Give Your Old Wood Furniture A New Look
Most furniture made prior to 1920 had a protective shellac finish. Over time, shellac darkens, cracks and needs to be removed. Chemical strippers might be as well harsh for this project, so use denatured alcohol instead. It soaks into the shellac and dissolves the finish so it can be wiped off. Note: this method will not impact polyurethane, which forms a plastic-like coating that should be sanded off. Old varnish or shellac can be identified by a black crackled finish. Crackling occurs with age and modifications in temperature. Polyurethane does not deteriorate this way.
Start the process of stripping down the surface by placing plenty of newspapers down to shield the floor from drips and spills. Wear rubber gloves and keep an additional pair handy in case the original ones get too sticky from the dissolved shellac. Be certain to be operating in a nicely-ventilated region. Eliminate any drawers or doors and refinish them separately. Unscrew all fixtures, knobs, and hinges, Refinish them if needed.
Usually function on a horizontal plane. Pour a wholesome amount of denatured alcohol more than the surface. Use paper towels to gently spread alcohol around. Wait a number of minutes for the alcohol to penetrate the finish. Wipe off alcohol and dissolved finish with paper towels. Apply more alcohol as essential for stubborn locations. A soft brush is helpful for removing difficult spots. Make certain the color is even. Repeat the same process for the faces of the drawers. Stand the drawers on end so that the drawer faces are horizontal. Do this for the front and sides of the furniture as well.
Once all of the old finish is removed from the furniture, use a solution of water and a mild detergent to wash off all the treated surfaces and make sure they are clean. Dry off the surfaces with a clean cloth. If preferred, restain the surface with fine steel wool to smooth out the grain. Then use a small brush or a clean cloth to eliminate the final bits of steel wool from the wood.
Apply several layers of antique oil finish to surface of the wood, following manufacturer's directions. Pour out a small amount of oil to work with and spread each layer of oil evenly more than the surface of the wood with a clean, lint-free cloth. With the exception of the final coat of oil, lightly buff the surface of the furniture with steel wool following each coat of oil dries.
Removing the old finish before fixing any dents, scratches or loose fixtures. But take care not to repair the surface so a lot that it loses to fine, aged character and individuality. Fix and polish broken or tarnished fixtures, or replace them with reproductions to complete the revival.
Prior to restoring make particular the furniture is in good structural condition. If there are any matching pieces, give them the same therapy. Even furniture that includes small relief detail can be smoothly restored with the aid of a brush. To eliminate the old finish from difficult-to-reach surfaces, use a soft toothbrush. It fits easily into tiny nooks and crannies. Do you wish to know even more regarding vieux bois, please see our informative website?
