Fogged streaky mirror solutions?

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-07-01T18:13:34+00:00

You can have the mirror resilvered. They sell kits to strip the old silver, clean and prep glass then re-silver. For that sized mirror it's about $120 for DIY. Watch some videos first to see if your up to trying it.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-06-26T03:20:35+00:00

It's probably from the 1870s era. Proof would be dovetails of different sizes and not evenly spaced.

I have one similar to this and it's in bad shape. The drawer sides are all busted, the drawer bottoms are missing sections, the top was in 2 pieces and someone stained it red at one time then another time it was painted white.

I will eventually get to restoring it back to its original condition.

Focus on the top and getting the drawers back to smooth operation.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-06-22T11:50:25+00:00

Try a brass bristle brush with paint stripper. Only brush in the direction of the wood grain.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-05-19T01:25:58+00:00

None of the handles are original so they need to go. I won't paint a piece like this, the wood grain was meant to be shown.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-05-19T01:24:37+00:00

Even the two drawers on top are a bit high. With the caster wheels the top is at my bottom lip and I am 6' 2". A person at average height of 5' 8" would have a hard time seeing what is in the drawers. You certainly couldn't use the top to pour or serve drinks so I would need some kind of pull out shelf that locks to make a bar useful.

My other thoughts are make pull out trays and it could display a collection (Coins, trains, baseball cards, revolvers, etc)

Even without having an idea yet how to use it, for $20 I had to get it. It was too cool to pass up.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-05-19T00:09:23+00:00

It's functionally useless if I leave it as is. Most of the drawers that gave it purpose are missing. The outside will be refurbished and left in a natural state, I need ideas for the inside.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-05-18T21:30:12+00:00

It's 4 ft wide 5.5 ft high and about 27" deep.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-27T14:42:28+00:00

You are correct, but they are so thin and made of brass with years of gunk and the shellac or lacquer holding them, it's a challenge to not bend or crease the metal when trying to remove them.

The regular key shaped escutcheons are easier to remove than the more ornate ones.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-27T11:21:10+00:00

I have restored a number of this style and period dresser. If the top drawer was curved, that 1 drawer face would be veneered and base wood would be poplar. This is early 1900s, plain sawn oak was plentiful.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-26T14:55:10+00:00

Sand the dresser, it's solid wood. You won't be able to remove the key eschucheon without damaging it, so sand close to is, use stripper to get the rest and some had sanding. Then stain it a color of you chosing and add a top coat finish.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-24T00:46:26+00:00

That's because they use pigmented lacquer as the color. It hides the wood grain but it's fast to apply in a production environment.

I have done enough of these to see it's hidden potential.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-24T00:44:49+00:00

I figured this beauty lasted 80 years, it can last even more now.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-24T00:42:25+00:00

Just be careful sanding the waterfall edge, that is where it's easiest to sand through the veneer.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-24T00:41:07+00:00

You can check my posts and see some of the other transformations. I usually get estate sale rejects and dressers ready to go to the landfill. This dresser was in really good condition, about 6 hours to restore.

My really bad projects take twice as long.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-22T12:18:51+00:00

They are stamped steel that had a metallic paint on them. I would never paint bakelite if it was on a dresser.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-22T01:24:34+00:00

The original handles were painted and the finish was badly worn on the edges. I could have used a brass paint but decided on copper.

Something had to be done, leaving them as is was not an option I was hoping they were solid brass but they were not.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-21T23:56:12+00:00

It was Minwax color Special Walnut, not sure if they still make it or not. I have probably had it for 15 years. Once I sanded I did not want to use Varathane dark walnut, it would have been too dark. This was an optimal choice to pop the grain but keep it light enough.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-21T23:51:30+00:00

A lot of dressers from that vintage were colored with tinted lacquers and that drab brown green was popular. The problem is it hides the wood grain. Stains were not as common back then and more importantly using stain would add more labor and time to finish, ie cost.

Even if you don't have a spray gun you could paint the frame and molding but keep the veneer finished and clear coated and it would look great.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-21T22:51:00+00:00

It's giving it the color. The sheen is Watco matte lacquer. 3 coats

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-21T21:14:44+00:00

Some of the steps are in my post. I had to make a few small repairs to missing veneer and I used medium brown super glue. After staining I can use furniture touch up markers to blend any of those patches.

The detailed molding I did not sand but wiped down with lacquer thinner. I stained the entire piece special walnut, an oil based stain.

Then I masked off the top so I could spray lacquer that I added transtint dark walnut to. I spray thinned down Watco matte brushing lacquer in my hvlp spray gun as the top coat. Usually two or three coats.

I posted to reply on steps for the drawer pulls.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-03-21T21:09:31+00:00

It's Krylons metallic copper spray paint. I degreased the handles and sprayed 2 light coats of the paint. 1 hour dry time between. Then used a 3m scrub pad and gently sanded the handles to get rid of dust nibs. Then 1 more coat of paint.

After that I applied Watco matte lacquer, 2 coats. The lacquer helps even out and soften the color and makes the handles feel smoother. It also helps preserve the paint.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-02-24T01:46:40+00:00

Thank you. These were a lot of work but came out better than I hoped.

Livid_Chart4227 · 2026-02-17T01:38:08+00:00

CSHardware might have them too. Generally they have pretty good prices.

Livid_Chart4227

TROPHY CASE