Picked up a Sequoia, restoration time


 
Eric-NH

Eric-NH

TVWBB All-Star
I wanted to document everything and start a fresh thread, so here we go
I scored a 1968 Imperial Sequoia over the weekend. Overall I'm impressed with the condition of it. About the only thing that it needs is a new ash catcher. I'll and up having to fabricate something as I don't imagine I'll find the wire hanger replacement. The lid is essentially perfect, but the bowl looks like someone must have whacked it with a hammer at some point. I plan to refinish the original metal wheels, refinish the wood, and maybe one day send the bowl out for new porcelain. So far I'm enjoying even just seeing it in my garage 😜
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@Josh Dekubber , what do you recommend to clean the wood? Everything inside looks essential new, just light dirt and a little mold. All the the finish appears in tact so the mold is only on top. I'm thinking I'll only sand and seal the outside as it's been exposed to the elements since 1968 and seems to be worn down to bare wood. And probably a helmsman type product? Open to any and all ideas, this is beyond my scope and right in your wheelhouse so I appreciate the knowledge!
 
It's hard to say for sure without physically seeing it in person and trying some different things but I would most likely sand it down with 220 grit until all of the old stain is gone and the surface looks equally clean everywhere. If there's some rougher spots that need more smoothing out I'd hit them with 80 or 100 grit before the 220. Depending on how that went I may just go over the entire thing with 80/100 grit first and then hit it with 220.
 
I have never tried to straighten the curved board out before. I looked up online and saw some ideas but I haven't tried any of them before.

I'd probably consider changing out that board for a straight one.

I don't know if it's something you would be interested in but you could put a board in the center underneath going the opposite direction as the other boards and screw it to all of the boards and that would make them all the same and flat.
 
Josh Dekubber said:
I have never tried to straighten the curved board out before. I looked up online and saw some ideas but I haven't tried any of them before.

I'd probably consider changing out that board for a straight one.

I don't know if it's something you would be interested in but you could put a board in the center underneath going the opposite direction as the other boards and screw it to all of the boards and that would make them all the same and flat.
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I was considering putting one under going end to end. I may end up going that way. It's a shame because the board is otherwise in excellent shape
 
Josh Dekubber said:
I have never tried to straighten the curved board out before. I looked up online and saw some ideas but I haven't tried any of them before.

I'd probably consider changing out that board for a straight one.

I don't know if it's something you would be interested in but you could put a board in the center underneath going the opposite direction as the other boards and screw it to all of the boards and that would make them all the same and flat.
Click to expand...
Depending on how thick the lumber it would be easier to flip the board over and pull it down flat than push it up with a board cross way of it. Just from my shop.
 
You could try soaking it in water. That sometimes takes out a bend. We would put a relief cut in the center on the bottom. 1/2 the thickness of the board (3/8") Then screw a center cleat under.
 
Did the first sanding on the top. Can't decide if I want to flip the boards to get rid of the burn marks, or leave them mostly sanded down and call it character and a story. Then on to trying to save this board because why not? I kind of like that everything is still original with no rot so I'll attempt to save this board.
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I'm never in any kind of hurry cuz I really enjoy these types of projects and just spending however much time it takes to get the results I'm looking for so for me personally I would finish the original existing surface 100% and see how I liked it. If I wasn't happy then I would flip the boards and finish the other side.

I like that spot you have finished with the blackened edge on the board and black around the nail holes
 
Josh Dekubber said:
I'm never in any kind of hurry cuz I really enjoy these types of projects and just spending however much time it takes to get the results I'm looking for so for me personally I would finish the original existing surface 100% and see how I liked it. If I wasn't happy then I would flip the boards and finish the other side.

I like that spot you have finished with the blackened edge on the board and black around the nail holes
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I really liked how that turned out as well. I did it to make a decision on how much further I wanted to sand. I think I'll try and preserve that blacked ends/corners and nail holes
 
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