How do I repair an old cedar chest?

What is wrong with it? Is the wood in good shape?

Everything in good shape the varnish on top has cracked and left it rough and smooth

Hi pat, an orbitol sander with fine grit sand paper run over the top of it (or you could do it by hand) would smooth out the finish so you can apply stain and/or a sealant to make it look new and nice again.

You should be able to sand that old varnish off. Then recoat with polyurethane.

Hi Pat. Try using )) steel wool and rather than sanding, then use some furniture restorer in the color you prefer, then buff it with bees wax

You can sand or strip the old finish off. Then stain and/or reseal with water based polyurethane

How to Restore an Old Cedar Chest

https://ourpastimes.com/restore-old-cedar-chest-6176145.html

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/clean-inside-old-cedar-chest-93558.html

Lane Cedar Chest Veneer Repair and Refinishing

https://werefinish.net/furniture-refinishing-restoration/furniture-refinishing-and-repair-project-tutorials/cedar-chest-refinishing/

Here's a helpful link to repair your cedar chest:

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-refinish-a-cedar-chest

General cleaning and replacing hardware should fix it up. To re activate the cedar smell, lightly sand with either extra fine grit sand paper of fine steel wool. Then wipe down to remove dust.

You didn't specify what was wrong with the cedar chest so I found this info for you that I hope will help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWAnGUG6vEc

Consider possibly post a photograph to better see your situation and area of concern? Having a visual might be best guidance to a help find the best suggestions or potential solution to best know what you are dealing with.

There are some posts here that might be helpful to you:

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=repair%20cedar%20chest

Hi ! What do you need to repair on your chest ? Can you post a picture ?

if you need to replace the hinges , consider getting the slows closing kind , if you have kids or grandkids that might be opening it ! You can always sand it a little and apply an oil , to the outside , for the inside , if needed only sand it !

don't paint or paper the inside ! The reason cedar chests were so popular is because the repelled pests , like moths that could damage clothes that were stored inside . Good luck !

Can't tell what is wrong with it. If it has deep gouges, use wood filler sand and stain. Are there pieces of wood missing or broken? Are the hinges bad? A description or better yet a picture would help us help you.

What parts are broken? Hinges? Handle, wood? Inside?