Things You'll Need:
- Soft cloths
- Small soft-bristle brushes
- Light steel wool
- Oil soap
- Small, sharp wood dowels
- Antique finishing solution
- Stripper gel
- Lacquer
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Step 1
Clean the furniture thoroughly. Sometimes after a good cleaning, you'll find that the furniture doesn't need refinishing after all. Rub very lightly to remove old wax and polish, but not hard enough to remove any of the original finish that may be intact.
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Step 2
Inspect the piece carefully before barging in on the refinishing. Make sure corners and edges are free of dust and buildup. Decide if you want to restore it to its original condition, retaining its antique status, or just make it usable.
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Step 3
Remove all the hardware and clear off any finish buildup. Set the hardware aside to tackle as a separate refinishing job.
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Step 4
Try using a restoring product that could bring back the piece to its original condition without stripping. Restor-A-Finish is one product available through the Rockler Woodworking and Hardware website.
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Step 5
Apply a stripper gel to the wood once you've determined you need to strip the piece. Directions on the product typically call for waiting as long as 24 hours between coats of stripper. Rub with steel wool once the piece is dry. Feel for the smoothness that will not reflect any flaws.
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Step 6
Finish the wood accordingly, using an oil or lacquer. The closer to the original finish you can get, the more the piece can retain collectible status. Polyurethane is not recommended for collectible antiques; it wasn't invented when the piece was made.
