Restoring Mid Century Danish Style Teak Sideboard

[YogiX]

Hi All

Just purchased a mid century teak sideboard on ebay to use as a media unit. It has a few age related marks as the per the pics.

I am waiting to collect the sideboard but wanted to get in a few bits to clean up. Ive been searching online and watching youtube vids. Some say to clean, strip and re-oil whereas some say use turps with 0000 wire wool and then apply teak oil, etc.

Can anybody give some advice as to the best options to go for.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[custard]

None of those scratches look particularly deep. Unless you really know what you're doing then I'd go very cautiously with some coloured wax before trying anything more substantial.

Incidentally, living in Haslemere you've got some of the best restorers in the country close by in Petworth/Midhurst/Billingshurst. Given that mid century pieces are just about the only bright spot in a collapsing antique furniture market I'd take your purchase seriously and not gamble with making an error.

Good luck!

 

[deema]

I could be wrong in my dating, it looks like a 1960s manufactured piece, in which case it may be solid teak or teak veneer. I would establish which it is before any serous material removal processes are tried.

 

[Roxie]

Deema

I would use a combination of 25% Vinegar, 25% Meths, 25% White spirit & 25% Dansih oil. Mix it together and apply using fine wire wool. Wipe off with a cloth, allow to dry and then use your preferred finish, I would suggest either Danish or Teak oil.
Hope this helps
John

 

[YogiX]

None of those scratches look particularly deep. Unless you really know what you're doing then I'd go very cautiously with some coloured wax before trying anything more substantial.

Incidentally, living in Haslemere you've got some of the best restorers in the country close by in Petworth/Midhurst/Billingshurst. Given that mid century pieces are just about the only bright spot in a collapsing antique furniture market I'd take your purchase seriously and not gamble with making an error.

Good luck!

Thanks for the tips. Picked up the sideboard today and the scratches are very light. Its a lovely colour so I don't really want to strip it and lose the character.

 

[YogiX]

I could be wrong in my dating, it looks like a 1960s manufactured piece, in which case it may be solid teak or teak veneer. I would establish which it is before any serous material removal processes are tried.

Thanks Deema. Im sure you know more about it than me! It looks solid with some veneer on the edging.

 

[YogiX]

Deema

I would use a combination of 25% Vinegar, 25% Meths, 25% White spirit & 25% Dansih oil. Mix it together and apply using fine wire wool. Wipe off with a cloth, allow to dry and then use your preferred finish, I would suggest either Danish or Teak oil.
Hope this helps
John

Will this strip or just clean? Ive also read that Danish oil should only be used if sanding down a piece and not for maintenance. Is that true?

 

[YogiX]

Hello again. Starting to wonder if the top is veneer. Is there a way to easily tell?

I have taken some more pics. It looks like it has veneer strips to the edging. Looking at the underside of the top it has something that looks like particle board to make the front 2" of the top thicker and around the edges, assume for strength and then it it bare wood which looks like teak.

The doors look like solid pieces of teak.

If it is veneer on the top do you have any suggestions for removing or hiding the scratches.

I love the sideboard so don't want to do to much. Just want to make it zing.

 

[deema]

To check if a part is veneered look for the grain matching up at the edges, it should follow through from a front / back face to edge. If it doesn't, it's veneered. Good veneered items will have the same veneer on the inside as well as the outside. This helps to maintain the stresses in the item equal and help to stop cupping / the veneer cracking. It's not a guarantee that just because it has a teak veneer on the face that doesn't show that it's solid.

 

[Roxie]

Sorry but I seem to have got the authors wrong.

The "magic mix" will clean off the crud that has accumulated and remove some of the finish, it should not "strip it" unless you are very aggressive with the wire wool. Danish oil will feed the wood/veneer and if allowed to dry can be buffed to give a satisfying satin sheen.

John

 

[YogiX]

Sorry but I seem to have got the authors wrong.

The "magic mix" will clean off the crud that has accumulated and remove some of the finish, it should not "strip it" unless you are very aggressive with the wire wool. Danish oil will feed the wood/veneer and if allowed to dry can be buffed to give a satisfying satin sheen.

John

Thanks