Ronson Pipe Stand (rehab or no?)

[GWD]

I won this last night in tandem with the pipe. I was wondering, do you leave items like this as is, or do you re-furbish them? [huh]

 

[Warbaby]

To refurbish or not is mostly a matter of personal taste. Because I like things to be pristine and perfect, if it were mine, I'd touch up the paint chips in the base (easy for me since I used to be an art restorer at the MMA), but unless you're really good at that sort of thing it's not worth the risk of making it look worse. In any event, I don't think the paint chips are a serious detraction - just signs of age and use. My advice would be to clean it up with a damp cloth dipped in mild soapy water, let it dry well, then give it a coat of a hard paste wax like Trewax or Staples Bowling Alley Wax and buff it up with a soft cloth or small brush. I think you'll be pleased with the results.

 

[GWD]

I didn't realize they needed art restorers in the Mixed Martial Arts. They must break a lot of stuff.

Thanks Warbaby, I'll clean it up like you said.

 

[Cigarband]

The experts on Antiques Roadshow always advise restoration only if done by professionals. If done wrong or badly it really screws up the value. And NEVER refinish antique furniture,
it DESTROYS the value.

 

[LocktownDog]

I would leave it as is. Looks good even with minor imperfections.