Question about renovating an old bookcase secretary desk

[ChapterTwo]

I had picked up the bookcase secretary desk before a house was demolished in the late nineties - it sat in the garage of my old house for years, and I took it with me when I moved...always loved this style.

Anyway, I have now painted it white, but there are some wooden "curlicues" (for lack of the technical term!) on the glass doors. and they are very broken, so I want to remove them. Therein lies the dilemma! If I try to pull them off, they will break in a jagged fashion...plus, my biggest worry is that an action causes a reaction and if there is a bit of wood that doesn't come off, it will vibrate into the opposite direction and break the glass. I've tried cutting thru with a box cutter type tool, and I might wind up using that, although it's certainly not speedy and I have to be careful not to go through and cut the glass. I'd love to hear your suggestions, if anyone has any! :o

It is similar to the one pictured here. http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bookcase+secretary&hl=en&sa=G&biw=1377&bih=719&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=yDku-YUwFqJ0UM:&imgrefurl=http://www.hellotrade.com/heritage-lane-antiques/maddox-secretary-bookcase.html&docid=M3rrc0S1Kpa3KM&w=121&h=250&ei=xBIsTtrTDsSCgAebqMCOCw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=173&vpy=186&dur=640&hovh=200&hovw=96&tx=62&ty=105&page=6&tbnh=133&tbnw=66&start=171&ndsp=39&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:171

I would show you the actual piece of furniture, but I am having trouble posting photos in the forum (too large) but that's another problem!:rolleyes:
I think someone had addressed that in another thread so I'll have to go search for that. I have posted in the past and it's the same camera - I never understand why things suddenly go wacky...

[shabbychick]

Chapter Two,

Do you have Microsoft Picture Manager on your computer? There are other similar programs, too, so there may be something under a different name. If you open up your pic in Picture Manager and click on Edit picture, there's a button that says "Compress Picture." It takes the original picture file and makes it smaller. You can compress it to insert into Word docs, e-mail, or web pages. I always choose the web page option. Just select the picture, compress it, and save it with a new name, then when you try to upload it, it'll be the right size, and we'll still be able to click on it and enlarge the thumbnail.

I wonder if there is any kind of glue softener you might be able to soak the perimeter of the wood piece with that would make it easier to pull it off. Good luck. I can't wait to see the picture.

[ChapterTwo]

I don't seem to have Microsoft Picture Manager, Shabby. I use a Lexmark program to upload my photos and then they go into a picture library. I don't see anything that allows me to edit. I'll have to poke around some more when I have a little time. Tnx for trying to help me! I don't understand why I used to be able to post photos and now I can't (it says they're too large). :o

[vintage girl]

You can also use Photobucket. It is free. Upload the picture you want to use, than save the direct picture link to your documents (photos), in word, than load it onto the forum. I was getting the same message, and when I saved them first in Photobucket, than to my computer, it was not a problem. Or you can just post the link to the picture in Photobucket. As far as the secretary, I would use the box cutter method. Time consuming, but it should break the seal. Just go slow, to avoid shattering the glass. You could also maybe spray the curlique with gunk off and let it sit and see if it softens the seal. Good luck and I am anxious to see pics when it is done:)

[allen820]

Hi, Chapter Two. We have almost the same secretary. My parents bought it in the 40's when they were first married. We left it original. It sits in my daughter's livingroom. It is a nice, useful piece and a good way to display your "treasures."

Don't know about removing the wood deco, but I might help with the photo thing. Shabby got me on the right tract a few weeks ago, and from her advise, I found a simple way to post. Just right click on the photo, and click on "e-mail this image." Your pic will automatically be reduced to a size the site will handle. The e-mail box will come up; so just open the e-mailable pic attachment and save back to your picture file as something like "picture(2)." Then that version of your original is the one you can post. Believe me, if there is an easy way, I'll find it!

I hope more folks will post pictures here. It's the best way to share ideas!

Allen

[ChapterTwo]

Interesting, about you having a similar secretary, Allen! The funny part is that the house in which I live now used to belong to my aunt and uncle, and they had one, which I always loved as a kid (strange kid!)

Then, I found this one and couldn't believe my luck. It was in terrible condition - the person had a zillion cats and the piece was all full of scratches. The
decorative wood that I'm trying to get off is not glued down - well, maybe it is, at the edges, but not on the glass. When I slide something under it, it moves away from the glass.

I'm going to try to submit a photo, using your directions and we'll see what happens. :rolleyes:

Nope...I received a message that "upload of file failed". Tnx, Allen. I'll try it again when I have more time and if still no luck, I'll try Photobucket, vintage girl!