Antique Furniture Restoration Basics
Acquiring a piece of antique furniture that you can appreciate is an enjoyable experience. However, many older furniture pieces need to be restored for them to look their best and last for years to come. Here are just a few things you should be thinking about if you're considering a furniture restoration project for the furniture piece you've just acquired.
1. Is It Painted?
Especially with antique wood furniture, paint is often used by some owners to cover up imperfections, damage, and other visible problems. You'll want to consider whether or not you can achieve the look that you want from the restoration project in this case.
Restoring painted antique furniture often means that you'll have to be flexible about your end result. This is because you won't know for sure what's under the paint until you start the restoration and strip that paint away. Sometimes, you will find that the furniture underneath the paint is in good condition, which allows you to stain it and enjoy the natural beauty of the furniture. You might remove the paint only to find out that the wood is unsightly and the furniture was painted for that reason. In those cases, you'll likely want to repaint it to preserve the appearance.
2. Does It Need Repair?
Another important thing you need to consider is the structural condition of the furniture. If it needs repair, that must be addressed during the restoration. You should start by taking the time to prep the furniture. Remove any paint or varnish that's on the wood.
Once the wood is exposed, you can evaluate the condition of the furniture. If it's damaged, use a wood filler to patch the damage. Assess each of the joints and connections to be sure that they are secure. Repair any loose ones with either the proper wood glue or fastener to ensure stability and structural integrity. You can proceed with surface restorations once the structural repairs are done.
The more you understand about the proper approach and considerations, the easier it is for you to get your furniture restored to its original beauty. If you aren't comfortable tackling the furniture restoration process on your own, work with a restoration company near you today. A representative from the antique furniture restoration company can help you determine what the furniture needs, how to get it done properly, and how to maintain the furniture in the future.