Featured Cool set of furniture- how to clean and more!

I picked this set up off Market place for $50....and I have questions!!
1. What can ypu tell me about these pieces (age, style, value?)
2. What is the best method of cleaning? It has a grime patina on it that scrubbing w mild dish soap didn't help. I was considering a light pressure wash on it....stupid to do that?? The Rocker is the cleanest of the 3.
3. I'm getting it reupholstered, I'm thinking an indoor/outdoor fabric for a "put out on a covered porch " vibe....thoughts? What type of fabric would you do? Floral, stripes, or ???

 

It’s a late Victorian revival style ca. 1900-1910. Some might call it Empire Revival. Made of mahogany as the primary wood.
Attractive and sturdy, but not much demand for this style right now. In my part of the Midwest the set would maybe bring $100-$200 in nice condition. I don't know where you are, so your mileage may vary.
I’d use my old friend Howard’s Restore -a-Finish in mahogany to spruce up the look. I’d recommend a tasteful stripe pattern for the new upholstery.

 

Finish looks oxidized. I would use lacquer thinner to cut the old finish and remove the haze. This is a bit tricky to do without removing too much finish. If beyond your expertise, the Howard's will certainly help these a lot.

 

Clean off the dirt and grease "before" trying to spruce-up the finish. You will not believe what is sitting on the surface.

I fix Edison and Victor phonographs. This will not harm the old finish. Use GoJo (non-pumice) https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB...EAQYAyABEgJP2_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1 . It will clean it with ease and without water.

Smear it on liberally. Let it sit a bit. If really dirty, agitate with a clean paint brush. Wipe off with paper towels. Repeat as needed until clean.

After it has completely dried, then focus on what the finish needs.

 

It's going to take some work, but when you're done you'll have a living room set no one else has.

 

I was working on a record cabinet today and took some photos to illustrate my post. The oak was a bit rough for the paper towel, so I switched to rags. I probably wiped it down six times before the rag was less dirty ... and that's good enough for me. This also gives you a good idea of how it will look when you're done.



The original shellac finish is still good. Once, it has dried, I'll wet wipe it (not drippy) with a lint-free rag a few times with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. After that, if needed, a few wipes with amber shellac that has been thinned with isopropyl alcohol. I thin it approximately 70% isopropyl alcohol to 30% shellac. Wipe with the grain and work the wet edge, side by side, section by section.

 

The GoJo worked wonders! Check out the after photos!

 

Hey everyone! I'm doing a new post to show my before and after on this set, check it out!

 

I just posted in a new thread, check it out!

 

This what Bookahtoo was getting at ... it is here ... https://www.antiquers.com/threads/before-after-on-my-victorian-revival-style-furniture-set.87605/

 

Oh, I see! Thank you for posting the link!

 

Cleaning: my all time favorite furniture cleaner is naphtha. Dries wicked fast. Won’t strip shellac or lacquer. Gotta use it outdoors. Lacquer thinner is a great tool for refinishing but I wouldnt mess with it until you get the dirt off and you can see the finish. You might be grossed out, just be prepared.
Shellac and lacquer are both derived from the lac beetle. Both finishes are easy to use, forgiving of errors, and simple to restore/refurbish/repair/jooj up. It helps to go on YouTube to watch someone do it. Crigun in DE does a lot of it.
I would go with a super dark upholstery color-brown, eggplant, navy, burgundy. Double down on the goth core.