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How To Refinish A Lane Cedar Chest

How do you refinish an old Lane cedar chest?

Soak a rag in lacquer thinner and wipe down all exterior and interior portions of the Lane cedar chest to neutralize the stripper. Sand the wood surfaces as needed with a palm sander and fine-grit paper or a rotary tool with sanding accessories to smooth any rough areas and remove traces of the old finish.

Can a cedar chest be refinished?

However, as they move from household to household and generation to generation, cedar chests can become worn, scratched or coated in paint and other finishes. Refinishing a cedar chest brings back the natural beauty of the wood and can be accomplished in a few easy steps.

Can you paint a Lane cedar chest?

After two coats of primer its time for paint. Two coats of white paint can now be painted on to your Lane cedar chest with your favorite Cling On brush. Make sure to lightly sand in between coats. You can great white chalk type paint as well as glazes, stains and sealers online HERE.

How much does it cost to refinish a cedar chest?

Having your cedar chest refinished at a shop could cost you close to $600. But refinishing it yourself costs only about $100 in supplies, and you will end up with a beautiful chest that you can take pride in having restored.

How much is a 100 year old Lane cedar chest worth?

Old Lane cedar chests sell from $100 to about $700 depending on the age, condition and whether the hardware is original. Most are worth about $200 to $400.

How do I clean a cedar Lane chest?

Start by gathering a vacuum with a brush attachment, some fine-textured sandpaper and 100-percent natural cedar oil. Remove everything from the chest, and sand in the direction of the wood grain. You may start to smell the cedar aroma again right away. Vacuum everything out with the attachment, and close up the chest.

How much is an antique Lane cedar chest worth?

Online auction sites, antique shops and secondhand stores often sell Lane cedar chests — based on their age, condition or rarity — starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more for older chests. But most chests, on average, are valued between $200 and $400.

Should you stain a cedar chest?

Cedar chests often are handed down for generations. They can represent years of family life. Proper finishing is important to keep the chest looking and performing at its best. Proper finishing of a cedar chest includes stain and topcoat.

Are Lane cedar chests still made?

The last Lane cedar chest to be manufactured in the United States rolled off the production line in the summer of 2001, and the plant closed for good.

What should you not put in a cedar chest?

Avoid plastic or paper bagging of your textiles. Remember that only certain plastics (Polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester) are safe to store items in a cedar chest.

How do you open an old cedar chest without a key?

You can open the chest without the key by removing the lock. Lane cedar chests have a safety problem on chests built before 1987. The locks on these chests automatically engage when the lid shuts, which can trap small children inside.

How do you reuse old cedar chests?

18 Fantastic and Creative Ways Uses for a Cedar Chest Coffee table. Coffee tables provide the perfect spot to rest your cup of Joe while relaxing after a long day. Nightstand for a Bedroom. Nightstands are ever so handy! TV Console. End of the Bed. Entry Way. A Catch-all – Organization Space. Resilient Storage. Window Seat.

Does refinishing antique reduce value?

While emphasizing the value and beauty of an original finish in good condition, they should also advise the public that most furniture does not lose value when refinished, and that, in fact, this furniture should get a new finish when the old one loses its visual and protective qualities.”.

Is it worth it to refinish furniture?

Trying to refinish centuries-old furniture, without using a professional, can damage the furniture and lessen its value. The only exception to this rule is if the item has more personal value to you than what it is worth. However, wood furniture made between 1850 and 1960 are actually ideal candidates for refinishing.

How do you restore cedar smell in a cedar chest?

How to Recharge the Smell of a Cedar Chest Remove all items in the chest and wipe down the lining with warm water to remove dust and the surface coating of grime. Sand the wood by hand with 60-grit sandpaper. Apply a few drops of natural cedar oil to a clean cloth and rub the wood to enhance the natural aroma even more.

Are Lane cedar chests solid cedar?

While any chest can conjure up the privateer in us, Lane chests, with their solid cedar plank work and bevy of styles, hold special allure. Produced from 1912 until 2001 by the Lane Furniture company in Altavista, Virginia, Lane chests always loomed large in the zeitgeist.