WOOD TRIM RESTORATION - Trying recommended methods

We try out multiple methods for restoring the old trim - viewer recommended, internet recommended, book recommended and our own ideas for restoring the original 120+ year old wood trim with multiple issues from years of abuse and lack of maintenance.

This is the story of our often funny and very real journey renovating an abandoned 120+ year old Queen Anne Victorian House in quirky Syracuse New York. We are participating in the Syracuse Land Bank Program. We are Jim and Lindsay and we try to be kind to each other and the planet, so our renovation is part restoration and part Eco-conscious renovation, melding both into a classic home that will have stellar energy efficiency and a healthy reduced chemical impact for the centuries to come.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:38 Need to know final trim color for matching restored wood windows
2:07 Alligatoring shellac
2:54 Using old trim pieces as testers
3:07 Some products to test for restoring old wood trim
3:52 Testing plain water to clean
4:14 Testing common multi-purpose cleaner
4:28 Testing diluted Krud Kutter
4:44 Using a scrub brush on old wood trim to clean
5:15 Testing denatured alcohol + 0000 steel wool
5:35 Challenges using steel wool on wood
6:05 Result of denatured alcohol with 0000 steel wood
6:19 Comparing results of denatured alcohol with Krud Kutter
7:15 Testing stainable and pre-stained wood fillers on old wood trim
7:58 Testing High performance wood filler for large defects
9:14 Testing how well Restor-a-finish can stain stainable wood filler
9:26 Results of stainable wood filler = Meh
9:50 Results of high performance wood filler on old trim large defects
10:22 The fine print about high performance wood filler
11:30 Head to head comparison of Denatured alcohol vs Krud Kutter
12:47 Results of different wood fillers on old trim
13:38 Attempting to match restoration results for different issues
14:17 Testing Denatured alcohol using 0000 Steel wool on alligatored shellac on old wood trim
15:05 Testing Denatured alcohol using a brush on alligatored shellac on old wood trim
15:34 Reviewing the different methods and results for restoring alligatored shellac on old wood trim
16:44 Full strength Krud Kutter with 220 grit sandpaper removes alligatored shellac and retains original wood trim integrity
16:54 Testing wood putty for scratches
19:08 Using sandpaper instead of steel wool discussion
20:00 Testing a Fill stick for scratches on old wood trim (two thumbs up)
20:46 Testing Krud Kutter on well preserved old wood trim
21:40 Applying Restore-a-finish on well preserved old trim cleaned with Krud Kutter
22:26 Finding one method to address all the old trim finish problems and achieving consistent outcomes
24:54 Jim finds an old bank bag stashed behind the dumbwaiter
27:17 Maya, sweet Maya

[melaniehall]

“You have to eat an elephant one bite at a time.” That saying has been my light at the end of the tunnel through so many projects. You got this Miss. Lindsay!

[rooneymeadows]

Kaleb from The 2nd Empire Strikes Back is restoring a house in St Louis. He may have some good suggestions on the wood restoration. Just an FYI. Great job, you two!

[ponyofishsticks]

I've never seen a video more deserving of a like and share this was incredibly informative and helpful ❤ Thank you

[deborahelmore]

Denatured alcohol is the best - with 4 ought steel wool. What you have on your wood trim is orange shellac (no stain.) It discolors and alligators over time. Classic wood finish when your house was built. I use old tooth brushes (Oral B really holds up best) and dental picks (Harbor Freight) for grooves and hard to reach places. String can be useful on turnings. For window sash, I take them out, remove glass, and use a heat gun on the exterior and alcohol on the interior. We rerope the sash cords and reputty the glass. Then I varnish the interior with shellac and prime/paint the exterior before installing the sash again.

[KrisanthiaMum]

You and Mr Jim have given so much love and thought into this Grand Lady. Good to see all the different methods and the outcome. I think you will get a lot of good information from Kaleb and Kim and I also think they would be more than willing to give you some good information. I guess it all depends on what you want and not what others think you need ☺️ Maya is such a sweetheart OXOXOX’s give her some love from us 🥰

[jennbell]

Laine and Kevin @ Our Restoration Nation are also renovating very old homes down south and Laine recommends Abatron for wood repair. She’s very knowledgeable about architecture and all things old homes. The Grand Lady is coming along and can’t wait for your next episodes! 😊

[kaybonette]

I follow a couple on YouTube called 1834 Restoration House. 3 days ago they posted a video on stripping paint off a fireplace surround and then cleaning it with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits (sorry can't remember which) and then put new shellac and it came out beautiful. Mike is an engineer and a perfectionist and is such a good teacher. They restore old houses too. You might really enjoy watching that episode. Regards, Kay

[TheGrandLady]

Thanks for all the Great suggestions! I did go find the 2nd Empire video showing window trim paint stripping. (I think I found the right one) I feel for them and all that paint removal!! Big difference we have with ours is that luckily we don't have to strip the wood as it wasn't painted so-- I can leave more of the "character and patina" in place and just clean it and spiff it up. I don't want to sand or strip it off. We lost so much of the other house character from the water fiasco... Thinking about it I guess I need the trim to look a bit old for my psychological health - haha.. it's working though, we're happy seeing things looking clean and original. Kaleb and Kim's trim does look lovely -I agree.

[missedwinamae]

So much love involved in the restoration of The Grand Lady.

[pamelagreen]

Murphy’s oil soap might do a good job on the dirty areas.

[jonilore]

I recommend watching the Restoration Nation channel for tips on restoring windows.

[JW-eigw]

I like how often people mention Kaleb and Kim on their restoration. Thanks again for taking the time to share your restoration experience. It's coming along pretty nice. 😃

[dwightlindgron]

Check with Laine from Restoration nation in Missouri she and her husband are amazing!

[annarepke]

Thank you for doing all the experiments for me! It's going to save me lots of time!

[KatyTheDogLady]

Wait! I need more info on the McDonalds Heist. And thank you for sharing your journey. I learn so much watching you guys 💜💜💜

[margaretwood]

Lots of decisions!! I agree with your choices. The Krud Kutter seems to give it a much richer look. Great job, you two

[alextirrellRI]

I do think it would be best to just take it all off and use new shellac and not stain -- another recommendation to do what Kaleb & Kim are doing -- what they're doing looks AMAZING with new shellac and polishing wax!

[annsosie]

Good detective work 🕵️‍♀️ The trimwork is beautiful. I think McDonald’s is calling you 😂

[BrentsTreehouse]

I like your systematic experimental approach! I'm doing something similar on a 1930s house, with alligatoring of the shellac and the stain having darkened. I would prefer to restore the trim in place, although it might be easier to work on if I remove.

So many people these days say just to paint the trim, but I'd prefer to see the wood.

[margaretorden]

I like your theories about the cash bag! Well done with all your trim experiments. Maya is just too cute!