permanized mengel dresser

Picked this up at a garage sale, thinking about taking it into the shop. I have looked all over online and have not been able to find this style anywhere, which I found odd.
I was wondering if anyone knows anything about this brand?
I am a big fan of MCM, and I know it is selling well right now.
Any pointers on how to clean it up?
Is painting a piece like this sinful?
Any help is appreciated!
Cheers

Mengel 1 by Michael Ross posted Jan 28, 2016 at 2:12 PM

mengel 2 by Michael Ross posted Jan 28, 2016 at 2:12 PM

mengel 3 by Michael Ross posted Jan 28, 2016 at 2:12 PM

- Mike

 

My parents bought a "white" bedroom suite in the late 50's that might have been this dresser's cousin. The surface (keeping in mind that it's been decades since I've seen any of these pieces) had a non-wood look and feel - sort of like Formica. Is that what you see on this piece?

 

http://www.polyvore.com/sale_permanized_mengel_furniture_vintage/thing?id=85328545
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http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/m/mengel/mengel.htm
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http://forum.furninfo.com/Topics/9347

 

The surface is very Formica-ish... yes. Quite dingy looking.

 

It probably won't take paint well if at all.

 

Yup. Dingy is the way it ended up as I recall. The surface wore easily from cleaning, thus the set was replaced with nicer wood furniture by the end of the 60's.

 

Our go-to furniture member, verybrad, will no doubt have comments. He has painted non-antique furniture in need of a sprucing up successfully. Lots of experience, so wait for his comments.

 

Thank you for the info! I came across the same articles in my Mengel history Google lesson.
I just found it hard to believe I couldn't find this exact dresser anywhere. Found many other recurring pieces, but never found this one. I was hoping it was a rare one $$, but now I'm thinking maybe everyone just threw them out? :/

 

Raymond Loewy design article that gave me hope

 

Seems to me that a firm that would hire that kind of designer would have used better quality components than what was on the set my parents had. I have no way of knowing at this late date who manufactured it. Perhaps you should take and post some closeups of the surface where this dinginess is present to give verybrad an idea of what could be done - either cleaning-wise or refinishing.

 

Mengel is medium to low range quality furniture. Some of their stuff from the fifties is pretty good. By the 60s, the quality had declined a bit. I would think your chest is from the late 50s or 60s in a "pickled" finish. These are good candidates for paint. Just be sure to prepare the surface well. If the top is formica, you will need to sand it and use a spray paint suitable for plastic on it rather than latex.

 

I would call that "Eisenhower Era."

There were companies, like Vista, who hired designers for high-end furniture, and used different materials (like formica) for more "down" markets like hotels and suburban homes.

Vista's still really collectible...

I found a full set of girl's bedroom furniture with oval/knob pulls in pink and white years ago - my mid century friends sold the whole shebang (desk, 2 dressers, end tables, headboard and chair) in their store for only $250, bc it wasn't the "right" version. (never forgot that! but it was their store, so.........)

 

Vista..... I lived very close to there... Hmmmm....

 

I have a mahogany permanized side table that I would like to refinish. Any ideas how to go about it? I would also like to buy another one if anyone has one. It is 30" x28" x 30"

 

I may have one

 

the good news is....that's nice
the bad news is ' carolyna ' hasn't been seen here since Sept 14 2016.........

 

@Martie Do you have questions or comments ?

 

Keeping in mind that this thread will soon be 4 years old.....

 

I don't really understand how to use this site. I have a Mengel I am trying to refinish. I sanded and added Minwax stain, but there are blotchy spots and shiny spots. Wondering if it is the "permanized" finish??