Thank you for this very helpful video! I was able to get both these products over here in the UK, and used them to great effect on the cabinet of my gran's Singer 416, which she bought in 1971. She had used it as a plant stand for many years and it needed a lot of TLC but now you'd never know the top was covered in water marks. Now to get the machine working again!
Wanted to let you know I ordered my Chapman screwdriver set. It helped me restore a Singer 127, will use it plenty. Bought husband the gunsmith kit for birthday, thanks again!
This looks like a very good product, this looks so much better. I'm anxious to see how you repair the veneer because I need to do this on an old sewing machine cabinet. It is a treadle cabinet.
I have used Restor on an oak bookcase few years ago and it looks great. Makes the item still look like an original antique looking piece but looks well preserved. Doesn't give you that refinished look. I sanded bookcase to clean it up a little and then applied oak Restor and it looks great.
I have the same exact cabinet for 15-91 Singer and used the same Howard Finish and it came out beautiful. will use the Howard feed and wax. Great video!
@@cpoul I actually ended up only using the products in this video and it turned out great! Im not aware of any way to remove the top finish without removing the stain, you'd probably have to re-stain it after stripping or sanding. Side note I wish I could add pictures because the before and after of my cabinet are incredible and I'm super proud of it haha
Most of the cabinets that I have picked up with machines were ruined in some way beyond my ability to fix them. The mounting points for the sewing machines were blown out stripped out destroyed other problems with the cabinets were stripped out. Screws cracked woods and veneer missing huge chunks. I got two cabinets and four treadles that I have saved and I have no space for anything else wish I had a storage unit that I could put the use in but I don't even have that. I will one day just not right now
I have a vintage Kenmore 158 in its original table, produce 1977 by the Jaguar company. The leg is missing a small chunk of wood. I don’t know what type of wood it is made of but I’d like to recondition the table and waterproof it. The machine still works like a dream so the intent is for original use, but I’m worried that a finish may bleed into fabrics being used. I have photos.
Oh I have this table, unfortunately one of the brackets are broken 😕 Do you know what machine sat in it? I don't know if I should strip the parts from inside or not.
Your videos have been extremely helpful in my restoration of my Grandma's 15-91 that I inherited... Thank you! My cabinet looks like it's the same one as this, but how do I know whether it's mahogany or not? It looks reddish to me, but I want to get the closest match in the Restore a Finish...I want it to look as close to original as possible!
How cool that you have a family heirloom to restore Gary! One way I use to try to discern the type of wood is by looking at sample images of wood grain online. So, for example, were you to Google under Images, Cherry Wood grain furniture, or Mahogany wood grain furniture, you will see images that you can compare to your own table. Remember that words like Cherry, Ash, Maple, etc. are used loosely and often are referencing a wood color. Wood can be stained a color that is counter to what you might have a conception of it being. (Cherry having a reddish tone for example). Also, many woods will darken over time so most pieces of furniture will develop a patina over time which is often considered desirable amongst furniture fans.
I wish I could post a picture of my nearly identical cabinet on here to get opinions on if these products will do the job or if I'll need anything more. I got it from a thrift store in Knoxville for $30! I haven't checked to see if the machine works yet, but as I already own a sewing machine, that hasn't been my top priority. I just want to make the cabinet look good again for now 😊
I can tell largely by the grain pattern Dave. If you have something and are not sure, I would do a search for images of these wood types which show pattern and color (color is very approximate) and go from there. Maples tend to be lighter and Mahoganny tends darker.
It is called an "escutcheon". You often see these on furniture where there is a lock and key. Its basically a metal ring that protects the wood when you insert or remove a key. Many sewing tables had locks with keys that were primarily there to prevent curious hands from children from getting into the sewing machine and supplies.
