Does refinishing antique furniture devalue it?

Does refinishing antique furniture devalue it?

Much of the value of antiques comes from their age. The patina, or surface wear or oxidation, of a piece is evidence of its age and history, so in most cases, it is prized by collectors. If you destroy the patina during the restoration process, you can dramatically decrease the value of the item.

How do you restore old wood furniture without stripping?

How to restore wood furniture without sanding and stripping

1. Remove any hardware.
2. Wipe on mineral spirits.
3. Clean the surface.
4. Fix the white rings.
5. Fill small cracks and imperfections.
6. Try to fix the dents.
7. Restore the colour with gel stain.
8. Renew the lustre with a wipe-on finish.

How do you refresh antique wood furniture?

The correct method is to rub boiled linseed oil into the wood using a clean lint free cloth. Rub in oil very vigorously until the wood looks replenished and won’t soak up any more linseed oil. With your cloth rub off the excess oil and leave the piece of antique furniture to dry over night.

Is it better to sand or strip furniture?

So then I point out that stripping is faster, and in the case of paint could even be safer than sanding. It’s almost always better to strip than to sand. To begin with, except in cases where the old finish is flaking off, it’s a lot more work to sand than to strip using a paint-and-varnish remover.

What type of finish was used on antique furniture?

Natural shellac was a very popular finish for furniture and floors a century ago. It affords warm color, but has very poor wearability and is easily damaged by both water and alcohol. Shellacked floors were usually redone annually.

When can you not refinish antique furniture?

If it’s a cheap mass-manufactured piece made of particleboard or MDF with a foil or laminate finish, don’t bother refinishing, as it won’t be worth your time, and even paint won’t adhere well to the smooth, plastic-like surface (and is akin to putting lipstick on a pig).

What kind of oil do you use on antique furniture?

Linseed oil was used long ago because it was inexpensive and readily available. Oil finishes are still used today on new and antique furniture, because they are very easy to apply and give a very natural look the the finished wood.

What is the easiest way to refinish wood furniture?

Below are six essential steps that address how to refinish wood furniture and how to strip finished wood:

1. Step 1: Clean the Piece.
2. Step 2: Assess the Furniture’s Current State.
3. Step 3: Remove Old Finish.
4. Step 4: Apply a Coat of Sealant.
5. Step 5: Stain or Paint the Wood.
6. Step 6: Apply a Coat of Finish.

How do you finish antique wood?