Lane Cedar Chest With Raised Bondo Stencil

This cedar chest had seen better days when I got it. Veneer was missing & bubbling, broken leg but the top was gorgeous. So I knew I could give it new life & for enjoyment for many more generations.
I removed loose veneer & filled them with my favorite go-to furniture repair product, Bondo! Yes folks..auto Bondo on furniture!! Oh and yes I did remove the lock & filled with Bondo as its against the law to resell a Lane Cedar chest without putting a new lock (which Lane will send you) or removing it. It looks better without that ugly plastic lock.
I used a wreath stencil (made by my very good friend at J Burns Designs) & a thin layer of Bondo to make the design. Pulling it off at just the right time. It takes some practice to know when to remove at the right time as the Bondo sets up.
This is the reason I use Bondo over other products. It looks original to the piece. Not a add on applique that are way to big (don't care for them) or other materials that can be chipped with the slightest bump. I want to rehab pieces that will stand the test of time.
I painted this piece in my favorite chalk paint, Heirloom Traditions Paint. Used their waxes & aging dust too. Entire piece was sealed with their water based top coat which is formulated to go over their waxes.
Aging dust over the edges and details
Top was sanded and stained with General Finishes gel stain in the color Antique Walnut.
It sold rather quickly & will hold antique blankets for years to come!
Stephanie  Coon/Rehab to Fab
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Go
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Jennifer Alyse Peters Jennifer Alyse Peters on Mar 31, 2017
    My lane cedar chest is just about the same as yours except for I don't have the bottom detail. I was wanting to see if you sanded down your cedar chest before you painted it and what brand of bondo you used. This is my great grandmother is cedar chest and I just want to make sure I do it right.
  • Sha52387016 Sha52387016 on Nov 10, 2023

    Amazing job. May I ask which color paint & wax color used? I went to their site & didn’t see where they had waxes/aging dust, but if I had the colors used I can reach them directly. I’ve been stagnant on 2 projects & you’ve inspired me! tx

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 59 comments
  • Victoria Howard Victoria Howard on Nov 13, 2015
    This looks so much like My Mom's cedar chest, also a Lane. I can't bring myself to change it like that! If it was someone's who I didn't know, Maybe. VERY nice job!
  • Laryl Hancock Laryl Hancock on Nov 17, 2015
    it's beautiful! I want to try the raised stencil, it's a wonderful touch! I'm not sure how thick it is or how you make it thick with a stencil.. but I'll research it. Any tips appreciated!
Next