Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Restoring Old School Desk

Just purchased an old school desk - wood top with metal frame. The metal frame is brown rusty - what should I do to restore this.

Gene Williams
- Wilmington, Delaware
2001

I have a large version of yours, I believe. First I am going to disassemble it, then I am going to strip (paint remover [on eBay or Amazon] )the old paint from the metal frame and wet sand the rust off with WD-40 [on eBay or Amazon] . I will then remove the WD-40 residue and paint the frame with a rust inhibiting primer, then a couple of coats of a good black enamel (spray paint). I will strip the varnish, if any, and sand the wooden top. Next comes the stain of choice, oak, cherry or walnut with sanding between each coat. The finishing 2 coats of a good polyurethane with sanding between each coat. Finishing with a couple of coats of paste wax.

R.F.Monaco
- Winter Park, Florida, USA
2001

That "wooden" top you have may actually be a formica type surface and if you sand it down (as my wife did) you will mess it up.

P. L.
- Dallas, Texas
2001

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: