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This is my new project. Just restoring it. I stripped the veneer off the top last night. I also took out the broken glass panel from the door and the smaller broken panel on the left side.
I'm just wondering what stain and varnish to get for the finish? Below is a chart for wood types. I'm look for a light yellow birch finish. I think that is the closest match to the color. What do you think?
There are some minor scratches and scuffs on other parts of the cabinet. I am actually reluctant to touch it. No sanding back if not needed. I'm wondering if I should use a mixture of actually just rubbing some if the scratches out with a microfibre cloth and a liquid solution I have here?
For the deeper scratches and scuffs I'm not sure what to do yet. Any suggestions? Remember it is veneer. Thank you.
Hi Wouldy @Wouldy
as requested here are some photo's of the cabinet before repairs.
With the leadlight repairs, I have done leadlight work a long time ago to replace my own leadlight panels, I did do a leadlight course which helped me lot, so I am not sure if you have ever attempted to do any leadlight repairs, there is a lot of you tube videos on how to do lead lighting.
Anyway, I repaired the leadlight panels by removing them from the timber framework, it's too hard to repair in situ. the panels have to lay flat for repairs and soldering.
I owner of the cabinet arranged to have the glass panels cut to size, I would have preferred to cut the glass myself, however luckily the glass all fitted in well, I just had to cut a couple to fit. I had to buy the lead came to suit the rest of the panels, being an old unit, I bought the closest size to the original, I bought these from a Leadlight glass shop, I also had to buy black putty, this is used between the glass and lead came, also bought some chalk powder, plus I had all the tools required to cut and do the repairs.
Here are the steps I carried out.
1. Remove leadlight glass panels, and place them on a piece of chipboard slight bigger than the panel, I suggest you do one at a time.
2. New glass (3mm thick) was cut to size to match existing glass panels, (usual old glass panels are thinner).
3. Purchase lead came, ( take sample of lead to Leadlight shop), Black putty, Chalk powder, Buy enough to do the job.
4. Tools required, Lead came stretching vise, Leadcame ;cutting pliers, plastic putty tool,100 watt soldering iron, carbide-wheel glass cutter, breaking/grozing pliers, running pliers, 60/40 solder, flux, flux brush, two types of buffing brushes, soft and medium, horseshoe nails (look up internet to see what tools are required). Have I lost you yet!!!!
5.Once you have all the above, you can start your repairs.
6. Before removing any damaged glass panels or glass, take measurements of the panels and length and width of the whole panels (do this whilst in a flat position.
7. Remove any damaged area , with the leadlight cutter or sharp utility knife.
8.Stretch and cut the new lead to fit the panel, I suggest you replace a complete row, it's too hard to replace one piece, unless it's a corner piece.
The Leadlight shop owner said that he replaces the whole panel, he said, it's much easier than repairing a few panels. I did the opposite I repaired approx 9 panels.
9. When you have cut all the lead came and fitted the glass, held in place with horseshoe nails, you can prepare for soldering, if you haven't soldered lead before, look up the internet and practice first before soldering your panels.
10. When finished, clean all the solder flux off each joint.
11. Now it's time to putty all the joints and polish with medium brush, the finally with a soft bristle brush. polish the whole panel to get all the one colour - black.
12, Place the panels in the curved timber frames, this will help them to set to the curved shape of the frame.
Hope this helps, I know it's a lot to take in if you haven't done it before, maybe you might know someone who has done leadlighting , where they can help you or do it for you. Please let me know if I can help any further, good luck Wouldy.
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