Restoring without Refinishing: an Antique Chest - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine revitalizes a worn antique Victorian blanket chest, without undertaking a full refinishing. Tom has been restoring furniture professionally since 1979. Visit our website at www.thomasjohns..., or write us at thomasjohnsonrestoration@gmail.com. And for those on the west coast looking for custom framing, be sure to check out Tom's daughter's shop, www.emcollier.com (@emcollierframes on Instagram).
So sorry on the loss of Ella. Loved seeing her pop up in the videos. You are a true master at your craft.
Thank you
You are so incredible and loving in every step you take. Thank you for showing America how to slow down. Love all your opening & closing vignettes.
Thanks! That's nice
This what I was looking for... Thank you. Although I could refinish, I just wanted to clean and polish things I had from my family. Great video, thank you.
You're welcome!
Very cool. Dog interest was lovely. The way the chest came back to it's own, even better. Well done, keep them coming! Please!
+Shane Fitzhenry Thanks! I will!
Hey Thomas, that came out stunning, that cedar really ate up that polish. Those handles are awesome, what a find. Hope you show the top being done and reattached. Thanks for sharing this. I enjoy all your videos, the fix and repair is so rewarding especially when you step back and look at the end results. New life for a quality piece.
+billfromelma Thank you!
this channel deserves more subscribers ....Your restoration is excellent
+Marcel Spamer Thanks! as far as subscribers go: share! share! share!
Gorgeous!!
Thanks Valerie!
Hi Tom, haven't checked in for a while but am so happy to be back and to see your bonny face while revisiting wood cleaning and polishing tips. This time I'm writing those tips down in my household notebook so that I don't forget, and the title of the page is 'Tom Johnson Recommends'
Thanks! My face has never been described as bonny before! I hope that’s a good thing!
To Mr Thomas Johnson Esquire: I love your passion and skill. People like yourself are caretakers and preservers of history. It's an important job and highly skilled one. Preserving our past and history is very important, it's great to see old furniture and items people would discard or leave to decay in attics being lovingly restored by skilled hands and brought back to their original appearance. Ahhh his friendly companion the dog is showing an interest and looks like he wants to help out if he could!
These storage chests seem to be an American thing. I've never come across them here in England before, and I've been collecting and admiring antiques for decades.
Why do American's refer to antiques as Victorian? I guess the Victorian-era is well known worldwide, but I would assume American's having gained independence from Great Britain would adopt their own antique-era names, like this is a Civil War era piece or pre-Civil war colonial era etc.
It amazes me that many wooden colonial-era houses are still a common site in US today and well maintained. In contrast to the UK, very few buildings exist from the American colonial era except large stately homes, ancient churches and cathedrals and occasionally an old inn or pub that's been refurbished.
I collect antiques, with an extensive collective and even have a few American items in my collection..including a 19th century silver drinking mug with engraved detail depicting an eagle! I'm guessing it's circa 1880-1890's..I also have a silver one dollar with JFK's head on it, which is oddly upside down, maybe to signify his death? as it was minted atfer his death around 1972.
Thanks Paul! Yes, well said. I've often wondered about the naming system also. But most people get the era's mixed up. Here in New England there are so many old buildings - our house was built in 1771, and the majority of it has not been changed
Nice work. Your dog seemed to look at each feature as you spoke. Clearly he has some knowledge on this subject too.
+phooesnax Thanks! Dogs know a lot! I wonder what's going through her mind?
She looks like a very nice girl. A good dog is a joy.
I always try to be the person my dog thinks I am.
I always enjoy seeing new videos from you, please keep up doing this :)
+Jan M. Thanks! I intend to!
Beautiful work, and thank you for sharing your process
You're welcome!
BEAUTIFUL PLACE THOM..... Great job!
Thank you very much! And the best Holiday Wishes to you and your family!
@@johnsonrestoration Best holidays for you and your family! Mani thanks!!!!
@@johnsonrestoration Happy New Year!!!!!!