Hi I have a question I cant find an answer to. This is regarding 1954 Singer #40 cabinet. Was the final finish shellac or Lacquer in the 50s? 10% of the tops finish remains in splochy areas, so mostly exposed wood. I would like to dissolve and remove the remaining finish without stripping the top as a first step. Lacquer thinner and steel wool does not seem to dissolve the finish. Any help? Thanks
I have not verified for sure which of those 2 finishes (or others were used). Back then, they did not have Acrylic finishes and they needed hi VOC coatings such as Lacquer or Shellac because they dry relatively fast. If lacquer thinner is not effective, the solvent currently used for Shellac is Denatured Alcohol. For any of these solvents, BE VERY CAUTIOUS with fumes. They are highly toxic and should be handled with proper respiration equipment/outdoors, or both. Each product should have thorough directions which I would follow to the letter.
That was interesting, thank you. I was wondering if you can talk in a video about what to do when we have some paint that has chip on a black machine. I will receive a machine that the owner was using with a piece of fabric wrap on the boddy (shoulder) she was putting her pins on that fabric and it damaged the paint. I would like to patch a little these (holes) for a lack of vocabulary. Merci.
Hello Sylvie. Funny you should ask this since I just got my thread guide repaired on the Necchi BCJ and I hope to make a video soon on touch up painting for vintage machines. I will cover this very topic so stay tuned. Good timing on your part!!!
I just bought a vintage J.T. Parsons sewing cabinet at a thrift store today. I think the wood species is walnut and it's not in bad shape for it's age. Can't wait to get started on cleaning and conserving it. Thanks so much for your helpful videos. I'm a big fan of your channel and always learn so much from you.
I have used the Howard products on my old cabinet. My question is if there is anyway to tell what type of machine a cabinet housed? My grandmother removed the treadle parts long ago but id eventually like to restore it and find the type of machine it came with. Ive only seen one like mine and it had an Arlington. Thanks really enjoy your videos
Hello Terri and you ask a great question. If you look back at my earlier videos in the Cabinet and Table Series, I discuss various dimensions and how to tell (mostly) what machines it held and could hold now.
My sewing machine cabinet is oak. So is the 1920s Hoosier that I am about to clean. Can I use the Restore on oak? The Hoosier is very dry. Thank you. ~Diane
I purchased a 201-3 singer sewing machine with the It's original cabinet for $75.00. In perfect working condition How lucky can you get. Just had to brag sorry
Thank you for this excellent demonstration of these products. Do they also remove that stale old furniture oil smell that these cabinets can have? I have one that has this smell. I have given it a good wipe over bit the odour remains. I have not applied any polish products as yet. Thanks.
Hello. There may be a variety of softness in microfibre cloths, but I have had unpleasant experiences with them as they cause "micro scratches" which damage and dull the finish of both vintage machines and tables. This is likely due to the fact that Lacquer paints and varnishes are quite vulnerable to abrasion. What they give us in beautiful depth and sheen, they lose when abraded too harshly.
Don feel badly Al. I would say 75 % of the tables I get need at least some level of "Freshening". But these tables are tough and strong so I think they are worth it.
Thank you for this very helpful video! I was able to get both these products over here in the UK, and used them to great effect on the cabinet of my gran's Singer 416, which she bought in 1971. She had used it as a plant stand for many years and it needed a lot of TLC but now you'd never know the top was covered in water marks. Now to get the machine working again!
WOW, that stuff works like magic. Now I can jazz up my mother's old machine. Just brought her home and that is the same style cabinet I have. Thanks.
Wonderful!
Just found your channel, and it's exactly what I need, I have the same table - happy that I can source these products in Canada too...thank you!!
Welcome aboard!
Considering getting a vintage sewing machine cabinet and your videos will really guide me through the process. Your videos are wonderful! Thank you !
I'll have to watch this again when I finally bring my mother's White Rotary in from the barn.
I am watching this video for the second time so that I can copy your technique you use in applying the products. Wish me luck.
Wanted to let you know I ordered my Chapman screwdriver set. It helped me restore a Singer 127, will use it plenty. Bought husband the gunsmith kit for birthday, thanks again!
That's great Marie. Those sets are so useful for a lot of projects and they really help prevent stripped screws. Thanks for sharing!
This looks like a very good product, this looks so much better. I'm anxious to see how you repair the veneer because I need to do this on an old sewing machine cabinet. It is a treadle cabinet.
