The problem I have with it is the color. It's red red. The writing on it says CALIFORNIA "L.A." CHARLIE. All I can think was it was a joke given to someone who was going to move? I don't know where Dad got it, I'm sure it was picked up at an auction. It hung in my parents garage for as long as I can remember. I'd like to strip it down to the natural wood. I'm just so hesitant to do this and I don't know why.I'm looking for advice from all of you...what do you think, strip it down or not? Should I rough it up and stain it with walnut strain? I don't' display it because the color is just not my prim muted color. I'm trying to figure out if the writing is quaint or not? I am not an indecisive person so this is driving me crazy. HELP!! 
Thanks for your input. ~Ann
Thanks for your input. ~Ann
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Ann I would leave the words just sand it and use your walnut stain on it. I like leaving things as is for the most part. I have a pewter piece that has writing on it too. I just turn it around so no one can see it.
ReplyDeleteMary
I would sand and stain it leaving the words in tack for right now......and if you didn't like it that way then go for the natural wood. HAve you looked anything up on the web about the saying? I would do that...if you don't like what it means then take it off..I know I am not help..I have a hard time with making these kinds of decisions...Lisa
ReplyDeletei would stain it so it looks very old and then hang it even if it doesn't match perfectly...it is a memory and use it to bring a smile to your face.
ReplyDeleteSchool is going good..the girls are working hard and so busy...I think we all need to slow down..will that happen??? I just don't know. The older they get the more thing interrupt our lives. Dianntha
I would sand it to show some of the wood and then stain with dark walnut to mute the color. Hang from your ceiling with baskets on each end. I really like it!!!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of us are thinking alike...sand and then stain...it will darken the paint and look as though it has been used forever! It is a very nice piece!
ReplyDeleteAnn ~ I'm with the others...I would sand some so that wood shows through the color and then stain it so that it takes the "red" red to a more muted or darker red. I would actually probably sand most of the color off and leave traces of red. I love the idea of hanging baskets on it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like we share the same idea. I would rough it up-maybe bang it up to make nicks and dents, sand(alot) and stain it. The words are probably important to someone. They say if you want it to retain $value, leave it as is. But if you want it to fit your decor/ideals, do it to make you feel happy. Sounds like raw wood is to your liking. If so, you should sand id down and stain.
ReplyDeleteI would probably give it a really good sanding with 100 grit sandpaper...then throw some walnut stain on it!...that should mute it for you!
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you are looking to strip it down...use some heavy duty oven cleaner on it...that should take all that paint off and then walnut stain it!
An interesting piece! I would worry about devaluing it...but if that doesn't matter , then I would leave the printing alone and use some darker brie wax on it..
ReplyDeleteAnn,
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen anything like this before, but I would simply sand a bit and add stain to it to mute the color. That would I am sure help the red not be so bright. Good Luck!!
~Lisa
I have to agree that leaving the word intact is a good thing to do but change out the color.
ReplyDeleteIt's really a great looking item.
Karen