Beautiful work 😍
Thank you! 😊
I am so glad I found your channel!!!! I have a chair that I want to do this exact thing to and a table that I'm sure your other videos will help me out with. Thank you!!!
+Chevas Hefflinger You're welcome and good luck!
Very nice result!
+Harry Newell Thanks!
Your videos rock. Excellent work sir!
Thank you!
@@johnsonrestoration what cleaning solution you recommend for antique furniture?
Make a polstice by saturating sawdust or flour with your solvent, or try a wad of cotton. Apply it to the painted area, seal it with foil taped in place and wait. That way you’ll be saturating the area and minimizing evaporation, while possibly reducing the need for as much abrasion.
You could experiment with a paint-splattered board to judge the time required, which will likely vary with the type of paint. Presumably, you have experience with the solvent not affecting the finishes you encounter.
Thanks! That's a good idea, I can see where that would be tough to do on vertical surfaces, but maybe tape them in place. I'll try it
Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
Very good videos. A pleasure to watch.
Use a cap, lid or other suitable mold to form a cup from heavy aluminum foil. Leave a border wide enough to tape over, or just tape an X over it. If using a lid, put the foil inside.
Load the reservoir with polstice and attach. Should remain in place on vertical surfaces. I believe that giving the solvent more time to soak is key, so be patient. For saturating large horizontal surfaces, apply solvent, maybe a layer of gauze to retain extra solvent, and cover with sheet(s) of foil to reduce evaporation. Plastic wrap might work too.
E.g., I once helped my sister remove 6 layers of wallpaper. Her hubby had rented a steam generating tool. It was useless. Instead, I suggested really really saturating the surface with hot water, vinegar, and detergent, letting chemistry do the work. It was messy, required several applications of the solution as it soaked in, but it loosened all 6 layers. Were we to do it again, I’d suggest taping off and protecting the hw moulding and floor, and using a garden sprayer in place of a sponge.
This is just what I needed. I bought an antique bed from an estate that needs cleaned. It came out of a nasty home but is so beautiful and I got a great deal on it. Any specific recommendations for cleaning the head funk from the headboard? Maybe Dawn will do.? Also, any specific ways to get years of cigarette smoke from the wood or is that just stuck?
Thanks for watching! Dawn will work, I also really like Krud Kutter. The smoke will come off! Head funk and hand funk usually will not come off until you're down to the bare wood. Take it off carefully, then seal that area with some finish
Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration - much appreciated sir!
Very helpful. Thank you
You're welcome!
As others commented, great to see Ella, the cardinal and the cat! Fantastic repair as always, very simple but yet powerful! In a future video, could you address antiques that have split (I have a dresser from the 1880's(?), the top split clean), the best way to fix and maintenance, I'm sure the wood is dry, I'm sure I need to apply tung oil(?). Also could you address patina? I always hear the patina is desired and makes the item worth more, I have some antiques I'd like to clean but uncertain because I don't want them to lose value, I have no desire to sale as the are family heirlooms but wouldn't mind them displaying nice.
+Vintage Electronics Geek Hi, thanks for watching. Check out my video "Restoring an Italian Server" where I address a cracked top. I'm always concerned with trying to save the patina. It can be difficult when a piece is in desperate need of refinishing. Often in my videos you'll see that I carefully strip something, and then sand it as little as possible so as not to change the look. All we can do is keep trying!
Nice..you mentioned using "the oil and beeswax polish"; is this a homemade mixture or a commercial product?
+goodbloomgirl Hi, it's Howard's Feed N Wax - widely available
beautiful! Thank you for the instructions! ;)
You're welcome!
Suppose you tried to revive a finish with wax like you show here, but then (oh no!) decide it really needed some color work after all. So, now you need to be able to apply dyes, toners, etc. How would you remove the wax that was just applied and how thoroughly must you get it all off? Would you start with a coat of shellac no matter what, just in case some wax was missed? Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Thanks! Yes, remove the wax, first some paint thinner, then Mohawk Wax Wash Remover. Then proceed with the color work, but now, if that area is different, the piece might need more than just the Howard's wax. maybe a harder paste wax
Could you demonstrate how to possibly fix cat scratches on wood furniture. Thanks and looks good.
