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Lightly sanding the surface of the cedar chest’s interior with 200-grit sandpaper opens the pores and rejuvenates the wood’s natural oils. If the interior scent doesn’t return with sanding, rub some cedar oil into the wood with a soft cloth. This replenishes the natural oils and refreshes the scent.
How do you sand and stain a cedar chest?
Sand the exterior of the cedar chest with 200-grit sandpaper and a sanding block. Sand in the direction of the wood grain to create a smooth, even surface. If you have to remove old stain from the chest, you may need to start with a 120-grit sandpaper and then follow it with 200-grit.
How do you restore the outside of a cedar chest?
Using 100% cedar oil will restore the aroma of the cedar lining as well as repelling moths and mildew. Lightly sanding. A sure-fire way to restore the lovely, fragrant cedar smell back to your hope chest is by lightly sanding it with a fine-grit sandpaper. Sanding will open the pores of the wood, exposing new oils.
Are old cedar chests worth anything?
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.
How do you clean an old cedar 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.
What can I use to stain an old cedar chest?
Oil is Everywhere Oil-based stain is one of the best options for finishing a cedar chest. Oil stain penetrates deep into wood fibers to bring out grain patterns, no matter what the species.
How do you restore an old wooden chest?
How to Refinish a Wood Chest 1 Clean the Chest Up. Place the chest on a work surface at about waist height. 2 Remove the Hardware. Use a screwdriver to remove hinges and latches. 3 Repair Cracks + Splinters. 4 Fill Dents + Scratches. 5 Sand the Chest. 6 Nooks + Crannies. 7 Final Sanding. 8 Wipe On, Wipe Off.
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 can you tell if a cedar chest is antique?
Most antique cedar chests have a serial number engraved or stamped on a section of the chest. This serial number also doubles as their manufacturing date of the chest. An interesting fact to note is that the serial number is to be read backward (i.e. from right to left).
Why does my cedar chest stink?
Excessive moisture or humidity can make any piece of wood furniture smell foul after a while. Vacuum inside the chest, and wipe the inside and outside with a lint-free dust cloth. A screened porch is perfect, as it helps keep the chest as clean as possible. The fresh air and daylight will help banish musty odor.
Can you paint a 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.
Can you sand cedar?
Cedar wood is lightweight, stable and relatively easy to work with. It can be sanded to remove surface defects and prepare the wood for painting or staining. Rougher sandpaper can be used to remove material, and finer sandpaper for smoothing the wood surface and preparing for finishing.
Can you use tung oil on cedar?
Rough-sawn light woods such as red cedar, basswood and western hemlock, however, have a much lower rating, allowing use with undiluted Pure Tung Oil or Dark Tung Oil.
Is tung oil good for cedar chest?
Tung oil, Danish oil, and Lacquer make the best finish for a cedar chest. Tung oil will provide a long-lasting, durable finish that’ll last years.
Can you use linseed oil on cedar?
There are two oil finishes recommended for sealing cedar: teak and linseed. Brush a heavy, dripping-wet coat of linseed oil onto the wood and let it soak in for approximately 30 minutes. Coat all sides of the wood except the bottom of the legs, which will stick to the newspaper or drop cloth if coated.
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.
Can photos be stored in a cedar chest?
Yes, with proper preparation you can store photos in your cedar chest. Your pictures capture moments in history that would sadly disappear in your memory over time. Keeping your photos in your cedar chest will ensure their continuing preservation for the familial generations to come.
Are hope chests still popular?
The hope chest of the past, also called a wedding or dower chest, is still a popular piece of furniture, although it is no longer used in the traditional way. In 17th and 18th century America, a hope chest was given to a young girl.
