I went to an auction the other day and came home with some "bargains". My total investment so far is $3.00 U.S. These items are not in original shape. I'd just like to make them useable again. Their antique value has been shot a long time ago.
The first item is a hand crank Victrola box minus the record player. It was in need of major repair. Some of the original luan like material needed to be replaced, and the original finish had been painted over with brown paint. I'd like to know what product would best replicate an antique flat black finish? Milk paint, or Japan maybe? I've heard that milk paint doesn't cover other types of finish that well. Can anyone point out a good book, website, or product supplier, that would cover this topic?
My second find was a small mahogany chest of drawers, that was missing one drawer front. Someone had attempted to sand it down, but there is a red stain that remains in the wood. How can I bleach out the wood, or remove the stain? How do I get the new piece of wood to color match the old wood on the dresser?
The third and last item is a Hoosier table that needs the zinc plated metal table top replaced. Can I use metal flashing for this, or does a company still make replacement material for this purpose?
Thanks for your help.
Steve