+Rebecca Valentine You're welcome! Actually fixing scratches is difficult. Mostly you're just trying to hide them. It's a good suggestion, I'll start looking for a piece that's right for a video just on scratches. I'm planning on making more task specific videos
+Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration thank you. I have an old piece not sure the date and it has some scratches. I will send you a pic of the piece and how I tried to hide/fix them. :)
Question about the lid and hinges: Do you ever glue the hinges to the wood as a backup for old screws that may no longer grip as well, or are missing (if you can't find suitable replacements)? I assume a large lid like that requires some sturdy support, and old screws in worn-out holes from years of opening and closing likely doesn't fit the bill any longer.
No, I've never glued the hinge. I just try to rebuild or replace the worn parts.
I put toothpicks into enlarged screw holes. Works like a charm!
Question: Would you ever “clean” and wax the interior of a piece of wood furniture like this chest or does leaving one side unfinished help the wood breath ?
Thanks for watching. The wood doesn't need to breathe, but it's always better if both sides of a piece of wood were sealed the same so as it takes on and gives up moisture with the seasons it does so evenly. Helps prevent warping
This is great! Can you tell me again what you used for the cleaning process? How much water, bleach, and what was the powder and where can I get some?
Also? What do you do with a trunk with leather straps? Thanks!
Thanks for watching! I dilute household bleach 1 part bleach, 10 parts water. The powder I think you're refering to is oxalic acid, you can find it online, try Hood Finishing. 1/8 cup to a quart of hot water. Treat the leather along with everything else, cleaning, etc., but then oil it with neat's foot oil.(you can get it at the hardware store) Good luck!
Thanks!
The cleaning process not only enhances the old trunk it looked like it was providing you with a good work out? I know this is an old video, but have you ever done a video on how you make your own wax polish.....or is the recipe a trade secret? Anyways, it turned out well.
Thanks! I've been using Howard's Feed N Wax www.howardproducts.com/product/feed-n-wax-wood-polish-and-conditioner/. It's great stuff!
Great job! Do you ever use the furniture touch up markers/pens to touch up small areas? I love those, myself. I’m not sure how well they hold up over time though.
Thanks Sherry! Definitely! You'll see me using them in my videos.I see no reason they wouldn't hold up just fine.
I've got a restoration question I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on...
I have a delightful Victorian breakfast table circa 1885-ish...it's one of those round tables with two drop-leafs on castors. Flame maghony wood. It's got no signs of wood worm and is structurally sound, however the table top has some marks on it and some water or liquid spill damage to the surface.
I have no experience restoring antique furniture and this job is probably best left to a professional antiques restorer, however the table isn't worth much (bought for £350-£450) to justify the high cost of professional restoration.
It's a shame to lose the lovely patina it has acquired over 150 years but it does need restoration to make it a presentable usuable table again. So really preserving its antique value and patina is not that important. That said, I obviously don't want to make a hash of it and make it any worse than it is already, ie a top surface that ends up looking completely out of keeping with the rest of the table.
With restoration of antique wooden furniture I've read the general rule of thumb is go slowly, do the minimum you need to do and use the right chemicals/products.
So with a task like this as a rookie, where does anyone recommend I start, and does anyone have any tips and do's and don't's? Just taking the surface varnish off and a fresh varnishing maybe all that's needed to dramatically improve it whilst preserving the original appearance? Using any kind of abrasive on it (ie fine grade sand-paper) I guess would be a big no no, as although it would provide a nicer more even finish and surface, that would likely totally ruin the original appearance of the table and make the surface look different to the rest of the table as the wood would need colour matched staining again etc.
Any suggestions or help would be much appreciated! I can upload and share some photos with links if anyone wants to see it.
