Hi all!
I have a handsome Precedent Silver Elm dining set that needs some TLC--read refinishing--someone had a go at it and painted over original finish with some kinda wash. Sad, I know. Luckily one leaf wasn't tampered with so I have some indication of what the original looked like. I have done extensive research trying to get a good bead on what the finishing process was. But unfortunately, all I have discovered (from an old ad) is that the piece was lacquered. No surprise there.
Does anyone happen to know what the original finish was? Stained? Color? Has anyone had a silver elm piece refinished? And if so, what was used to approximate original finish?
I am hesitant to hand it over to a refinisher without being able to tell them what to do or at least what was done.
Any help, as always, would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance for time and consideration!
Best,
Alexia
A good finisher
will know what to do -- or tell you he can't -- when you show him the untouched leaf.
It's another case of "a picture is worth a thousand words." In this case, you want the table and its leaves to look as much as possible like the undamaged leaf you have -- as I understand it. Whatever combination of steps the finisher feels he must undertake, to achieve that goal, is the recipe -- for him. If you ask for it, he will produce one or more samples for your approval before beginning on the table.
Every decent-sized metropolitan area has more than one custom furniture finisher. You may be able to find one by asking at a design center, where custom furniture can be ordered.
Thank heaven you have that leaf ! Best wishes.
PS You could ask the finisher not to refinish the good leaf -- that will provide a conversation piece and a piece of history. It will also show how good his work is !
Thanks for your reply
Thank you so much for taking the time to write! Yes, it's true. I am a stickler for redoing it the way it was, which I suppose does not necessarily mean refinishing using the same chemicals as were used originally. Unfortunately there is veneer damage on the one good leaf. My guess is that is why it was left untouched--not considered worth messing with. The refinisher I use is going to fix the originally finished leaf. I am sure it will turn out beautifully; it should for how expensive it is going to be 🙂
Thanks again.
Best,
Alexia
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