What Are the Steps to Refinish a Cedar Chest?

Removing Hardware

• Begin the process by first removing all visible hardware using a knife or screwdriver. If the pieces are tightly secured in place, try using a razor blade to help detach the hardware. Avoid damaging and scratching the surfaces. If you still cannot remove the hardware, simply leave them but clean them first with sliver, brass, or tin, cleaners. Wipe them off with a rag and temporarily cover them with pieces of cloth to protect them. For added wood protection, line the hardware with blue painter's tape.

Painting and Sanding

• The next step is to strip off the old paint or finish by using paint and varnish remover. Paint the chest with remover using a paintbrush. Be a little generous with the application. Applying the remover too sparingly will cause it to dry up quickly and will just be ineffective at stripping off the chest's old finish. Wear gloves while doing this.

  Allow the paint remover to sit on the surface or until you've reached the suggested time as indicated on its label. When it's time, scrape off the outer layers using a scraper. Work along the wood grain's direction. Using a rag dampened with mineral spirits, wipe clean the surfaces you've unfinished. When already smooth and clean from its old finishing, move on to the next portion of the chest.

  You may use steel wool to eliminate the last traces of the old finishing that have become stuck in between the wood grains. Sand any rough edges. After sanding, wipe down the area using a cloth to remove any dust residues.

  Apply stain on wood to add more character. Seal your cedar chest with a good quality sealer. You can rub the surfaces with mineral oil or a glossy lacquer to seal it.

Deodorize the Chest

• To remove the odors inside the box, place an open container of baking soda inside and close the chest for two days. You can also spread newspapers inside to deodorize the interiors. Inspect the chest after several hours. If the odor decreases, replace the newspapers with fresh ones. Once the smell is tolerable, place cedar blocks or chips inside the chest and leave them there.