Refinishing antiques is delicate work.
Collecting antiques is a hobby and a passion for many people attracted to the value of nostalgia in the modern world. This hobby is also potentially lucrative for those who may collect diamonds in the rough for resale online or at auction. If you have an antique piece that needs a bit of refinishing to return it to its natural glory, this can be a very daunting task. While the work itself might not be particularly involved, it is important to maintain the integrity of the piece as much as possible. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Research the piece. Before you begin refinishing, it is a good idea to have an understanding of where the piece comes from. Look for brand names or information that may give you some insight into its history. Hire an appraiser to review the piece and suggest restoration techniques to help you avoid compromising the value of the antique.
2. Assess the damage to the piece. For example, if you were refinishing a chair, you may look for rot to the wood frame or rust and cracks in the chair's springs. The amount of damage to the piece will direct how you should proceed. You want to keep as many of the original parts as possible, but sometimes it might be necessary to replace pieces.
3. Clean the piece. Sometimes a good scrub with a non-abrasive cleanser will bring out the beauty of the piece without restoration. When it comes to retaining the value of the piece, it is often better to polish up the original finish than strip it away and start over. Replace the finish if it is sticky, flakes off or shows cracking. Polish the original finish if it is simply faded or lightly scuffed.
4. Sand the surface of the furniture. Use fine-grit sandpaper and sand by hand, or use a palm sander to cover larger surfaces. Sanding the furniture will rough up the finish and prepare it for painting or staining. Sanding will also remove the previous finish and smooth out any imperfections that would be visible once the piece is refinished. After you sand, wipe away dust with a damp cloth.
5. Paint or stain the surface of the furniture once the piece is sanded. If the finish is wood, always paint following the direction of the wood grain. For all other finishes, paint in the same direction, vertically or horizontally as evenly as possible to hide brush strokes. Allow the paint or stain to dry thoroughly between layers.
6. Search estate sales and flea markets for replacement pieces authentic to the era of your piece. For example, if you have an antique wardrobe that you are refinishing, scour thrift stores and salvage yards for antique drawer pulls and hardware that you can use on the piece.
Tags: damage piece, have antique, once piece, original finish, piece example, surface furniture