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Reclaimed Wood Project


JustEmptyEveryPocket
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Since keeping a fleet of old vehicles on the road doesn't keep me busy enough I also do various construction and woodworking projects in my spare time. The most recent one is a series of picture frames made from 100+ year old door casings. The wood is special to the family because it came out of grandma's house etc etc. So they want to keep the old paint and molding profile on the wood. The problem I am running into is the paint is old and was exposed to the elements, so it is flaking off everywhere. If I try to cut, move, or even accidentally bump it I loose lots of the paint. Does anyone have an idea for stabilizing it? I was thinking to brush on some urethane, but wasn't sure how that would work. So I am turning to you all for any thoughts or experience that might help here. Thanks!

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I would try some experimenting. Maybe scrape some of the very loose paint off and maybe lightly sand and then poly. If you try to poly over loose paint it will flake and get in the poly and contaminate it. Do be careful with the paint though, good chance some of it has lead, especially the coats closest to the wood surface. I have some walnut that my grandfather bought and he made several tables I still have and I have made some projects with some of that same wood. I really like when there is a connection to the family, worth the trouble of saving it. Good luck! 

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Are you storing the wood indoors or outdoors? If it was interior wood at the house, it may not be suited for exposure to the elements. Probably won’t solve all issues but I’m sure it would be a contributing factor...

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I would use a wood glaze. Shouldn't really add color but will help maintain the distressed/antiqued look and seal it up. Homedepot has some stuff I used on one of my projects. can't remember what it's called but it's by the stains. Basically just glaze

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7 hours ago, 500 MJ said:

Are you storing the wood indoors or outdoors?

The reason all the casings were removed from the house is that it was falling down. I was told parts of the roof had severe leaks and several exterior doors and windows were broken. From what I gathered the house fell into disrepair for years after the grandmother passed, then the grandkids decided they wanted to rescue some things and keep a connection. So I have been keeping it stored inside, and the picture frames will be inside. However the damage happened from outside elements. I am trying to find a way to halt that damage without changing the way the piece looks.

 

3 hours ago, Smokeyyank said:

I would use a wood glaze

Isn't wood glaze just a stain or pigment? Not sure how this would seal the wood. Can you elaborate more or link a product?

 

 

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I'm pretty sure it was this stuff. 

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/chalked/decorative-glaze

 

 But after looking at it more and hearing your problem may not work. Might need something like this.

 

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/chalked/protective-top-coat/

 

Basically I would  just spray something to seal it. Brushing it you're probably going to knock some stuff around. 

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