Mcmahill51 Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 I salvaged this desk from the trash! Love rolltops. All I know is that it was purchased in Brazil about 30 Years ago. can you help identify wood? How would you refinish? Or would you refinish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 The wood looks like mahogany. Could be a thorough cleaning and some touch up would be all it needs. Or clean ,touch up and put a new coat of finish on the piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 I agree, clean it up a bit, it looks fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith.d.mullins Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 I think it is totally beyond repair. Ship it to my house and I will dispose of it for you at no charge. I also think it looks like Mahogany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcmahill51 Posted July 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 Wow, fast answers! Great forum! so now I show my ignorance; how do I clean up a bit, touch up, and or new coat of finish since I don't know what the finis is!? i have just retired and think I want to try woodworking! good idea or??? thanks much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 Try cleaning with a barely damp rag or old towel on an inconspicuous area. You can spray a very mild cleaner on the rag to clean then wipe with a clean section of the rag. Do not get the surface wet ! Barely damp only ! They sell different colored markers and wax sticks (crayons ) for furniture touch ups. Start with a lighter color and practice in an inconspicuous area. If a rag dampened with denatured alcohol affects the finish then it's shellac. If you try laquer thinner and the finish wipes off cleanly its Laquer. It the laquer thinner makes the finish wrinkle up it is probably some type of varnish. Be very cautious in an inconspicuous place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcmahill51 Posted July 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 Greatly appreciated!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcmahill51 Posted July 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2016 I will be testing finish today. However, several comments said to "touch up" and put on new finish. Do I assume the touch up is stain, and new finish is whatever I discover.er the finish to be? yes, I'm very new at this! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 30, 2016 Report Share Posted July 30, 2016 I don't see damage to the color in these photos. I would not use stain. Touch up might mean scuffing or buffing scratches. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcmahill51 Posted July 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2016 I don't know if you can see this picture well, but this is a drawe bottom and the black looking stuff in the top corner is waxy and I can scrape it off with fingernail. i also used some mineral spirits and the finish came off down to the stain. the reason I asked about stain is there ate ares where the wood shrunk leaving natural colors at edges. Again, thanks for every thing! Scott Sorry, forgot to include picture of where I rubbed with mineral spirits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 30, 2016 Report Share Posted July 30, 2016 A solid wood drawer bottom will expand and contract ,that's why it is floating in a groove and not glued in place. . Sometimes a panel can shift off of the original position and expose an unfinished edge. I would still clean the piece with mineral spirits and a cotton rag , old tee shirts work well . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 30, 2016 Report Share Posted July 30, 2016 Two things... Steve is dead on. If mineral spirits is pulling that much off, wipe the whole thing. After you wipe that bottom, do a test. Get a rattle can of shellac and spray a test on the bottom. You may be surprised at how much color is still there and will pop with a top coat. The fact that the drawer bottom is finished is a huge plus in this case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcmahill51 Posted July 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Do I need to sand lightly before I put on a new top coat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Scotch Brite and other brands of non woven abrasive pads come in different strengths . Green= very coarse Maroon= coarse Gray=medium White= fine I have used a gray pad carefully or a white pad to scuff the old finish before recoating. 320 grit sandpaper works too but whatever you use be very careful around the edges and corners !!!!! It is very easy to sand through to bare wood on corners & edges and touching up those is difficult ! Wipe the whole piece carefully to remove dust before applying a new top coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcmahill51 Posted August 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 can you suggest a top coat? thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 1, 2016 Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 I mostly spray a water bourne finish that's usually just sold to pro shops. But lots of the guys here swear by General Finishes Arm-R-Seal, it's a wipe on finish oil & varnish mixture. Search ARS to see application tips or just follow the directions on the can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 1, 2016 Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 ARS or Minwax wipe on poly would work great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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