r/restoration

Hi all, sorry if this isn’t 100% the right sub. Feels a bit trivial for r/restoration lol but I tried r/cleaningtips and didn’t get much.

The outside of our front door has really “dried out” over the last few years (built in 2021). The pictures show both the outside and inside for comparison. The inside still has a smooth feel to it but the outside feels almost like raw wood. Not sure if I need a specific finish, oil, repaint, a whole combo job or where to even start. Not even sure if this is something I should attempt on my own so please help me with my ignorance. Thank you kindly

So I have this very old and rusty loom and I am going to attempt restoring it. Only bad thing is that I have never restored anything and have no clue what I’m doing 😆. I’ll be watching videos and googling info, so if you guys have any tips or can let me know some good resources, I would very much appreciate it!

I found this in a closet at my parents place and it looks like it’s got wet. I think I made it with acrylic paints. Is there a way to make this look like it hadn’t got wet?

recently picked up this heavy duty secondhand tortilla press, and I am looking for the best way to get it back into a place that isn't actively corroding. I did not spend much on it, and I want to keep the restoration budget friendly. I am not looking to create a museum piece. I just want something that functions well and is actively protected from rusting more.

Here are the details on the press and my setup:

• The Material: I am fairly certain it is steel and not cast iron based on the design and the tack welds. There are no logos or maker marks anywhere, but it looks identical to some unbranded presses I have seen online. It weighs in at just under 13 pounds and the working surface is about 1 foot square.
• The Hardware: Nothing is seized up. The hinges have some surface rust, but they are welded in place. Since the lever moves smoothly, I am not planning to force anything apart or get deeper into the mechanics than necessary.
• My Arsenal: I have an angle grinder, orbital sanders, a power drill with wire wheel attachments, and access to a full shop right down the road.
• The Usage: I will always use parchment paper or plastic to sandwich the dough, so actual food contact with the metal will be limited.

Where I need your advice:

1. The Prep: What is the smartest approach for the peeling paint and rust? Should I use a chemical paint stripper and wire brushes to take the whole thing down to bare metal, or should I just sand the problem areas and blend it? The rust has definitely caused some pitting in the press surface. Is media blasting worth looking into or cost prohibitive?
2. The Coating: Once I handle the rust and grime, what is the best way to protect this thing moving forward? Keeping the parchment paper barrier in mind, should I hit it with high temp paint, could I season the bare metal like a skillet, or use a different approach entirely?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Hey everyone! I’m reaching out because my grandpa had a Montgomery Ward reel mower (I believe it was made by McLane), and I’m thinking about restoring it. This is my first time restoring a reel mower—or any mower, really—so I’m a bit unsure where to start.

I don’t have the year or model/serial numbers, but I’ve attached some pictures. Does anyone have tips, guides, or advice on whether this is even something worth trying? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

recently had a fire in my apartment building that lead to many of my things getting wet, and caused my Great Grandfather's WW2 era chest to mold on the bottom. I don't know if I could clean or restore it, but would like to if I can. does anyone here have the knowledge or resources to help? Anything would be greatly appreciated!

Looking for an ID