Restoration - Antique Oak Roll Top Desk Part 1

Hi and welcome to this weeks video, where we take an antique oak roll top desk and do a bit of a restoration on it, to make it suitable to use as a desk to hold a computer.
This has been quite a big project, involving lots of stripping and sanding, so we've decided to split it up over two videos. This is part one, where we concentrate on the base of the desk. So, it will be all about the repairs and refinishing of the drawer bases, drawers and centre panel. Part two will be about the top and putting it back together in it's final home, but that's a whole other story!
We have't gone into great detail in the videos about the processes we used to restore the desk so we've listed them here:
1. Used paint stripper to remove the old finish
2. Cleaned off all old residue and remaining paint stripper with wire wool
3. Gave each piece a wash to remove any remaining stripper
4. Sanding, lots of it!
5. Sealed using a hard wax/thinner solution (10% thinner)
6. Light sanding with 320 grit
7. Finished with beeswax polish applied with 0000 wire wool
8. Buffed to a beautiful soft sheen
9. Sit back and enjoy a cup of tea!
We're not profession rennovators just enthusiastic DIYers, upcyclers, repurposers, reusers or whatever other tag you'd like to give us BUT we do loads of research to enable us to do the best job that we possibly can. We love the way our reloved desk looks and are very proud of our efforts, we hope you love it as much as we do!
You can see part two here: • Restoration - Antique ...
Enjoy the video and remember to subscribe and hit the bell to be notified when part two is available.
As always stay safe and well, and we'll see you on the next one.
Ritch and SJ.

[@bigwu100]

I liked watching the lady getting into the work. When she filled that wood crack with the melted wax. I was impressed.

[@ritchandsj3333]

To be honest she's the one with the real talent.

[@bloggalot4718]

I don’t think the average person realises how much work is involved in something like this.

[@ritchandsj3333]

So true. Must admit this wasn't too bad as we did it for ourselves, so cost and time were less of an issue.

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Well done! The amount of work and patience for that job is astounding! If you are lucky with that lock it's held together with screws then if you are very very lucky you will be able to find a key blank that fits and make your own key (using a dremel) 👍 👍

[@ritchandsj3333]

In the end we bought a new lock, as the one in it was a poorly sized replacement, the new matches the original openings far better.

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

OK That's cool, Finding stuff to fit things is hard work sometimes!

[@leomurphy9205]

@RichardandSJ - I'm refinishing my Granfathers 100+ yo oak rolltop - Question, do I use a "ROTARY" sander on the oak panels? If so, how do I prevent circular scratches? I'm using a belt sander on the large surfaces and that seems to work great. The difficulty I have is on smaller panels where the belt sander is too large. I appreciate any advice you have! GREAT VIDEO!

[@ritchandsj3333]

Sorry for the delay in responding. Yes you could use a random orbital sander, but keep the pressure light to prevent the scratches, and work up your grits. Scrappers are a good alternative to remove old finishes. You can sand by hand, just make sure you’re following the grain. Don’t forget to leave some the marks and scratches, it’s not necessary to make to factory fresh, as it’s a piece of your family’s history. Good luck Ritch.

[@chrisfranklynmakes]

Looking good, however stripping that roll-top is terrifying me! I look forward to seeing how you attack it!

[@ritchandsj3333]

Thanks, it wasn’t as bad as you would think, although SJ did most of the work.

[@therapyroomsmedicaltherapy9263]

How long did the full process take?

[@samygrl7228]

I know this is an old video… but how does one take these desks apart?? I have one that does not need re-finished but I want it out of my house and it will not fit out of any doors or windows!

[@ritchandsj3333]

Hi, the top usually just lifts of the drawer bases and the rear centre panel then unscrews fron the two drwer units. Hope the helps.

[@fortnitegods90]

What kind of stripper

[@ritchandsj3333]

Hi here’s a link to a video about the stripper we use Tested - A more eco-friendly Paint Stripper kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoOumoKkfrZ0kKs

[@jp7056]

I have this exact desk. I’m told it was my Great-grandfathers. Trying to get an idea of exact age. Any pointers?

[@ritchandsj3333]

We think this is possibly early 20th Century.

[@jp7056]

@@ritchandsj3333 hell yes brother

[@markusboyd4834]

1930s… i have the same one and with the original key. The key is also designed in Art Deco style