I have used Restor on an oak bookcase few years ago and it looks great. Makes the item still look like an original antique looking piece but looks well preserved. Doesn't give you that refinished look. I sanded bookcase to clean it up a little and then applied oak Restor and it looks great.
I have the same exact cabinet for 15-91 Singer and used the same Howard Finish and it came out beautiful. will use the Howard feed and wax. Great video!
I have the same cabinet as well and I'm actually here doing research on refinishing one! I take it you recommend the products as well then?
@@echatt93 I have one too. Have you come across any info on how to dissolve top finish without stripper to not remove stain only top finish?
@@cpoul I actually ended up only using the products in this video and it turned out great! Im not aware of any way to remove the top finish without removing the stain, you'd probably have to re-stain it after stripping or sanding.
Side note I wish I could add pictures because the before and after of my cabinet are incredible and I'm super proud of it haha
Amazing. I just purchased this product. 1913 White treadle in its cabinet.
Most of the cabinets that I have picked up with machines were ruined in some way beyond my ability to fix them. The mounting points for the sewing machines were blown out stripped out destroyed other problems with the cabinets were stripped out. Screws cracked woods and veneer missing huge chunks. I got two cabinets and four treadles that I have saved and I have no space for anything else wish I had a storage unit that I could put the use in but I don't even have that. I will one day just not right now
That stuff did a really nice job on the cabinet top! I don't think I've ever used either of those products; I'll have to look for them.
Exactly the info I needed, thank you!
No problem!
I have a vintage Kenmore 158 in its original table, produce 1977 by the Jaguar company. The leg is missing a small chunk of wood. I don’t know what type of wood it is made of but I’d like to recondition the table and waterproof it. The machine still works like a dream so the intent is for original use, but I’m worried that a finish may bleed into fabrics being used. I have photos.
My table is very similar. Do you know how to get the front knob off? I'd like to replace it. Looks like it's glued on🤔
Oh I have this table, unfortunately one of the brackets are broken 😕 Do you know what machine sat in it? I don't know if I should strip the parts from inside or not.
Your videos have been extremely helpful in my restoration of my Grandma's 15-91 that I inherited... Thank you! My cabinet looks like it's the same one as this, but how do I know whether it's mahogany or not? It looks reddish to me, but I want to get the closest match in the Restore a Finish...I want it to look as close to original as possible!
How cool that you have a family heirloom to restore Gary! One way I use to try to discern the type of wood is by looking at sample images of wood grain online. So, for example, were you to Google under Images, Cherry Wood grain furniture, or Mahogany wood grain furniture, you will see images that you can compare to your own table. Remember that words like Cherry, Ash, Maple, etc. are used loosely and often are referencing a wood color. Wood can be stained a color that is counter to what you might have a conception of it being. (Cherry having a reddish tone for example). Also, many woods will darken over time so most pieces of furniture will develop a patina over time which is often considered desirable amongst furniture fans.
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage thanks so much!!
Good job
I wish I could post a picture of my nearly identical cabinet on here to get opinions on if these products will do the job or if I'll need anything more. I got it from a thrift store in Knoxville for $30! I haven't checked to see if the machine works yet, but as I already own a sewing machine, that hasn't been my top priority. I just want to make the cabinet look good again for now 😊
Update: these products resulted in a fantastic restoration for my cabinet and the machine does work!! Thanks for the video!!
does the Restor-A-Finish work on Shellac finishes? The singer I have has the wood dyed a red and a dark oak shellac finish top coat.
Yes, it should. Follow the directions carefully and be sure to wipe off and not let it sit on there too long.
I like seeing this! Great! Great product, that H0wards!
Interesting. How do you tell the difference between walnut and mahogany? Is there a trick? Never sure what color to choose.
I can tell largely by the grain pattern Dave. If you have something and are not sure, I would do a search for images of these wood types which show pattern and color (color is very approximate) and go from there. Maples tend to be lighter and Mahoganny tends darker.
What is the small metal ring that is above the knob on the drawer?
