Restoration Advice on Wood Closet

Hello,

As the title indicates, I was given this closet with this hideous mark damage (that's why it was given to me haha). Theres no drama if it stays like that but was wondering if people with some knowledge of wood repairs can offer advice (if any), how to make it less noticeable.

Many thanks and all the best

 

We should wait for real experts, but I just rub in a bit of Old English on nicks and scratches.

 

Doesn't look like too big of an issue. A little Howard's Restor-A-Finish (or the Old English) would probably make this look a lot better. If either of these products are not available, just a rag-applied oil finish of any type would do the job. Examples of this are Watco Danish Oil, Minwax Antique Oil Finish, and Hope's Tung Oil Finish. I am sure there are others. I guess I would start with an untinted version and maybe get a stain marker to add a little color if needed. Color could be added over any of the mentioned products.

 

As long as it's in good structural shape, it shouldn't take too much. If all else fails it looks like modern factory product; take a paint brush to it. I'd tape off the fancywork and paint the flat parts.

 

It looks like it's got one of those ubiquitous limoges couples on the pull. When were those? 40s?

 

Inspired by the work of Fragonard or called "Courting Couple." Internet says late-Victorian era but I always think of them as being popular in the 1920s-1950s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Honoré_Fragonard

Debora

 

Very familiar with him. I definitely don't see these as Victorian with the fittings they usually have.

 

They were on everything in the 30s-50s.

 

Thank you very much to everyone for the input. I will indeed buy and try using the Old English (Howard's restor would be harder to procure or more expensive due to transport) and see how it goes. If not well or I mess up with the polish will just try to perhaps paint the panels.

If you're curious about the images on the pulls I can definitely take closeups, I don't know when the closet was made. I know it's not super old but 40's or 50's wouldn't be impossible, it comes from an old relative from the person who gave it to me.

Again thanks!

 

I found Howards at a hardware store. I think you'll find Old English to be just about impossible to mess up. They sell a light and a dark. I just use dark but up to you what you think matches best. It's got stain in it (so don't drip it on yourself or carpet) and on pieces like this you just wipe away the excess. It's like magic.