Sanding Antique Furniture

Avoid over-sanding by sanding only the areas that have water damage or an uneven surface.

Refinishing a piece of antique furniture can change the value of the piece in a negative way, so you need to take every precaution to not remove all of the imperfections that make the piece interesting to antique collectors and add character to the piece. Sanding can be one of the most damaging steps during the refinishing process. Once you have decided that you want or need to sand, doing it properly can keep the process from ruining the piece.

Things You'll Need

• 180 grit sandpaper
• 220 grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth

Instructions

1. Sand the uneven or water-damaged surfaces with 180 grit sandpaper. Sand in straight strokes along the grain, rather than across it because crossing the grain will show through any stains or varnishes you apply to the finished piece.

2. Sand over the same areas, once more, with 220 grit sandpaper for a smoother finish.

3. Wipe the entire piece thoroughly with a tack cloth to remove all of the sanding dust. Go over it several times to ensure that you remove all of it. Even the smallest speck of dust will show through your finish and layers of even fine dust can prevent stains and varnishes from adhering to the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can clean and oil a piece of furniture instead of refinishing it at all, you will help the furniture retain its value as an antique.

References

• Refinish Furniture: Sand the Ice In the Winter, But Don't Use Sandpaper on Your Furniture

Resources

• Art Sparx: Quick Charts: Fast Reference