Don't Throw Out Your Old Furniture |
Posted: August 20, 2017 |
An old finish, even if it is dull and scratched, can sometimes be rejuvenated without stripping and refinishing. If it can, you stand to save a great deal of time, money, and energy. Completely refinishing a piece of furniture can be rewarding, but it is time consuming and requires a significant amount of care. Few hard and fast rules can be given as to whether a particular surface needs refinishing. Qualities that some may find desirable- such as distress marks, stains, and imperfections in an antique rocker- may be unacceptable to others. In the long run, if the topcoat does not have extensive cracks, flakes, or blisters, the decision depends on your own taste. Indigo Reviews has some great product reviews and ideas you can use for your own project. To establish the condition of the finish, you must clean it thoroughly. Use benzine (not to be confused with benzene or benzol). Soak a soft, clean cloth in benzine and wipe the surface. Use fresh cloths and more benzine until the surface is absolutely clean. Then wipe it dry. Once the dirt has been removed, you may find that the finishis in fine condition, in which case you need only protect it with a good furniture polish. Apply a furniture cleanser-conditioner before using the polish. The conditioner will help restore the natural grain and color of the wood, cover up minor scratches, and condition the furniture against dryness and heat. If the topcoat is shellac, use a conditioner that does not contain water, since water will damage it. Should cleaning and waxing fail to revive the finish, you will have to take further steps. First, find out whether the topcoat is shellac, varnish, or lacquer. Pick an inconspicuous spot and test it with denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner. Use onlt a drop of each. Alcohol will dissolve shellac; thinner will blister varnish. A lacquer finish will be mildly affected by thinner and not at all by alcohol. A finish that is worn but adhering well can be beautifully restored with a new topcoat. To get the new coat to adhere well, you must remove the gloss on the old finish. Use No. 4/0 steel wool and rub the entire piece gently but thoroughly, always following the grain. This will slightly abrade the surface. Follow these simple steps and enjoy the look of your beautiful new furniture.
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