Ideas for old wooden desk please?

[rosyposy]

I have been given this oldish (maybe 60's) wooden desk which has seen much better days, but it is a great size for taking PC and printer etc. The top is a mess, it has a ring of black paint on it and it may have had a leather top at one time, but it just looks like plywood now, it does have a band of what could be oak around the edges, and the drawers are a nice oak too. I know that the best solution is probably just to paint it but I would rather not do that except as a last resort, so I am hoping that some ever helpful AB'ers might be able to suggest something different :0) I live in hopes - rosy

[HowardKennitby]

can you post a picture so we see where we are starting from?

[rosyposy]

Oh dear, I haven't a clue how to do that, maybe that should be my next question......thank you for replying tho'. rosy

[RATTER15]

Take a few pics from different angles, get them on your pc, go to www.photobucket.com and set up an account (free) then upload pics onto photobucket then send a link on here. Easy!

[RATTER15]

http://photobucket.com/

[rosyposy]

Oh thank you for that Ratter, I will have to try tomorrow as the desk is in an outhouse at the moment, which doesn't have a light. thanks again, rosy

[DTCwordfan]

If Ratter and Carakeel have any input, it will be garden furniture.....

possibly the funniest thread in AB.

http://www.theanswerb...6.html#answer-6219806

[rowanwitch]

find a wallpaper that matches your decor and wallpaper the top after lightly sanding then get a large sheet of clear acrylic sheet cut to sze and sanded round the edges and drill hols in each corner and screw to top of desk. Wallpaper drawer fronts and change handles coat with cleqar varnish to protest

or you could use something funky like zebra print or mad flowers

[RATTER15]

DT how could you be so mean to that poor old gentleman :)

[shooty]

personally, i would strip it back to basics and varnish. if you are thinking of stripping it back to re-varnish, be carefull, as some paint strippers can turn the wood green. someone on here might be able to give some good advise on that. its better to show a good quality piece of furniture some elbow grease than just buy some chipboard alternative from ikea. i collect zippo lighters and made my display cabinet from an old mahogany desk. not the whole desk mind, i just recycled the timber. good luck with your project.

[DTCwordfan]

Me mean, noooooo.

It was funny though - still got it?

[The Builder]

I agree with Shouty, Rosy. Take it back to original. For the paint, use a cabinet scraper or the blade from a carpenter's plane to scrape it off without scratching up the wood.
A little Nitromors rubbed in with plumbers' wire wool should take off the patina and bring the wood up (assuming the whole thing isn't painted.)

[rosyposy]

Thank you all for your suggestions, yes I think I want to take it back to basics, but what to do with the plywood top? Can you buy the sheets of leather to cover it, or maybe faux, as it maybe would be wasting money just to stand the pc and printer and keyboard on it, as it might not last long then.Would it be easy to put on, what would I use, glue? wallpaper paste? Thanks again, I have received some very useful tips X rosy

[shooty]

i thought you was suggesting it 'looked' like plywood. are you quite sure that it is plywood ? if so, has it got a nice grain anyway that may stain up nicely.

[rosyposy]

No Shooty, it doesn't have a grain at all, I'm not sure it is plywood but am assuming it is because of the leather, or something which must have been on it at one time. I'm not sure if the paint will come off either, but will try Builders suggestion,but if it doesn't I need something to cover it up, hopefully. Thank you for replying - rosy

[The Builder]

Have a look on Ebay for Vinyl fabric, Rosy.
Fix it with contact adhesive....... in an aerosol can is easiest.

http://www.toolstatio...20/d180/sd3107/p48156

[Ratty2E]

You can get replacement leather
http://www.heathsrestoration.com/designs.html
That's probably what I would do, and if you want to know how to do it

[rosyposy]

Thank you Builder, yes I will look on ebay, and rattyratgirl, the video is a great help, I now have an idea of what I am doing ;0) rosy