One of the most common means of furniture restoration is furniture refinishing. Refinishing furniture can breathe new life into pianos, tables, chairs, cabinets, bookcases, jewelry boxes and other items that have started to look a little bit worn. With any furniture restoration project – and furniture refinishing is no exception – there are a few things to consider. First, you want to think about whether or not you can do it yourself. You may be thinking, “Why couldn’t I tackle furniture refinishing myself? All it takes is a few hours, some sandpaper and new stain.” While in many cases this is true, some furniture restoration should be left to the pros. Another professional who you may want to consult before taking on a furniture restoration project is an antiques appraiser. While refinishing furniture you bought new can help give the piece more character or even help you to sell it for a profit at a yard sale, there are rare and collectible pieces of furniture that will lose value if they are refinished. When you’ve bought an antique dining room table, coffee table or cabinet, furniture refinishing could lower the value of the piece and you may want to look into a thorough professional cleaning instead.

Furniture refinishing, however, is not just about removing the old finish. Refinishing furniture requires stripping the old finish and then preparing the surface for a new finish by sanding the surface and wiping down the sawdust that sanding stirred up. Only after the surface has been prepared can you start the final step in this furniture restoration project: applying the new finish. Refinishing the furniture, therefore, means knowing what the new finish will be. For some, the goal of refinishing furniture is to strip off color, get back to the natural wood and apply a clear finish that shows off the item’s natural beauty. For others, furniture refinishing is a matter of taking the wood to a darker shade – staining pine so that it takes on the color of cherry or mahogany wood. Furniture restoration, after all, is a personal choice. Refinishing furniture gives you a chance to create a new look without going out and buying something new. For those inclined to take on little projects on their own, refinishing furniture can be a great way to spend a weekend – and have something to show for their time, for years to come.

Even in the most careful of environments, accidents to furniture can happen. Don’t despair, there are ways to help repair the damage and avoid a costly replacement.

Prevention is always better than cure. Although there are many commercial furniture spray cleaners, it always a good idea once a month to add extra protection to your wood by applying a 100% Beeswax product. Ensure when this is applied it is thoroughly polished into the wood leaving no residue.

Grease – Remove grease at soon as possible using a paper towel, id left untreated for any time, it will leave a permanent dark mark. Wipe over the area with a soft cloth that has been dipped in a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.

Alcohol Stains

Blot up spill immediately and rub the area with Brasso (metal polishing fluid). Then polish along the grain with a soft cloth.

Water Marks

Mop up as soon as possible as water will cause unvarnished or un waxed wood to swell. Allow surface to dry, then rub as for Alcohol Stains, with a metal polish, making sure you rub along the grain of the wood.

Heat Marks

To prevent heat marks use table mats to protect the wood. However, if damage does occur, rub metal polish along the grain or apply a paste of vegetable oil and salt. Leave for a couple of hours and polish.

Slight Burns

On veneered you may need to cut out the damage and insert a new piece, due to the thinness of the veneer. For solid wood proceed as follows. Rub the burn with metal polish, scrape and sand the surface. Place wet blotting paper over the mark, cover with glad wrap and leave overnight. Then polish as normal.

Serious Burns

These may require professional treatment, but if you feel confident to do this yourself proceed as follows. Scrape out the burnt part with a sharp knife. Fill the scar with matching wood filler. Allow to dry and sand down with fine sand paper. Paint the area to match the grain with artists paints.

Dents

Treat as soon as possible. Dented veneer may split and then will need to be cut out and replaced. Fill the dent with warm water and leave to swell.

Scratches

Use a matching coloured wax crayon or boot polish and rub into the scratch. Rub with beeswax polish and a drop of linseed oil, polish well.

Stuck Paper

Paper that has become stuck to the wood can be removed by rubbing baby oil in . Leave this for a few minutes then gently peel away, removing any residue with a dry soft cloth.

To Revive Dull Polish Make the following mixture. 2 spoons turpentine, 2 spoons white vinegar, 2 spoons of methylated spirits and 1 spoon of linseed oil. Mix together well and apply with a soft dry cloth.

To Remove Surplus Polish

Mix equal parts vinegar and water, apply with a damp cloth and wipe off immediately.