Hi Paul, send me some photos, maybe I can help. thomasjohnsonrestoration@gmail.com
Is it okay to use modern wood glue - just like elmers wood glue, on antique wood? Im getting ready to do my first big project and I will have to take apart the whole piece and put it back together, but Im worried about the effects of modern glue on finishes. When I first started, I used super glue to glue on some tiny pieces of a very old french crucifix and the finish seems to melt off and I believe it even effected the wood. Since then, I have been worried about using any modern chemicals.
Thanks! Yes, it's fine to use regular wood glue. If a glue is water soluble it won't affect the finsh
@@johnsonrestoration ty
Wonderful to watch. How would you address a piece that would lose value if cleaned? Antique dealers lose it when a period piece has been cleaned as it will go down in value considerably. Thoughts?
Thanks! I have a lot of thoughts about that, but the reality is that most of the pieces I work on that's not a consideration. If you go to a fine arts museum that has a furniture collection you will see that all the pieces have been completely restored. It really depends on how it is done.
Look after that Lab, he is your biggest fan.
I know! And I will! She’s my girl
Sorry Girl@@johnsonrestoration
Hi please help me. I have an old imbuia lounge set. It has layers of polish on it. How do I remove it and restore it? Please reply. South-africa.
Hi! Send me an email with some photos, maybe I can help. thomasjohnsonrestoration@gmail.com
Super
Thanks!
Tom, I cleaned a mid-century table using a tsp solution and it came up very nice, but I noticed a channel that is part of the design between 2 pieces of wood. Cleaned with a brush as you said. Would that have been slightly filled with wax at the time it was made? Have seen these before.
Thanks! If it's part of the design, it should not be filled. If there is a gap where 2 pieces meet, I will usually leave it, unless it's very unsitely. If it's part of the design it definitely should not be filled. Good luck!
Curious what oil/bees wax polish you are using?
Thanks! Howard's Feed N Wax, widely available
Do you have any vids repairing and restoring a cedar chest? Wondering if you would replace cracked boards or try to re-glue them if all the pieces are there? Seems it would be hard to get a match if replacing them or even to completely build a new top of it’s the lid that has multiple cracks...
That's always a tough one. With out seeing it, it's difficult to say. If the cracks won't come together, what I've done in the past is cut super thin wedge shape pieces of the same species, thin enough to be flexible and glue them into the cracks, then sand and refinish
Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration ok thanks for answering this and my other questions! I appreciate it!
You're welcome! You can always email questions with photos too. thomasjohnsonrestoration@gmail.com
Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
That’s great! I’ve always got questions. Let me know when we’re close enough buddies to message through text or messenger🤷♂️... In the meantime I’ll stick to email. Either way I appreciate it!
try to re glue them and i would sand the inside cedar boards when done to bring back the smell of the cedar.
Did it never have a lid?
Thanks! Yes, didn't I show that?
really Wonder how are you going to do this .
Thanks! I hope it works for you!
What is the cleaning solution? Have an antique spinning wheel to clean up. Thanks.
Thanks! Start with something really mild, like Murphy's Oil soap. If it's really grimy, use a cleaner like Krud Kutter, use sparingly
@@johnsonrestoration thanks so much. I want to bring her back alive again !!
I watched you video on how to clean the antique chest. I have my grandmother’s Lane white Birch cedar chest and would like to clean it and polish it. Please tell me the items that you used and the cleaning cloths so that I can mine mine. Thank You very much. I’m taking the 5 handles off also. How do I clean those? Thank You
Hi Catherine! I use Krud Kutter to clean. Polish with Howard's Feed N Wax. I use brass cleaners like Brasso
@@johnsonrestoration I appreciate your response to me So very much. I wish I could send you a picture of my chest. There’s a story behind it😍 Again, Thank You and God’s Blessings 🙏🏾
@@johnsonrestoration Do you mind if I send you a picture of my cedar chest for clarity. There are nicks on the chest , not sure how to fix it. Thank You
Thank you for the video! What is tsp?
You're welcome! Trisodium Phosphate, very common cleaner
Any certain brand of oil and beeswax polish? Is that a mixture of your own or did you purchase?
