Heads up about the antique market in Pasadena last weekend

I saw a vendor selling a 'restored' 1920s sideboard that was clearly just painted over with a thick layer of modern latex, sealing in all the original grime. Has anyone else run into this kind of quick cover-up job being passed off as a real finish?

2 comments

2 Comments

eric_price1mo ago

Ngl, it's a huge problem at those kinds of markets now. They slap on that thick paint to hide woodworm damage or old water stains they don't want to fix right. You can usually spot it by the drips on the inside edges they didn't bother to sand smooth. It completely wrecks the value and turns a real antique into a cheap looking craft project.

robert2751mo ago

Look at it from the seller's side though. A lot of that old furniture is just too dark or beat up for modern homes. A fresh coat of paint lets someone see a nice shape instead of just old damage. My sister bought a painted dresser, stripped it, and found perfect wood underneath. Sometimes the paint is just about giving a piece a second life, not hiding problems.