question about old floor lamp and cleaning finish
User
15 years ago
I saw Marita's post and thought I would see what some of you think. I got this for $8 and have seen them restored. I thought I would try my inexperienced hand. I have not posted here much but am hoping for your advice. I am going to rewire and found what I need at Paxton's website. I have cleaned so far with very fine steel wool and Pam. That worked well. I then used Brasso. This is where I am so far. A magnet does stick. Thanks in advance, Caroline
have done nothing to this area:
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (12)
User
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Lots of questions about this very old entry bench
Comments (19)Hi Barb, what a great piece for your entryway! I love the history and the style of the bench. Here's my thoughts on your questions: Mirror - I personally don't think it fits. IMHO the mirror looks too modern for it. Living in cold country, I'd take my que from that bench and make that area a quaint "mud room" space with coat hooks, a nice rug and an umbrella bin. Back of Bench - I like the idea of matching the bottom but think that it could get a little busy. I might opt for something a bit more plain that sort of mimics the back of a pew bench or has just some block trim to frame it. A nice seat cushion would be pretty. Clean up - As far as the character of the piece goes, I think that's really a personal choice and how well it fits into the space. It seems like if you're going to add a back to it, you'll need to sand the whole thing and re-stain it so the woods match but how much of the character you sand off is really just a matter of what you like. If you decide you want to leave it in it's rougher condition, you could distress the new wood you use for a backing some so it matches. On the other hand, I found these great inspirations as well to give you some ideas they all have something that could be incorporated into the bench: https://www.houzz.com/photos/beach-style-entry-beach-style-entry-boston-phvw-vp~34472-Hill-Rhode-Island-Residence-traditional-entry-boston http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/_images/portfolio/sarahs-house/laundry-mud-room/image2.jpg http://www.renovationdesigngroup.com/images/portfolio/13/Mudroom%20-%20After.jpg...See MoreOld pine floor questions: need advice on treatment/stain/finish! Thx!
Comments (20)I don't think people are insulting you. Take or not take their advice, it's based in their experience with wood floors and personal taste and preference. Not personal to you. I had the same problem with my pine wood floors. Didn't like the look of the poly with its tone but learned to live with it. It's expensive to treat wood floors and I had trouble finding a good person to work with redoing mine. Then, with the downstairs flooring, while waiting for the several floor refinishers to call me back, I had an epiphany . . . wax. Ye olde Johnson's paste wax. Rub it on, buff, happy for the rest of the year. It's just as good as the poly, and doesn't have to be sanded off if there's something you don't like about it. That was how they did it in the old days and it ain't broke IMHO and it ain't in need of fixing. So much easier and warmer, even than the low shine poly finishes. I had poly upstairs and wax downstairs. Much preferred the wax . . . Mind you I'm no perfectionist and didn't have dogs....See Moreold floor lamp: what, when, and huh?
Comments (32)Thanks all! Michael, your lamp has the normal, sensible shade system and it seems that style was popular for at least 50 years. I guess it technically takes 2 shades but they are still available. Well, at least mine takes normal lightbulbs. :) BB, I'm not sure what a lamp shop would do with it! I can look around for some restorers though, although it's not worth restoring unless I can find a shade. The shade made it. I WOULD like to know what the metal is supposed to look like. The lamp is in pieces right now and mostly cleaned. The bits are all plated and lacquered. I assume it's not chrome because you don't bother lacquering chrome. And I'm quite sure it's nitrocellulose lacquer. (I've delacquered enough brass instruments from this era.) I do have to do the pole still. That'll be a bathtub job. And this is why every home needs a tub, even if everyone showers....See Morequestion about deep cleaning after hardwoods are redone
Comments (4)@millworkman and @g&sfloorservice Thank you so much. You take the time to respond to so many posts on this board and your responses are always so thoughtful, respectful and on point....See Moredamascusannie
15 years agolindac
15 years agoUser
15 years agoThanks linda and annie I had the SF here and just used it. It turned out fine. Not the same as the original but better than what I did to it. I now know to never use anything but oil and fine steel wool...that gave the prettiest finish. Live and learn. Here is how it looks now. It is really hard to get a good pic.
lindac
15 years agoUser
15 years agodamascusannie
15 years agoUser
15 years agosmurch3_yahoo_com
13 years agoglendarewis_yahoo_com
12 years agolindac
12 years ago
Related Stories
GREEN BUILDINGConsidering Concrete Floors? 3 Green-Minded Questions to Ask
Learn what’s in your concrete and about sustainability to make a healthy choice for your home and the earth
Full Story
ORGANIZINGPre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store
Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?
Full Story
FURNITUREOld Furniture: Clean, Reupholster or Replace It?
A veteran upholstery cleaner weighs in on the options for found, inherited and thrift store furniture
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESHouzz Tour: Much to Like About This Traditional Beauty
New elements mix well with old in a New Jersey family’s elegant and comfortable colonial revival home
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDES9 Hard Questions to Ask When Shopping for Stone
Learn all about stone sizes, cracks, color issues and more so problems don't chip away at your design happiness later
Full Story
MOST POPULAR19 Kitchen Projects Every Homeowner Should Know About
Could your kitchen use a new sink, a backsplash, updated hardware, better organization, a good cleaning? Here's how to get started
Full Story
LIGHTING5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting
Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESConsidering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First
Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features
Full Story
EXTERIORSCurb Appeal Feeling a Little Off? Some Questions to Consider
Color, scale, proportion, trim ... 14 things to think about if your exterior is bugging you
Full Story
MOST POPULAR8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer
Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start
Full Story
lindac