How to restore this antique washboard?

Question

I found this washboard at an antique shop's moving sale. I bought it for $15, not knowing anything about it, or whether it could be restored to its former glory. It is in good condition (no chips on the glass, but some wear on the wood is very evident). You can see in the pictures below that there is some white stuff (paint? wear?) that I don't know how to remove without damaging the piece. There are the words "Crown Glass" on one side, and I'd like to make them more evident.
I'm asking - is there a way I can go about restoring this piece without compromising the words beneath?
And also... for the antique/junk lovers out there... did I pay a reasonable amount for this piece? I bought blind, and I wonder how I did.
Thanks a bunch, guys!
Tara

I'm asking - is there a way I can go about restoring this piece without compromising the words beneath?

And also... for the antique/junk lovers out there... did I pay a reasonable amount for this piece? I bought blind, and I wonder how I did.

Thanks a bunch, guys! 
Tara

Heather (New House New Home) · Answer

For the mildew on the wood, I would suggest a watered down bleach solution (4/1). Make sure you wipe it off afterwards so that you don't bleach it out.

Tara @ Suburble · Answer

Thank you, Heather! I will give it a try. I'm guessing that I'll have to wipe it pretty quickly to avoid bleaching the wood?

Heather (New House New Home) · Answer

I think you're probably right. You may have to go over it a couple of times.

Tara @ Suburble · Answer

Wish me luck! :)

Cathy Marien · Answer

After you get rid of the mildew maybe try a light coating of coconut oil gently rubbed all over. Keep us posted on what you try. My mom has one that was her parents that I would love to clean up for her.

Terra Gazelle · Answer

Hemp oil does wonders for old wood.. you would not want to make it like new..I like the antiuque to look like antique. But a nice lemon oil will  feed the wood also.

Tara @ Suburble · Answer

Where would I find lemon oil (Or hemp oil, for that matter), @Terra Gazelle ? Would that be at the hardware store?

Terra Gazelle · Answer

I got mine from Amazon. It was organic...used by me for nausea for chemo. What was left I used on the furniture. But you do not need the organic for furniture.

Janet Stewart · Answer

It's Crown Brass

Beni · Answer

This looks fairly straightforward as far as restoring antique furniture is concerned… I’d recommend a bleach solution for the mildew and lemon or linseed oil for the wood. If you want to get fancy, you could even buy some darker wood stain and refinish the wood frame!

How to restore this antique washboard?

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How to restore this antique washboard?

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