Should I even bother?

DLM2000-GW

13 years ago

Picked up this small chest of drawers curbside from a woman I know from the gym. She says it belonged to her DH's grandmother - he doesn't want it, it was supposed to go to his daughter but she doesn't want it. They put it at the curb 2 days ago but no one picked it up. When I went to see it I knew immediately why - it's been in water and smells WAY beyond musty.

Is it even worth tackling? The size and shape are nice - it's the kind of thing you could use as an end table. I don't have an immediate use for it and I JUST had that big garage sale to clean out the attic from all the furniture I'd collected over the years - so here I go again.

Where would you start if you took this on? More to the point *would* you take this on? I've done refinishing and repair on junky little pieces I've found over the years but I've never tackled water damage like that.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to more pictures and detail

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Comments (14)

nhb22
13 years ago
Looks along the lines of my chest - an 1880's Cherry Eastlake Victorian.

Sorry that I don't have a better.
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lindac
13 years ago
It's a nice old oak chest of drawers...
Wipe it with mineral spirits, sand it ( no patina left to save there) stain it and varnish...or poly or lacquer...
Put a thinned down shellac on all exposed wood and any odor is gone.
The brasses will even polish up!!
As Martha says..."It's a good thing!".LOL!
Linda C
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megs2
13 years ago
I see potential. If I had the time I would give it a try.
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DLM2000-GW
Original Author
13 years ago
NHB - it may be a VERY humble version of what you have - your pieces is gorgeous!

Linda - couple of questions..... you're saying to sand the water damaged areas? I haven't poked at them yet so I'm not sure they could even stand up to sanding, but I'll see. And about the thinned down shellac - you say on all exposed wood, but do you mean interior surfaces only? I'm assuming once shellaced, I can't stain or apply another finish on top so shouldn't shellac any exterior surfaces?
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lindac
13 years ago
Stain and varnish....or whatever....those surfaces that show....but to kill any musty smell....make sure all interior and bottom surfaces are sealed.
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notitfortat
13 years ago
Great find. Should make for a great project if you decide to tackle it. Might not be in the best of shape as of late but with a little time and minimal expense, you could have that piece looking great. I hope you post pics of the finished product. Good luck.
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Fori
13 years ago
Are half the drawer pull upside down? Hehe. I dunno. It won't be easy but it does have potential. I've been assured by my New Orleans family that solid wood dries out just fine if given the chance. The broken cross piece can probably be glued and although the bottom trim looks a little mangled, it won't show too badly.

You might never want to keep clothes in there, but it IS cute. And c'mon--it's orphaned!
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User
13 years ago
It sat in a spot that was repeatedly wet and dry for too long - such as a basement that sometimes flooded.

This is a good piece for learning more advanced repairs on ... let it air out, and take the drawers and frame apart and re-glue the joints. Replace the bottom of the drawers, etc.

Replace the back with fresh boards or even plywood, add a molding. corner blocks and bun feet to cover the damage to the sides and front.

Refinish to suit.

Not going to be nearly what it would have been if stored properly, but a useful decorative piece.
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DLM2000-GW
Original Author
13 years ago
oh lazygardens - you have nailed my fear and outlined more than I want to tackle, I'm afraid. This has been sitting outside in pieces for almost 2 days now - bright sun both days so it's getting a good airing and drying.

With a little work it may be good as a storage piece in the new garden shed we are planning. But I'm not going to tackle a re-make on this - my project list is already a mile long.

If I can get it stabilized, the drawers all working properly and the odor contained with some shellac, I'll probably do a paint wash on it and call it done.
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igloochic
13 years ago
You don't need to shellac it if you're going to paint it, and actually that might make the paint not take. Let it dry well, for some period of time, then prime well with a sealing primer (Sherwin williams makes one) and paint. It would be a cute rustic piece for your garden room. If the grain has been raised due to the water issues be sure to sand those down first before you prime.
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DLM2000-GW
Original Author
13 years ago
igloo the shellac would be in the insides of the drawers and the inside of the cabinet itself as a means to seal in the smell - it's seriously smelly. Paint would be exterior only.

That's if I do anything with it at all. My DH is thinking I have multiple screws loose.
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lindac
13 years ago
class that cute little chest up and he will change his mind!
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sunnyca_gw
13 years ago
If you have a small power sander I think I would use it on inside as that is pretty ugly & it would also help get rid of smell. Do it outside & wear a mask or hankie over your nose to keep out that old stripper or whatever it is. I think I would use a sander on the back also. Be sure to go with grain of the wood. I usually hand sand but this is more than a light sanding job on the inside! Take hardware off & clean up with Brass -O It will take some rubbing. They should look great!
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pinch_me
13 years ago
I heard putting coffee grounds in the drawers would take the smell away. I tried it on a piece not quite as bad as yours. Didn't work.
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Should I even bother?

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nhb22

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