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What happens to wood finish?

1K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  a1Jim 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a couple of pieces of furniture(childs desk,chair, dresser) that I wish to store. I don't wish to sell or part with this stuff and as I look at it, it would go for big bucks new. My parents probably made a genuine sacrifice to buy it then and it served me well when I was first married to about 20 years until we got stuff that matched.

Going to store in an unheated DRY second story garage. Upstate NY temps and humidity ranges are horrible, 95 deg 90% humidity in August and friggin cold ( as low as -5) in January and February.

I will cover both pieces with cotton canvas for protection.

The finish is not oil but some kind of vanish or poly from the early 70's.

QUESTION: What's going to happen to the finish?

I'm mostly a lurker here admiring all the stuff you folks make. Soon I'll have finished laying about 550 sf of wide pine flooring that's about as close to woodworking as I am getting.

Thank you in advance.
 
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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
I think you'd be safe in storing the furniture, as long as no moisture gets to it, and keepin it in storage where it's dark. As long as no sunlight, dampness, or other elements get to it, you'll be ok….. I've got a couple of pieces that belonged to my mom and dad from the 40's, and they are still in good shape…..Most finishes are pretty tough, even those they pit on that far back…..I think you're good to go…...Others may chime in and have a different opinion…..
 
#4 ·
If the finish is a film-like varnish-it will suffer. There is no way the humidity is going to be stable in there, and wood is hygroscopic-it loves moisture-and moisture will get in and the operative word is expando. Then when those summer temps hit, out it goes, and the wood slims up like a cheerleader going to her 20th high school reunion. Then the varnish starts to pop and peel. You will not like the result of this storage option, in my opinion.
 
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