Need to clean / refinish an antique machinist chest?

Question

I purchased this chest at an antique shop. My plan is to make it a jewelry box (a really big one :P ). It's oak, and was a machinist's chest. It was pretty darned dirty, but I wanted it, hooray character. However, I don't want all that "character" rubbing off on nice furniture/jewelry. I bought a bottle of murphy oil/soap and spent 45-1hr scrubbing at it. You can tell the difference, but it's still not what I'd call clean, and it has a weird texture to it, almost grimy/gritty. There's still colour coming up when I rub on it (grey/black).

Any suggestions on how to make this usable are appreciated.

Top link is the original state I bought it in, and the second is after my hour of elbow grease.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/thesorceresshermione/dirty.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/thesorceresshermione/clean.jpg

Answer 1

Get a furniture restorer instead of refinishing it. Restorers clean the wood without stripping the natural  oils and patina leaving the original finish.

Answer 2

Based on the condition I would strip it, sand it and then refinish it.   HOWEVER when (and if) you do that you may looses a lot of the antique value.

What you need to decide is what do you want character or the  look of fine good ageless wood.

Answer 3

Hi, In regards to cleaning/prep to that old nasty beautiful old oak chest .I may have some suggestions .First pencil in any hand written markings on back of drawers or otherwise if any lables remove with razor blade if there is a decal good luck! in a big sink or bathtub spray the case down with easy off be sure to protect your eyes & wear latex gloves let soak for a few minutes ,with a coarse steel wool while constantly rinsing scrub  inside & out. repreat with drawers it will now be clean, degreased & ready to sand and refinish.good luck!!! Go to MACHINISTCHEST.COM  FOR ANY ,FELT, HANDLES FASTNERS, CORNERS , FEEL FREE BROWSE .SHIPPING IS ALWAYS FREE.

Answer 4

You may need to switch to a solvent such as mineral spirits or naphtha to get off the oily residue.  When you are done, you probably should re-seal it with a clear finish such as shellac.

I would not worry about the diminishment of "antique value" which I believe is largely a myth for 99.99% of items and perpetrated by Antiques Road Show.  

Just don't "slather on some poly"