Wood Refinishing Antique Furniture Tips
Antique furniture is beloved by many collectors, and for good reason. It is beautiful, sentimental, and can even increase in value over the years. Many people decorate their homes with antiques, while some hand their antique pieces down as family heirlooms. You’ll find that some antique furniture pieces have lost their finish and need some work. Wood refinishing antique furniture is something that should be done with great care and is probably best left to an expert.
If you are interested in learning more about the process or want to attempt the job on your own, you should first know what kind of wood and what kind of finish you are dealing with. Antique furniture was commonly crafted from woods like walnut, oak, mahogany, cherry, elm and pine. Some pieces featured wood veneer for added interest. One popular veneer material now and in the past is Carpathian elm burl. Most pieces were finished with lacquer, stain or shellac. When refinishing, the first step is to take off any existing finish.
There are products designed to remove wood finish. When dealing with an antique, the gentler the product, the better. After removing the finish, you need to clean and sand the wood. A filler or primer may need to be applied before the stain or varnish. If you are doing the job yourself, wear safety glasses and do the work in a well ventilated area or preferably outdoors. Honestly, it’s probably best to leave the refinishing of an expensive antique to a pro. You don’t want to ruin a priceless piece with improper refinishing techniques or products.
When hiring a wood refinishing antique furniture expert, make sure they have experience dealing with wood furniture like yours. They should know a good deal about the wood and the finish they are dealing with. You may want to do some comparison shopping and obtain several quotes before making your final decision. A good refinishing professional can restore a piece of antique furniture back to its splendid glory. If the hardware is worn or broken, you can even find replacement hardware that is identical to what is on the piece. You’ll be amazed at how new your antique piece looks after it’s been worked over. A good refinishing job as needed can help you preserve your furniture for future generations to enjoy.
