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February, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 27
I have a fairly old solid wood cedar chest that I want to restore. It
Q. appears to be solid cedar inside and out. I can’t find any evidence of Antiques
veneer or another type of wood. The finish is very dark and crackled especially primitives
around the knotholes that are evident in the wood on the outside. What can collectibles
I use to refinish the chest so that it doesn’t crackle again? Also, the chest has furniture
almost no cedar smell left in it. How can I restore the old smell? Thanks. Militaria
—Jerry B. e-mail. shabby chic
Jerry – After you strip the chest and do any repairs the next step is vintage jewelry
A. probably the most important in the entire refinishing/restoration Vintage Toys & Trains
process. Cedar is a very oily wood. That’s what gives it the nice smell but that Vintage Clothing
also causes long term adhesion problems for any surface finish. To help seal
in oil in the wood the first coat of finish should be a thin coat of clear shellac, 97 Geneva Drive • Oviedo, FL 32765
either sprayed or brushed. I recommend thinning down regular three-pound
cut shellac by about 40 or 50% with fresh denatured alcohol. Both the alcohol PH: 407-366-7705
and the shellac must be fresh, or it will take a long time, if ever, to dry. Fresh OPEN 7 DAYS • MON.-SAT. 10AM-6PM & SUN. 11AM-4PM
product produces a coat that will dry fast and allow you to move on with www.thecoopantiques.com 3
the project. After the shellac is dry, sand very, very lightly with 320 or 400
dry sandpaper just enough to remove any dust in the finish. Then apply any
compatible finish of your choice over the shellac.
To enhance the cedar aroma the simplest process is to wipe out the
inside repeatedly with wet rags. As the water evaporates it draws the oil closer Echoes of Yesterday
to the surface of the wood and the smell will usually return. If not then you
can buy synthetic “cedar oil”, the smelly stuff used in new construction “cedar”
closets. Most home stores carry it. A Mall for Antiques, Collectibles & Yesterday’s Items
Historic Downtown Area
Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423 or 109 Broadway, Kissimmee, FL 34741
email them to me at info@furnituredetective.com
Visit Fred’s website at www.furnituredetective.com and check out the downloadable “Common (407) 847-2300
Sense Antiques” columns in .pdf format. His book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE” is now
available for $18.95 plus $3.00 shipping. Send check or money order for $21.95 to Fred Taylor, PO Mon-Sat 10-5 (Fri 10-4)
Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423
Fred and Gail Taylor’s DVD, “IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE”, ($17.00 + Visit us on Facebook:
$3.00 S&H) are also available at the same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377 Echoes of Yesterday Antique Mall
(9AM-4PM Eastern, M-F only), fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com. All
items are also available directly from the website, www.furnituredetective.com 2

NOW 15,000 sq. ft.
and Featuring 140 DEALERS!

Orange Tree

anTiques Mall
853 South Orlando Ave. 95 Geneva Dr., Oviedo, FL 32765

Just South of Fairbanks on Hwy. 17-92 Open 7 Days • Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 12-6pm
(1 Mi. East of I-4, Exit 87) Central Florida’s Friendliest Antique Mall
Voted “Florida’s Winter Park, FL 32789 Over 12,500 Sq.Ft. • 100+ Dealers for your shopping Pleasure
Best Antiques Mall” Huge selection of antique cameras and accessories.
Since 1995 (407) 644-4547
Kodak Brownies to modern digital The only antique mall in Florida
with a full service camera repairman. COME SEE FRANK every
Saturday 10am - 3pm to answer any photography questions and
evaluate cameras for repair. Stop in 7 days a week to peruse and
OPEN 7 DAYS purchase from his massive stock of cameras, acc. & film.
Mon-Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-6 SPRING SALE Primitives, Antiques & Collectibles of All Types
March 15-19 Highwaymen Paintings are our Specialty.

Dealer #103 carries a huge stock of Lladro statues, Baccaratt crystal,
Royal Doulton pieces and many other fine decorative collectibles.
He is running a FEBRUARY INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE of
50% OFF ON ALL ITEMS! Stop in early for best selection.
www.oviedoantiquemall.com PH:407-366-3668
oviedoantiquemall@gmail.com 866-824-9336
We are truly Orlando’s “Finest Diamond” Watch batteries installed $5 to $12 each by 40 year veteran watch
and clockmaker. Full service clock repairs.
COME See Why Customers LOVE Our Mall! Make Downtown Oviedo your All Day Antique Destination!
www.OrangeTreeAntiques.com 5 2 antique shops, (25,000 sq. ft.) & A thrift store within easy walking distance. 4
We stock Greenwich Bay Shea Butter Soaps & Lotions