Refinishing a Singer cabinet
+11
The cabinet of the singer that I want to refinish appears to have a very thin laminate on the top. However, I'm not sure if I should remove and replace or remove completely and refinish the wood. It is in really bad shape as you can see in the photos. The machine is pretty rusty and so is the metal base. One of the drawers frame is broken and since I'm not a welder I'll have to completely take it apart and have someone else to to fix. Thanks for any advice.
Top of cabinet end. This is the worst part.
The flip top of cabinet.
Top of cabinet end
14 answers
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I think that is going to be depended on how much time,effort , and money you want to put into the piece. So is of sentimental value than I would say fix the piece.
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Nov 04, 2015
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Scrape the veneer off, you can apply another sheet.,but ironically, the wood underneath is solid so you could also re-stain it.
![C.c. volpe]()
C.c. volpe
on Nov 04, 2015
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Freida, it appears there's quite a bit of veneer missing in the first picture and loosening in the last picture. It's hard to see if there are missing pieces or just the finish is wore off in the middle picture. Personally I'd want to repair the veneer as the wood underneath is always a lesser grade.
![Z]()
Z
on Nov 04, 2015
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I've got one similar to this. You have to ask yourself: 'Worn but intact? or Improved but altered?' This will give you the answer. The veneer on mine is 99% there, but at originally there was a huge, elaborate golden decal across the top. This tells you just how important the sewing machine was in Victorian history (though it drove out thousands of talented hand-seamstresses to the factories, leaving a few behind to work harder and longer days for less money. Also, women who laboured to punch the eye out on manufactured needles usually went blind due to eyestrain in their 20's, resulting in abject poverty for those who did not marry). Although the decal is worn and now illegible, I just can't bring myself to remove it and refinish the cabinet; therefore the answer for me is 'worn, but intact'.
![Duv310660]()
Duv310660
on Nov 04, 2015
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do the refinish. It is worth it. You will be glad you did in the future.
![Isabelle]()
Isabelle
on Nov 05, 2015
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Mine looked like this,except maybe worse. I used wet towels and soaked the veneer with them for an hour or so, then steamed with steam iron before taking the towels off. This allowed me to literally peel the veneer off and it was ready for new veneer or refinish. I plan to paint mine with chalk paint. I am going to try finding a body shop that will sand blast the iron base.
![Alicia]()
Alicia
on Nov 06, 2015
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I have seen one of these in a friends house. She completely removed the top and had a lovely piece of marble placed on it. It looked great. A bit expensive though :( Maybe if the towel idea doesn't work you may need to take the top off and replace it with another piece of wood. You may be able to find a table top to use as a replacement. Also there are products available from hardware stores that can clean up the metal. All the best I think it will look great once finished.
![Bron]()
Bron
on Nov 06, 2015
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The wood under the veneer is usually better wood. Wet it and strip it. If you don't like it replace all the veneer
![Becky Vaughn]()
Becky Vaughn
on Nov 07, 2015
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I also have a old singer machine I will be watching to see how yours turns out. I planed on removing the old veneer and adding new . The hard part for me is going to be matching the stain. Thinking it will take a few different colours . But its going to be great when done as the rest of it is in great shape. It is the machine I learned to sew on and 45 yrs later taking it back to its former glory is the least I can do. Good luck with your s
![Jean Myles]()
Jean Myles
on Nov 08, 2015
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I believe that replacing the veneer is going to be tricky unless you have had a lot of experience with wood working. If I was you I think I would remove the veneer and refinish the wood under it. Best of luck and please keep us posted, we will all be wondering how its going...
![Deanna Mills]()
Deanna Mills
on Nov 09, 2015
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I saw this done to an old old piece, all veneer was removed and wood underneath stained. I loved the look, very attractive without worrying about old veneer. It is sitting in my friend's living room everyone admires it.
![Jean Luby]()
Jean Luby
on Nov 10, 2015
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We had one like this in family that also suffered through a hot house fire,,,it ended up at a professional restorers.
![Lagree Wyndham]()
Lagree Wyndham
on Nov 10, 2015
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You probably will want to just remove the veneer here. I wouldn't try and replace it though. I would either just stain the wood that is underneath or if it is not looking good enough to stain, you can always paint with chalk paint or textured paint to get a great finish on not so great wood. Good luck!
![The Redesign Habit]()
The Redesign Habit
on Nov 11, 2015
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I have refinished two Singer Sewing Machines and Cabinets. The pictures show a lot of work is needed. I stripped off the veneer and looked at the wood. It was boards pieced together, it didn't match the bottom of the lid which was in very good condition. I made a template out of cardboard. Cut veneer - which I had to do a lot of asking! Finally a friend had a piece in their stash. I glued it down with wood glue, then covered it with clear plastic wrap then weighed it down with a large flat board - cutting board, finally I used extra long clamps from Harbor Freight to secure it. It came out great.
![Deborah Barandiaran]()
Deborah Barandiaran
on May 02, 2016
Janet Pizaro
on Nov 04, 2015
C.c. volpe
on Nov 04, 2015
Z
on Nov 04, 2015
Duv310660
on Nov 04, 2015
Isabelle
on Nov 05, 2015
Alicia
on Nov 06, 2015
Bron
on Nov 06, 2015
Becky Vaughn
on Nov 07, 2015
Jean Myles
on Nov 08, 2015
Deanna Mills
on Nov 09, 2015
Jean Luby
on Nov 10, 2015
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