Hi, I use Howard's Feed N Wax www.howardproducts.com/product/feed-n-wax-wood-polish-and-conditioner/
What is the?
Isn't TSP a little harsh for wood?
Thanks! It could be if mixed too strong. I mix it pretty light, 1/8 cup to a gallon of water
@@johnsonrestoration Thx! And what oil did you use with the bees wax? And why did you use the brillo pad instead of a sponge to apply the polish?
TSP?
Thanks! Trisodium Phosphate - at your local hardware store
Sorry what is TSB?
Thanks! It's TSP, trisodium phosphate. A great cleaning agent, available at any hardware store
Hello Tom, I know you do 99% wood work but I am trying to figure out how to patch a trunk that had canvas all over it. If you ever get the chance to demo that, I would truly appreciate it!
Hi, thanks for watching! I would patch canvass exactly the way I do veneer. Strip off the old, clean the surface, Roll out Elmer's white glue, let it get tacky, put down the canvas, smoothing it out until it grabs solidly, trim the edges with a new blade on your utility knife. Try it! That's why you use water soluble glue!
I have a can of Tung oil and a new antique book case ( Globe Wernicke and Co.) with a similar finish to this chest, can I rub it with this to shine it up? It’s pretty clean.
Yes, it should be fine. I might apply and rub it on with 0000 steel wool, then pad it with a cloth
That Cardinal was great at the beginning, but I really got a kick out of your dog, it was like he understood every thing you were saying.
+billfromelma I believe she does!
What is tic?
Thanks! Do you mean TSP? Trisodium phosphate. A cleaner you get at the hardware store
what is TSC
TSP
Do you have any idea what might be stored in a chest like that? Seems too big for a clothes hamper.....
No, I don't really. I have one that's even larger! Not very practical, it's hard to get to the clothes on the bottom
People in the ancient times n even now a days use them as lockers that u can hide ur precious things from theives in bottom n they think it is an only clothes closet 😊my own family has bt that's also has a cover n lock.
Sir i came into possession of 2 beautiful camphor wood chests they are dirty and needing some help. I dont want to ruin them but cant find specific info for care of camphor wood. Mom suggested Murphy's wood soap then urethane them. Is this ok to do?
Hi Megan. I would wash them with something stronger, but the Murphys should be OK. Be careful, one side at a time starting from the bottom up. I would sand the interior a bit to bring up the camfor smell, and leave it like that. For the outside I would give it one coat of shellac (Zinserr Universal Sanding Sealer), and then wax it using 0000 steel wool and a hard wax like Bowling Alley Wax. But the satin urethane would work. It's just personal taste
What is the TSP?
Thanks! Tri Sodium Phosphate - it's with the cleaning supplies at the hardware store
So many people absolutely ruin beautiful antiques by sanding and aggressive methods. Sometimes, you go into a antiques store and there are 100-year-old pieces refinished to the point of almost looking new - which is so sad. Of course, some pieces are in such terrible shape one has to strip and sand. But even that can be done to look more subtle. The worst thing is when an old piece has been completely refinished with a high gloss polyurethane topcoat.
Thanks! Yes, I know. There are a lot of shops that basically do the same thing to every piece: strip, sand, one of 3 stains and top coat! It can be difficult sometimes to get the right balance
HI, I live in Argentina, and I haven't been able to get that furniture polish you use. I'd like to make some for myself and I was thinking maybe 2 parts linseed oil and one part beeswax. Am I on the right track? Thanks and regards
+RobertoDonatti Hi Roberto, I've never tried to make polish. I think you're on the right track, but I would guess that you'd need something to thin it out like mineral spirits, but the smell? Try oderless paint thinner but I know it has a longer drying time. Let me know how it works. Can you get Howard's Feed N Wax over the internet? Will they ship to you?
Unrelated: do you know Andres de Silva? I'm not sure where he lives. Long shot, I know. Thanks
what is tsp
Thanks! Trisodium Phosphate, a cleaner you get at the hardware store
What is tsp?