It is called an "escutcheon". You often see these on furniture where there is a lock and key. Its basically a metal ring that protects the wood when you insert or remove a key. Many sewing tables had locks with keys that were primarily there to prevent curious hands from children from getting into the sewing machine and supplies.
My 201 is in a nearly identical table that needs a little help. Thanks for the video.
Hi I have a question I cant find an answer to. This is regarding 1954 Singer #40 cabinet.
Was the final finish shellac or Lacquer in the 50s?
10% of the tops finish remains in splochy areas, so mostly exposed wood. I would like to dissolve and remove the remaining finish without stripping the top as a first step. Lacquer thinner and steel wool does not seem to dissolve the finish. Any help? Thanks
I have not verified for sure which of those 2 finishes (or others were used). Back then, they did not have Acrylic finishes and they needed hi VOC coatings such as Lacquer or Shellac because they dry relatively fast. If lacquer thinner is not effective, the solvent currently used for Shellac is Denatured Alcohol. For any of these solvents, BE VERY CAUTIOUS with fumes. They are highly toxic and should be handled with proper respiration equipment/outdoors, or both. Each product should have thorough directions which I would follow to the letter.
thanks for the video...I needed this information.
That was interesting, thank you. I was wondering if you can talk in a video about what to do when we have some paint that has chip on a black machine. I will receive a machine that the owner was using with a piece of fabric wrap on the boddy (shoulder) she was putting her pins on that fabric and it damaged the paint. I would like to patch a little these (holes) for a lack of vocabulary. Merci.
Hello Sylvie. Funny you should ask this since I just got my thread guide repaired on the Necchi BCJ and I hope to make a video soon on touch up painting for vintage machines. I will cover this very topic so stay tuned. Good timing on your part!!!
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage I cant wait! Thank you for all of your videos.
I just bought a vintage J.T. Parsons sewing cabinet at a thrift store today. I think the wood species is walnut and it's not in bad shape for it's age. Can't wait to get started on cleaning and conserving it. Thanks so much for your helpful videos. I'm a big fan of your channel and always learn so much from you.
Thank you Teri. We all learn from each other!
I have used the Howard products on my old cabinet. My question is if there is anyway to tell what type of machine a cabinet housed? My grandmother removed the treadle parts long ago but id eventually like to restore it and find the type of machine it came with. Ive only seen one like mine and it had an Arlington. Thanks really enjoy your videos
Hello Terri and you ask a great question. If you look back at my earlier videos in the Cabinet and Table Series, I discuss various dimensions and how to tell (mostly) what machines it held and could hold now.
My sewing machine cabinet is oak. So is the 1920s Hoosier that I am about to clean. Can I use the Restore on oak? The Hoosier is very dry. Thank you. ~Diane
Yes you can!
I purchased a 201-3 singer sewing machine with the It's original cabinet for $75.00. In perfect working condition How lucky can you get. Just had to brag sorry
Congratulations on finding your treasure. Absolutely wonderful sewing machine. You got a terrific bargain.
Which video shows the veneer repair??
Hi DA. I'm planning on making that video as a followup to this one very soon.
Thank you!! Your videos are super helpful.
Thank you for this excellent demonstration of these products. Do they also remove that stale old furniture oil smell that these cabinets can have? I have one that has this smell. I have given it a good wipe over bit the odour remains. I have not applied any polish products as yet. Thanks.
isn't it better to use a tack sheet? Tissue leaves fibers
Great idea.
I'm confused. Microfibre cloths are not abrasive at all.
Hello. There may be a variety of softness in microfibre cloths, but I have had unpleasant experiences with them as they cause "micro scratches" which damage and dull the finish of both vintage machines and tables. This is likely due to the fact that Lacquer paints and varnishes are quite vulnerable to abrasion. What they give us in beautiful depth and sheen, they lose when abraded too harshly.
I'm writing down product names as you go. My sewing cabinet needs lots of "love".
Don feel badly Al. I would say 75 % of the tables I get need at least some level of "Freshening". But these tables are tough and strong so I think they are worth it.