Refinish or?

Just picked up this giant buffet! I love the proportions but it's not in great condition. Picked up around Portland, OR.

Also came with 2 matching dining chairs, image of upper portion attached.

Dimensions: ~ 7ft x 3ft x 2ft

Before I look into refinishing/restoring — any thoughts?

 

@elise-cosmos , please come back and set your images to "Full Size" so we can most easily peruse them.

 

Can edit your post to do this. You will find it at the bottom "Full Size"

 

@James Conrad , @verybrad

 

THANK YOU!

 

I'd clean it
polish it

restoring laminated parts is very tough.....but halting further separation would be nice...

whatever you do...be gentle !!

 

Thanks INH, I couldn't remember Ghopper's avatar name!

Indeed be gentle.

Are you thinking of restoring / refinishing this yourself?
I ask, because it's a fine piece that appears to be finished with old shellac, which is difficult at best to "match" but not impossible. If it were mine and I were young and strong again, I would probably strip it and replace the small divots of veneer losses, then refinish it with modern day shellac. Let's wait to hear what a furniture expert recommends...

 

I'm really not sure. I haven't done anything like this before, though my husband and I are quite handy. Thank you for your thoughts!

 

It's Hepplewhite in style, a bow/serpentine front sideboard although it isn't period. Yes, the veneer is damaged and tricky to repair/replace.
I would try cleaning an inconspicuous area first with alcohol and see what happens.

 

Thanks, James! Great advice.
What period would you say this could be from, please?

 

Agree with James and Komo. Easy does it! Try an inconspicuous place and treat it with Howard's Restore-a-Finish, and if that looks good finish it with Feed n' Wax. That may end up being all you have to do.

 

"It takes a time and adjustment to get the color perfect, there are multiple Colors of pigments involved, and dye stains to affect the richer colors. Knowing what to use when and how it will look under finish is only gained through experience. Also having a variety of pigments and appropriate dye stains at your disposal are key, but also an expensive investment.

a little knowledge of color theory really goes a long way. But more so than that practice it takes trial and error, so going straight to your restoration without any prior experience or practice can leave you with an undesirable final product."

 

Tried to upload a video on coloring missing veneer with paint, DIDN'T WORK!