Neglected old wooden furniture frequently accumulates dirt and grime, resulting in a dull appearance due to diminished color and luster. With this in mind, antique furniture owners are frequently left wondering how to restore old wood furniture to its former glory. Fortunately, restoring wood furniture is quite simple, and we've created this simple guide so that when the time comes to restore furniture, you'll know exactly what to do for ultimate success.
- Get Ready For Stripping Back
Furniture stripping is a messy but necessary part of wood restoration, so work outside if possible. When working indoors, protect the floors and any nearby furniture and ensure adequate ventilation. To protect the finish on the table's body, cover it with a plastic sheet, leaving only the top exposed. Using an old brush, liberally apply stripper.
- Let the Layers to Dissolve
When refinishing wood, leave the stripper on for five to thirty minutes, or until the finish - a mixture of old varnish and polish - has dissolved. The length of time will be determined by the coating's composition and thickness. If the stripper does not remove all of the layers, simply re-spread the paste and it will keep working.
- Neutralize the Chemical Stripper
Following the grain of the wood, neutralize it with a pad of steel wool soaked in white spirit or proprietary wax and polish remover. Always read the label before using any chemical because different strippers require different neutralizers. Failure to neutralize stripper can allow it to reactivate, causing your wood restoration to fail.
- Clean the Furniture
The following step in refinishing furniture is to wipe away residues with cotton rags and wait 24 hours. Meanwhile, remove dirt and old polish from other areas by using a steel wool pad or coarse cloth and working in small areas at a time. Allow for a few minutes to soften the wax before wiping it away with a clean cloth before it hardens.
- Return to the Top of the Furniture
Use a sanding block and very fine glasspaper to smooth over the wood fibres raised during the stripping process 24 hours after stripping the top - work with the grain. Shake and vacuum the protective sheet to remove any dust that may have settled on the finished piece. Finally, use a tack cloth to clean the top.
- Work on Bleached Wood Areas
When restoring furniture, you'll notice that each piece is unique. For example, because the table was placed beneath a window for many years and the sun bleached some of the wood, applying a mahogany wood dye will make the top a uniform color. Allow stain to penetrate by applying generously with a brush; wipe away excess with a cloth. Work in good light to ensure an even finish.
- When Refinishing Wood, Improve the Sheen and Finish
After it has dried, apply a coat of finishing oil with a brush or lint-free cloth. Allow the oil to penetrate for 10 minutes before wiping away the excess before it becomes sticky. Wait at least five hours before applying another coat and gently rubbing with 0000 gauge steel wool; repeat; the more coats, the greater the durability and sheen.
- The Final Restoration with Wood Restorer
Finally, apply a thin coat of good furniture wax to the entire table. Allow for at least an hour before polishing with a lint-free cloth. Position furniture away from radiators and fires to avoid warping caused by drying out of the wood. Sunlight will bleach the wood, so avoid placing it near a window.
There are a few more tips for restoring furniture at home. Surface dirt and old layers of wax polish can be removed with a homemade mixture of four parts white spirit to one part linseed oil. If the finish still appears lifeless, dab a cotton cloth with proprietary wood reviver and buff vigorously. Finally, refinish the furniture with beeswax polish to bring it back to life.
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