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Debate: Should we strip antique pieces down to bare wood or preserve the old patina?
I was at a client's house last Tuesday in Richmond, VA sanding a 1920s oak buffet when I hit a stain that turned into a gummy mess, so I had to switch from chemical stripper to a card scraper mid-job, and now I'm wondering if we ruin the history of these pieces by taking them too far back - what side do you fall on?
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cooper.nathan5mo ago
1920s oak is actually more of a quarter-sawn white oak, not red oak.
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kimr335mo ago
Does the original finish really tell the story if it's got 90 years of wax buildup and somebody's old lacquer drips smeared all through it? I'd rather see the honest wood grain underneath than some crusty coating that's hiding more than it's preserving.
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