Cedar is precious not only for its blushing, buttery color and fine grain, but for the insect-repelling powers inherent in its own sap. Antique cedar chests, dressers and armoires are a welcome addition to any room though hand-me-downs and lawn sale bargains may need a little TLC to restore them to their attractiveness.
Cleaning
Before you begin on the larger task of refinishing your armoire, then you want to give it a thorough cleaning. Wipe away any dust or cobwebs using a feather duster, stationary duster or clean fabric. A vacuum with a hose and upholstery brush is useful for an armoire that’s been kept in a basement, shed or garage and might have become a home for spiders or other bugs. A couple of squirts of dish liquid dissolved into a bucket of warm water is a powerful degreasing cleanser. Wipe down the entire armoire, being careful to not get it too wet. Allow it to dry thoroughly prior to stripping it.
Stripping
Thanks to modern technology, stripping furniture isn’t any longer the cluttered nightmare it was. But chemical strippers can be harsh, so wear protective gear such as goggles, a painter’s mask, gloves and old clothes. Paste strippers are best for large pieces of furniture such as armoires, because they drip and splatter less. Apply the paste stripper using a natural-bristle paintbrush and await based on the time specified by the producer. Scrape the old finish off using a plastic scraper and wipe the armoire down thoroughly using clean, lint-free cloths dampened with a tiny bit of mineral spirits. Sand any stubborn spots using 180-grit sandpaper and wipe away the dust with a tack cloth. Really old armoires might not have the aromatic properties that cedar is famous for, however sanding the inside of the armoire will remove the top layer of wood and renew the pleasant scent.
Fixing
Even the most quietly used antique armoires can include scratches, chips and dings. Since the shabby chic look isn’t to everybody’s taste, you might want to generate some minor repairs to the timber. Sand surface seams with 180-grit sandpaper. Work with the grain and don’t apply a lot of pressure. Wipe away the sanding dust with a tack cloth before staining the armoire. Deeper gouges and chips need filling. Sand the area around the damage. Fill the chip or gouge with stainable wood filler, ensuring to level it off to the surface of the armoire. Allow the wood filler dry thoroughly and then sand it gently to smooth and level the stitch with the surrounding wood.
Refinishing
Cedar can be either painted or stained. Use a paint that has a primer built into it, and apply it in thin, even strokes using a paintbrush or little roller. Allow the first coat dry thoroughly and then sand with 220-grit or finer sandpaper to get a smooth, glassy finish. If you choose to stain your armoire, then there are numerous ways to apply it. Brushes can be used with oil-based or knitted stains, but won’t work well with wax stains. Staining sponges — little sponges covered in soft cotton — work best with wax stains, but they’re also good for water-based and oil-based stains. Whichever way you decide to apply a tinted stain, then work with the grain as you apply it. Feather the edges of every program so that you don’t wind up with thick stripes in which they overlap. Let the stain sit on the cedar for a few seconds and rub off the excess with a clean, lint-free fabric. Old T-shirts work nicely for this. The more you leave the stain on before wiping it off, the darker the end result will be. Do not stain, finish or wax the inside of the armoire, or the coating will prevent its own aromatic, insect-repelling properties. Catch the inside of the armoire unfinished in any way.
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