Restoring A Baby's Cot

[grange]

I have a cot that is at least 70 yrs old. It's a bassinet type with legs attached and made of cane and bamboo and quite sturdy. It has been well used by all the family and now for several grand children. For the last 6 yrs it has been stored in my son's shed and is looking a bit worse for wear. We have another grandchild due in February and I would love to pass the cot on. I have completely failed to find anyone that would bring it back to a useable condition. I've contacted basket makers and a firm in Dorset that claim to restore bamboo and cane but no-one can help. Would anyone out there know where I could try next? Many thanks in hope!

[Mosaic]

What kind of finish is it eg has the cane and bamboo been painted? If so bear in mind this might be lead paint so best left well alone and sealed.
Without seeing the object, and flying blind, I suggest first of all a good old wash with detergent and water then let it air dry. If any of the weave has come away then you can either poke it back in yourself, or try and find some similar product from a craft shop and weave it in.
If the woven element is unpainted you might give it a coat of matt polyurethane varnish which will help it repel dust and be easier to clean in the future.
You have to decide how best you want to treat the legs - remove existing paint or finish, or gently sand and finish with paint to your choice.
You can get paper patterns from companies like Mccalls for quilts and cot bumpers.

[grange]

Thank you very much Mosaic! The cot has never been painted. There is some old woodworm in the legs and there is some cane wrapped round parts of the legs that is coming away but could be glued back.A very good idea to give it a coat of varnish, it would certainly look better! Can we varnish the bamboo as well do you think?

[The Builder]

Sounds like a nice project, Grange. I've made some simple repairs to a couple of cane and bamboo chairs. It's not difficult to cut out any rotted bamboo and let a new piece in. Polyurethane woodworker's glue would be ideal because of its strength.

If you Google "basket and cane supplies", there are several sources for materials.

If you didn't feel up to it yourself, then all you need is a keen local crafty person. A lot of retired guys love doing this sort of thing. It doesn't necessarily need a specialist company.

[grange]

Thank you! I think we can probably do it ourselves. A nice project as you say and a bit of a challenge!

[Mosaic]

A high-class antiques buff would probably disagree, but IMO polyurethane varnish will be fine for all areas. Natural string wound tightly and staurated with glue will work for a leg 'mend' and won't look to bad either, especially if you don't mind a shabby chic finish. One of the problems with bent cane and bamboo is that once broken it 'springs' and is the very devil to fix back in place, which is where binding with string and glue will help.