Jul 05 2008

Video - Part II: Refinishing A Merklen Brothers “Shabby” Table

Here’s Part II of the Merklen Brothers table refinish project.  If you didn’t view the first Part yet, I recommend you watch it first, here.

In this episode, I’m in the shop of my favorite local furniture restoration business, Rose Valley Restorations, and we go through a battery of tests to determine the best approach to stripping.

You can view the video by using the player below or follow the instructions to view it in full-screen, stereo and High-Definition.

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Tags: antique, blog, chic, furniture, Merklen Brothers, oak, quartersawn, shabby, table, victorian, video

3 Responses to “Video - Part II: Refinishing A Merklen Brothers “Shabby” Table”

1. # james conradon 05 Jul 2008 at 10:56 am

   neat that you are filming this process. finishing wooden objects today is an art form onto itself and i note that certified line copies of the Brown family Goddard desk/bookcase which sold in 1989 for 12.1 million comes in a variety of finishes, including one that has a “200 year old patina”.

   Indeed, if one can restore/conserve the most important work of art in the western world,Michelangelo Buonarroti’s painting of the sistine chapel, one can restore your table. For a look at the issues surrounding that “WAR”, which still continues today, check this out and click on before and after pic’s.
   http://msopal29.myweb.uga.edu/

   Current score: 0
2. # woodwrighton 05 Jul 2008 at 1:33 pm

   I’m really surprised to see your refinisher working with a Methelene Chloride stripper (I heard him say it was in the video) without wearing gloves. Think about it - it will disolve old paint and finish - how good can it be for your skin, and to absorb into your body? Chemicals are absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream. It also has a burning effect on your skin (you definately don’t want it in your eyes). I definately wouldn’t advise using it without gloves. woodwright

   Current score: 0
3. # RareVictorianon 06 Jul 2008 at 11:52 am

   Yes, maybe his bloodstream has built up a resistance He was careful to tell me to wash my hands before I left.

   I took this video over a week ago, so the final sanding is now almost complete. Video 3 might be a week away.

   It takes no time to video tape, but all the time in the world to edit it, even into the lame production quality that I put together. I tell myself I’m focusing on the content and not Spielberg-esque production techniques.

   It will get easier (and faster) over time since this is only the 2nd video I’ve ever put together aside from my Honeymoon video in Bora Bora.

   Current score: 0

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