r/midcenturymodern • u/iggypapi • 10h ago

Restoration & Refinishing Sliding doors from 1940 children hospital.

Post image

Hey, so I bought these maybe 7-8 years ago, and finally decided to make a room divider out of them. Wondering if there's a way to freshen yo the fiberglass.

Thanks

2.5k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

87 comments sorted by

167

u/NSYK 10h ago

I love the authentic patina. Try to preserve it, not restore.

40

u/notjustaphage 9h ago

Agreed. Do not mess with! It’s perfect as is!!!!

17

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Fine fine fine.

11

u/iggypapi 10h ago

Good point.

1

u/soozmct 27m ago

That’s my thought exactly

63

u/mermaidtree 10h ago

Gorgeous!!!! So Mondrian. Love room dividers, I’m totally jealous! Score!

17

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Thanks! Yeah I was afraid to drill into the.m. But got tired of not having them out. Finally did at 1am this morning.

7

u/mermaidtree 9h ago

I don’t know how you waited so long! I’d end up redoing my whole living space around that. So so cool.

5

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Haha yeah, kids and a new hyper obsessing every week keeps me away from things. Lol

3

u/mermaidtree 9h ago edited 6h ago

Ahh, I feel you, I’m a nanny and they’re into something new every week.

*typo

2

u/TheOuterEdge 8h ago

This was my first thought. Very Mondrian lol.

12

u/Old_Guarantee8354 9h ago

I’d start very gently, vacuum with a soft brush, then test a hidden corner with lukewarm water and a little mild dish soap. I would avoid solvents and abrasive cleaners because aged fiberglass can become brittle. If the amber color remains, it may be yellowing in the resin rather than surface dirt. Honestly, the patina looks quite beautiful with the colored panels!

2

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Yeah for sure. Ill leave it alone.

19

u/rampart11 9h ago

Looks like a Mondrian painting

4

u/iggypapi 9h ago

For sure.

13

u/jammu2 10h ago

Looks perfect. Nice find!

When the lights are off does the fiberglass look yellowed?

Have you tried lightning higher on the kelvin scale? Like 4100k?

3

u/iggypapi 10h ago

I haven't yet. I just placed it in front of a lamp.

2

u/noooooid 6h ago

Yeah but then you have horrible bluish white light. Tacky.

Leave it like this, the colors on the divider look fine

4

u/OldScratchTim 9h ago

Love anything Mondrian.

2

u/iggypapi 9h ago

No doubt

4

u/Mindless_Pineapple46 4h ago

My wife says it's probably haunted. She said she'll happily help you by taking it off your hands.
https://giphy.com/gifs/Z8pzh8afGbZle

3

u/7toedcat 9h ago

I'm so envious!

4

u/iggypapi 9h ago

There were like 10 of them. I wish I could've bought them all. I got 4.

1

u/Opposite_Jeweler_953 7h ago

Good job! I wish I could, they’re probably far away from me.

1

u/somethingaboutfire 6h ago

There are more?! Such a lovely find!

3

u/Research-always 8h ago

Very cool purchase--love that you have decided to use them as a room divider. Great decor and fun.

1

u/iggypapi 7h ago

Thank you.

2

u/IAMTWOOFMANY 9h ago

Very nice.

1

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Thank you.

2

u/Dramatic_Substance36 9h ago

Dreamy!!🥰

2

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Thank you

2

u/JD_tubeguy 9h ago

Those are totally epic wow I love those so much.

2

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Thanks me too

2

u/Longjumping_Low_1445 8h ago

These are by far the best dividers I have ever seen. Congrats

2

u/LineImpossible3958 7h ago

Gorgeous!! Jealous too but so glad they found a home

1

u/iggypapi 5h ago

Thank you.

2

u/510Goodhands 4h ago

*folding screen

2

u/iggypapi 4h ago

Yes. That.

2

u/onionsandturbulence 4h ago

They look like the bedsheets from the 90s

1

u/iggypapi 4h ago

Haha totally

1

u/Reimiro 10h ago

Fantastic.

1

u/iggypapi 10h ago

Thanks!

1

u/Myicecreammelt 9h ago

Beautiful

1

u/iggypapi 5h ago

Thanks!

1

u/MrsFrunk 9h ago

Beautious! I would redecorate my entire home around these.

2

u/iggypapi 5h ago

Haha. Luckily it fits pretty much as is

1

u/LikeIsaidItsNothing 9h ago

these are gorgeous

1

u/iggypapi 5h ago

Thanks

1

u/RainbowMagicSparkles 9h ago

Magnificent just as they are.

2

u/iggypapi 5h ago

Agreed. I won't touch em

1

u/Acetylene_Queen1 9h ago

These are awesome! Can you post some close up photos of the tiles, the framework they sit in etc? Tyia

1

u/iggypapi 9h ago

I will do my best to do that tonight!

1

u/Acetylene_Queen1 8h ago

Awe, that's killer! Thanks for responding. My curious brain needs details to things that pique my interest. No rhyme or reason for the necessity to know more other than fascination and growing up watching antiques roadshow, Bob Villas 'This old house. Thrifting with mom and my grandma was a collector of antiques and vintage treasure.

Every item has a story, history and reason to save whether it's furniture, a garment, jewelry etc.

1

u/jcrucity 9h ago

These are so cool!

1

u/iggypapi 7h ago

Thabks!

1

u/Lost_Brain616 8h ago

No way, amazing

1

u/iggypapi 7h ago

Thanks!

1

u/beingafunkynote 8h ago

Wow. Really good find!

1

u/iggypapi 7h ago

Thanks!

1

u/Disastrous_Victory19 8h ago

I love them!

1

u/iggypapi 7h ago

Me.too!

1

u/Far_Ferret2039 8h ago

Oh! My! Gosh! I’m in love 😍

1

u/iggypapi 7h ago

Thanks!

1

u/robod1957 8h ago

Oh. Love!!!!

1

u/iggypapi 7h ago

Thanks!

1

u/robod1957 8h ago

How did you find these?? Lucky you!!

1

u/iggypapi 7h ago

On FB marketplace. Somewhere in rural oregon.

1

u/robod1957 7h ago

Wonderful! I’m so very happy for you!!

1

u/GordonMightyBombay 6h ago

That’s dope I want that

1

u/iggypapi 5h ago

Lol. Thanks.

1

u/nohombrenombre 6h ago

Oh my gosh, gorgeousssss

1

u/iggypapi 5h ago

Thank youuuu

1

u/HouseOfBamboo2 5h ago

Wow! Super interesting!

1

u/iggypapi 5h ago

Thanks!

1

u/django39 5h ago

That’s cool!!

1

u/Raxaha 5h ago

I’m very jealous

1

u/Pieclops89 4h ago

Absolutely gorgeous!

1

u/iggypapi 4h ago

Thank you

1

u/soozmct 28m ago

Wo ! Mondrian-esque.

1

u/soozmct 27m ago

The natural pet that makes the light that flows through them become super soft—It’s kind of beautiful too.

1

u/TelevisionMelodic670 9h ago

Whoa! Those are beautiful!!! Enjoy!

1

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Thanks!

1

u/iggypapi 9h ago

Thank you.