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Design Dilemma
elebea2

Teak Dressers with Metal Bands

elebea2
4 years ago

These teak dressers are solid, in good shape but the addition of the metal band is a little odd. Looking for suggestions to update them. We're willing to stain or paint.



Featured Answer
  • Nitap Drawoh
    4 years ago

    Before doing anything to the bands clean the surfaces good & treat with Lemon or orange oil. Wipe off excess oil. You may be surprised how good the look. I would leave the bands alone. If they have developed a patina, you will destroy it. Appreciate what you have.

    Comments (20)

    • PRO
      Sabrina Alfin Interiors
      4 years ago

      I'd leave as is (or, if you want, give them a good going over with Murphy's Oil Soap to rejuvenate the stain), then get some long, modern pulls in the same finish as the metal bands. Something like this, perhaps:



      Sanctuary Linear Pull 12" Center to Center TK25ORB Oil Rubbed Bronze · More Info


      elebea2 thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
    • elebea2
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      I like that idea and I particularly like the pull. They do open from the groove in the bottom of each drawer but a handle could update the dressers nicely.

    • Dana Hopkins
      4 years ago

      I’ve recently fell in love with Holloway Lemon Oil! It does wonders for wood. I love the pull idea above! A simple little update, because these are great pieces. Here’s just an example of what the lemon oil does

      elebea2 thanked Dana Hopkins
    • C P
      4 years ago

      Check ont Fusion paint, easy to do

      elebea2 thanked C P
    • elebea2
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Dana, the lemon oil finish looks really good. I like the furniture a lot and while I have painted a teak piece , these are a much better quality. We want to 'do right' by them.

    • elebea2
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Any suggestions for cleaning the metal strips? Not sure what kind of metal it is.

    • Dana Hopkins
      4 years ago

      Thank you! I’d Wonder about The bar keepers products for the metal, but I think that’s more for brass. Is it possibly Wrought iron? (I’m really not good with metals, sorry)

      elebea2 thanked Dana Hopkins
    • elebea2
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      I will check out the Bar Keepers products. It's not wrought iron and it almost looks like it's been dipped in a type of acid before being applied to the dressers. It has an odd look. Has a gasoline in a water puddle look to it (best way I can describe it). They are my son's pieces. He bought them online from a couple who were moving. There is a mirror for over the low dresser and a headboard piece. They need to be cleaned up and I'm going to suggest lemon oil. They weigh a ton.

    • Nitap Drawoh
      4 years ago

      These are close to mid-century modern. Since the ha pull groves on the bottom of the drawers, adding handles will disrupt the design & possibly value. Do not add handles! If a magnet sticks to the bands, they are iron or steel. If not, they are some other metal. Before doing anything to the bands

      elebea2 thanked Nitap Drawoh
    • elebea2
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Thank you. We will try a magnet.

    • partim
      4 years ago

      Looks like bronze or brass to me.

      elebea2 thanked partim
    • fuzinav
      4 years ago

      Nice looking dressers, but are you sure they are teak? Teak is known for a straight grain. If they are teak, teak oil should be used. It is sold by many different companies but is a blend specific to teak and adds moisture to the wood.

      elebea2 thanked fuzinav
    • PRO
      Patricia Colwell Consulting
      4 years ago
      last modified: 4 years ago

      I would not add handles at all you have a nice metal on them already leave it be.I am not sure about the teak but it is easy to take to a wood worker just remove a drawer and they might be able to help with how to clean them up too.Please do not paint until you know for sure if that is teak. If it is leave it alone solid teak is now inpossible to find it is all veneered. I think those metal bands could be raw steel.

      elebea2 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
    • suedonim75
      4 years ago

      It looks like hot roll steel that was pickled.

      you can scrub it with a scotchbrite Pad to remove the “rust” and then coat with car wax. Or you leave it and “embrace the patina”.

      elebea2 thanked suedonim75
    • Lyndee Lee
      4 years ago

      I like MAAS and Simichrome metal polishes. They aren't cheap but usable on many different surfaces

      elebea2 thanked Lyndee Lee
    • PRO
      Massey Interiors
      4 years ago

      It looks like white oak to me, I wouldn’t do a thing to it. The wood is gorgeous, needs a good cleaning, but I would not use any oil, just a little soap and water. I also think the metal bands are perfect as they are. Leave it be and appreciate the naturalness of it.

      elebea2 thanked Massey Interiors
    • elebea2
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Looks as if this could be a much easier project than anticipated. Thank you, everyone. This is a great site for ideas.

    • elebea2
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Nitap Drawoh: Tried the magnet on the metal; it sticks. Thank you.

    • partim
      4 years ago

      You might find this article on steel finishes interesting. https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/Patina-Finishes-for-Steel

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