The chest of drawers is a seventeenth century French Louis XIV,
shown above after treatment in its full glory.

We continue from the previous post on the Louis XIV Chest, 1, Woodworking.

This post covers samples of
treatment for pest infestation.

The structure was undermined severely in the drawers from
a very old pest infestation.
Some of the damage occurred from poor woodworking repairs; we needed to fill the punky wood and pest holes.  A mixture of Rhoplex® with and without strengtheners was mixed and injected into the punky wood and vacant  bore holes.

Sometimes a needle was used.

Sometimes the mixture was slathered on like icing on a cake.

Drawer after treatment.

The bottoms of all the drawers needed
treatment, as well as the sides, below.

Carcass Damage

Before

After

Before

After

After

After

After

The interior of the carcass was treated, with both traditional woodworking repairs,
such as new slides or reparation of near breaks of the drawer supports,
as well as Rhoplex® as needed for pest infestation consolidation.
Before and after treatment, above.

Before

After

The outside back was also similarly repaired, and all pest holes filled.
Before and after treatment, above.

We move to Veneer and Finish!

Written by Kate Powell, ©MPF Conservation.
May be printed for your own use ONLY, not for use on blogs without permission.