Help with refreshing/refurbing an old oak chest please

I have a lovely old oak chest that needs a bit of T&C - see the attached photo.

I want to tidy the top up but without losing the character and patina of it. Does anyone have any tips and thoughts on how I would be best to go about this?

Also, as shown in the photo, the lid is unusually hinges towards the middle allowing just above half of the top to lift. Any thoughts on why it was made this way and what it was used for?

Thanks

 

I've taken the liberty of reposting your photograph as Full Image, Rob, so it's easier for everyone to see. You'll want to remember to do that in the future. (And, not to worry. All new members do the same thing their first few posts.)

Debora

 

Just a guess about hinge placement. If there is no evidence of hinges at the furthest edge, it may be due to large surface of the lid. I would be prone to cracking if sat on. The overall surface is stronger this way. Is there a wooden support under the hinges on the short section?

 

Clean, then go over the surface with lacquer thinner to even out any existing finish. Re-coat with a tung oil varnish (matte or satin). May take 2-3 coats to get a consistent look. You will find some areas take more finish than others. Keep wiping it into the dry areas as they appear. Once you get it finished and dry, apply a coat of paste wax to deepen the finish.

BTW, believe this to be a fairly modern import. Not oak. Likely a plantation hardwood. From India or Southeast Asia. These were common in the import stores 20-30 years ago.

 

Thanks to all of you for your helpful responses - much appreciated.
Will check the hinge support next time I am near it.
Verybrad - do you know if there is a simple way of confirming what sort of wood it is?

 

a close up of the grain may help..

 

Thanks Komokwa - does the photo above help?
Roaring20s - I have checked and there are supports on the short section.
Thanks again, everyone.

 

Well Rob...it's not any wood I recognize off hand.... , but not oak.
Brad , may be correct , & the nails instead of screws in the coated steel hinges speak to that, for me.
& the 2/3 rds opening on top may have something to do with the weight of the wood & that it's unframed..
It sure does want to look older than it may be...
Someone used it as a bouncy castle

what size is it ?

 

Hi. Looks like there is a consensus emerging that it isn’t quite what I thought it was - which doesn’t matter too much as I still like it! It would be nice to know for sure what it is though.
It is quite big - length 144cm/57’’, width 74cm/29’’, height 51cm/20’’.
Thanks again

 

Your new pic looks a bit like pine. A shot straight down of the entire top might help.

 

Thanks Verybrad and apologies for the delay in getting back. I have attached a few more images. Would appreciate your view.

 

pardon me...it is framed.....and braced.....
looks a lot nicer from the inside................but I don't seem to see pine..

 

Thanks again and apologies for the delay in getting back. I have attached a couple of additional photos. Would appreciate your views on them. Much appreciated.

 

@verybrad -- Tagging him to increase chances he will notice the new photos.

 

Not pine. Have to go with some kind of plantation hardwood. Certainly not any of the woods typically used in the West. Reinforces that this is a S.E. Asian import.

 

the way it's cracking on the top...and that wood repair....I concur with Brad !!

 

Great - thanks both of you. I will go forward on the assumption that it a SE Asian import. I really do appreciate the time and help that you have given me over this. Thanks again!

 

I like it ,
it has personality .....
we'll want to see it....when you've cleaned it up !