especially at that price.

BTW, in case anyone was wondering, the original desk and its matching chair are now what I use at work. I never did any refinishing, just got a writing pad. I've kind of grown attached to the "used-as-a-workbench" look.

-Dave

 

[MarieAnne]

Thanks David! I think it's a hutch. The paint job is very odd. I think it may be an uncompleted refurbishing attempt. I'm still looking for a place to put it.