Thanks! Tri Sodium Phosphate - a cleaning agent - available at your local hardware store
Looks nice but TSP is toxic. Any safer alternatives?
Thanks for watching, and your comment. I didn't know that it's toxic, I'll have to look into that. Any cleaner will do, but I use TSP because it doesn't need to be rinsed off. I also use Dawn detergent.
Melody Fleck
TSP is a common food additive. Has been for a long time.
Just a heads up, youtube unsubscribed me from you QUITE a while ago apparently. I was just helping cleaning out a 100 year old woman's house and was given two peices of furniture for my work and came to see what videos you had on the topic.
Thanks! UA-cam changed it's notification for subscribers. I think you have to check your subscription page
What is the tool on you right hip? How did you get the lock to work so you can open the lid?
Thanks! It's a utility knife that my daughter made for me, one of my most favorite things. I didn't get the lock to work, but I was able to partially disassemble the back and unscrew the hinges, and lift the lid enough to unscrew the lock
You should show us the knife! Would love to see it.
There was a cache of money, Tom's just keeping it a secret.
DB Cooper would know all about that! I am always hopeful!
I was able to purchase your favourite bees wax polish in Germany. I like it very much, as you do. But it is more solid than yours. How can i make it thinner?
Great! First try warming it up a bit? in some hot water. Other wise you could add some paint thinner (mineral spirits)
@@johnsonrestoration Thank you for your advice. I will try that... you are right, it was litte bit cold in my garage this days....
Hey, love your channel, am in the process of restoring an old oak chest, however both the lock and the hinges are too rusted to be of any use (old style hinges with two eye loops making each hinge) is it worth just taking these off and finding something similar or adding some more modern hinges and a modern box lock?
Thanks! I would replace them, and try to find matching pieces. try: www.houseofantiquehardware.com/, also Van Dykes www.vandykes.com/
@@johnsonrestoration thanks for the quick response, you said replace them However the lock is easy to replace but the hinges go through the top and removing them will be very tricky without ruining the piece, any recommendations ? I can send you photos via WhatsApp if you're struggling to understand +447455105971
How much is a "scoch"?
Good question! It could be a Japanese word, I'm not sure!
Is there another cleaner besides TSP that you would recommend? I want to clean some paint spots off an 100yr old oak table i have but TSP is not available in my region
Thanks! For paint spots I use Goof Off, or if that's not doing it, Goo Gone goofoffproducts.com/products/
Not a good enough reason to say impregnated, but it does look nice
Thanks!
Mildew is a fungus that only becomes temporarily “blonde” when you bleach it. An anti fungal spray would be better. Otherwise lovely work.
Thanks! Yes, a lot of people have recommended white vinegar, so I've been using that
UA-cam has created an entire generation of dogs who are confused as to who their owner is talking to during the video making process. "surely you must be talking to me? Of course I'd like a treat? Where's the belly rub?"
Thanks! Actually, there is no confusion - she knows exactly who has treats in their pocket!
Dog Johnson sighting 2:05
You bet!
"scosche" :)
Skosh! My father in law always said that, they lived in Japan immediately after WWII. I assumed it was a Japanese word, which it is. But when I moved to New England I heard a lot of people using it. Pretty widespread
Arent you going to introduce us to your buddy? Lol
Thanks! Yes,that's Ella Bean, official shop dog!
THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD AND JUST LEAVE IT ALONE,,,,,,,,,,REMEMBER THAT ITS AN ANTIQUE
Thank you!
TFJFOURWINDS
I don't think the paint drips were antique.
Compared to other Americans on UA-cam this guy is extremely sympathetic with his restorations.
You mean keep letting it rot in the basement and not actually make it useable? Because without restoration, that's what would happen to pieces like this. It's not a Chippendale dresser; it's a lovely, common handmade blanket chest that will now give whole new generations use and enjoyment.
What is tsp?
Thanks! Tri Sodium Phosphate, available in all hardware stores