Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Question for the hive mind:

I have been given this desk for my painting, modelling etc. I'm in two (three?) minds whether I should attempt to smarten it up.

(http://kiwidave.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/135257379/Desk%20exterior.jpg)

(http://kiwidave.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/135257382/Desk%20interior.jpg)


It's not the most well-made desk, and quite clearly past it's prime. I can't open the central door without forcing it as I don't have a key.

If I do tart it up, I'm leaning towards stripping out the internal drawers, and painting the exterior matt/satin black so that it matches the rather nice computer desk I've bought from Ikea. I'd do the interior on off-white, or possibly light grey.

Restoring it to its wood finish would be the most effort, and I'm no cabinet maker...

Over to you, gentlemen.

I assume it still has some laquer on top?

You could try to paint it with a dark pigmented laquer. So you would not need to sand it at all.

And I'd probably pick the locks open and remove them alltogether and just glue the face back after painting.

I'd definately try to touch it up, it has a certain mystique to it!

I'd got for it, keeping the natural colour. It'll take some sanding and then a coat to finish off but the effort will be worth it.

Sand, wax, or sell to my wife for her furniture restoration projects!  ;)

https://salvagedinspirations.com/5-ways-to-paint-furniture-without-sanding/

Some great ways to avoid sanding

I'd give it a coat/s of Danish oil, to help restore the wood and give it a nice finish. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. You can then wax over the top should you want to.

Speak to an expert. But that's too handsome to go to waste.

I like the matt black idea, but then I was a Goth briefly in the 80s  :)

Cheers
Ian

Goths couldn't have produced much black cloth, if a recent debate got it right.

I think you should pick the lock on that door...There might be something interesting hidden in there.

Cheers - Phil

I am all for the practical solution. It's not the most spectacular desk, and it should fit with the other furniture, so just paint it black.

Quote from: Steve J on 31 August 2019, 09:31:20 PM
I'd give it a coat/s of Danish oil, to help restore the wood and give it a nice finish. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. You can then wax over the top should you want to.

Yup. Wot Mr J said.

Cheers guys - given me something to think about :)

[Knowing me, I'll agonise over it for another month before making a decision...]

Quote from: FierceKitty on 01 September 2019, 01:05:30 AM
Goths couldn't have produced much black cloth, if a recent debate got it right.

That's why I stopped being a Goth - I ran out of cloth  ;)

Cheers
Ian

And why Swedes are so often nudists these days.

If it were my desk I'd probably strip the bugger then use a teak varnish or stain.

Two points grabbed my attention first;

has a it a rarity value, i.e. does it 'deserve' to be restored for its own sake?

how is that drop down flap supported. I know it is intended as a writing type desk, but will it take the rigours of a painting desk.

outside of all of that, as already suggested, I would lightly sand and then lightly rub in Danish Oil .... repeat etc. until the wood is fully fed, has a sheen and no raised (swollen) grain. There is a smell off Danish Oil.

Norm,

It has two arms that come out of the desk to support the flap. The flap itself will need a bit of work as the pieces of wood that constitute it are starting to part company.

The main drawback to any restorative work is that we are in an apartment, so nowhere convenient to sand or stink out with oils.

Apologies for the thread necromancy!

Desk now completed :D

Stripped the original varnish and sanded; then two coats of Jacobean Dark Oak wood dye, then two coats of lacquer/varnish. The metalwork polished up with liberal application of Brasso and elbow grease.
I've not done the internal drawers section (other than the door) as a) it would be fiddlier to strip, and b) look OK as is.

Before and After
(http://kiwidave.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/135257379/Desk%20exterior.jpg) (http://kiwidave.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/136300998/Desk%20exterior%20%28new%29.jpg)

(http://kiwidave.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/135257382/Desk%20interior.jpg) (http://kiwidave.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/136301001/Desk%20interior%20%20%28new%29.jpg)   

Drawers
I also lined the drawers with adhesive vinyl:
(http://kiwidave.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/136300995/Desk%20drawers.jpg)   

All I need now is my painting stuff to arrive and I'm all set :)

Very nicely done!

Superb work.
1:1 scale work is really hard.

 :-bd =D> :-bd =D>

Jolly nice, that.  :-bd

Time well spent, there. :)

Well done!

Really good job ! :-bd

Cheers - Phil

Nicely done, sir.

Good job, looks the part

Cheers guys. :)

It was an interesting exercise, and I'm sort of tempted to do it again to something else, but it will have to wait until we move to a house with a shed/garage to work in.

KD