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.
james conrad - July 5, 2008
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/
woodwright - July 5, 2008
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
RareVictorian - July 6, 2008
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.