Pipe Ashtray Restoration.

[Jbrewer2002]

I picked this ashtray up on eBay for $25. It didn’t look bad when I got it but the finish was yellowing and it had some scratches and finish coming off. I stripped it and realized it was walnut. So I sanded and refinished it with about 6 coats of pure tung oil. I think it turned out nice. I also reshaped the pipe rest a bit. The bottom picture is the before

 

[Jbrewer2002]

Another before

 

[verporchting]

More better! Nice!

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Very nicely done! ️

 

[BCF]

Tung oil finishes are beautiful. Nicely done!

 

[hall222]

Excellent job! I've seen that ashtray a few times and will probably pick one up at some point.

 

[El Capitán]

Well that makes me feel tingly in all the right places Looks good!

 

[Jbrewer2002]

Tung oil finishes are beautiful. Nicely done!

They are but man, it takes forever to cure. This was my first time with pure tung oil and I think I put the coats on a little to heavy.

 

[BCF]

They are but man, it takes forever to cure. This was my first time with pure tung oil and I think I put the coats on a little to heavy.

I know what you mean! It can take a month to really be set, but it's worth it. Keep after it!!

 

[AreBee]

I just picked up the exact same piece for $18 in an antique store. I thought of this post as soon as I saw it!

I am going to give it a light sanding and I very much like the look that the tung oil gave it! A new cork knocker is on order too. Pics to come!

 

[Hillcrest]

Nicely done ! I'm slightly inspired to rehab mine. I believe I have two of those ashtrays, one on a brass stand and one loose. I'll have to order the cork knockers and maybe wood pipe holders. Thanks !

 

[kcghost]

Nice job!!

 

[AreBee]

Well, after quite a bit of sanding I am not loving the grain. There are a couple small cracks too. I may just finish with a semitransparent black stain to match some of the other furniture in the room.

 

[huntertrw]

jbrewer2002:

That's beautiful! Was it manufactured by Decatur Industries?

 

[Jbrewer2002]

jbrewer2002:

That's beautiful! Was it manufactured by Decatur Industries?

I’m not sure. I couldn’t find any markings on it. I replaced the felt on the bottom and didn’t see anything under the old either.

 

[Jbrewer2002]

Well, after quite a bit of sanding I am not loving the grain. There are a couple small cracks too. I may just finish with a semitransparent black stain to match some of the other furniture in the room.

View attachment 318860

I’m sure a dark stain will look nice also. If you would like to make the grain pop more you may need to sand just a bit deeper. Once it’s sanded wipe a wet cloth on it and that will give you a close preview of what it would look like with Tung oil.

 

[AreBee]

I’m sure a dark stain will look nice also. If you would like to make the grain pop more you may need to sand just a bit deeper. Once it’s sanded wipe a wet cloth on it and that will give you a close preview of what it would look like with Tung oil.

Well, your work inspired me to try the Tung Oil. I've got five coats on it and I am really liking the look. The pipe holder piece looks to have taken the oil a little differently and appears a little more red than the base. I've been doing a coat every 24 hours and I think I'm done. i will drop a couple pics when I put it back together.

 

[upnorth1]

Nice job and nice ashtray/pipe stand.

 

[ssjones]

Tung oil finishes are beautiful. Nicely done!

yep, thats the way to go!

 

[AreBee]

I’m happy with the way it came out after five coats. I did some research and I am fairly confident this is a Decatur product. Thanks for the inspiration @Jbrewer2002 !