Refinishing a pie safe 

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I saw your question on the web re: finishing a pie safe. I just bought a very early pie safe that is falling apart. All the parts are still on but need help, especially the tins. Did you get any helpful responses last year?

Thanks,

Carolyn peart
- Ashland, Virginia

Last week I purchased an antique pie safe at an estate auction. My question is: How do I "refresh " or "clean" the tin panels in this pie safe? There are a few splotches of paint on several of these panels.

Thanks so much in advance.

Jacki McGlamory
homeowner - Kernersville, North Carolina

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A plating jobshop could re-tin these for you. Short of that, you can probably strip the paint off with paint thinner without damaging the tin; and with a buffer and soft buffing compound you can probably get it halfway shiny. It is quite inexpensive to get replacement "Pie safe" Tin [link is to product info at Amazon].

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

 

I would like to know the best way to finish the tin panels on my pie safe. It was punched from the inside out, so the sharp points are on the outside.

Irene Eades
hobbyist - New Berlin, Illinois

Hi, Irene. Have you considered taking the tins out and turning them inside out? Sanding them will probably remove the tin plating from the steel sheet metal and they will likely rust. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney finishing.com Brick, New Jersey