How to Refinish Antiques

One of the most popular misconceptions about antiques is that they should never be refinished or restored. Antiques Roadshow executive producer Peter J. Cook firmly debunked that notion when he stated in a letter to Professional Refinishing magazine that "refinishing and restoration usually enhances the value of ... any piece of old furniture". The trick is to refinish antiques gently and carefully, using the right products. Here's a basic how-to for refinishing antique furniture.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Goggles
• Chemical resistant gloves
• Varnish or paint remover
• Inexpensive natural bristle brushes
• Scotchbrite (maroon or gray)
• Stiff plastic bristle brush
• Empty coffee cans
• Plastic or metal paint scrapers
• Paste wax
• Kitty litter

1. Appraise your furniture. In most cases, refinishing or repairing antique furniture will only increase its value and beauty. If you have a very rare and valuable piece--museum quality furniture, in other words--you shouldn't attempt to refinish it yourself.

2. Decide if refinishing is the best option. Refinishing is your best option if any of the following are true:
   The finish is flaking off in large areas.
   The finish is cracked or crazed over large surface areas.
   The piece is sticky after being cleaned.
   The finish has turned opaque and hides the wood.
   The piece has been painted or just plain looks terrible.
   There are dark rings and spots under the wood.

3. Try cleaning the piece of furniture before attacking it with solvent and scrapers. Wash the antique with soapy water to see if removing grime and dirt make a difference. Often, if there's little damage to the wood, all that's needed is a good cleaning and an application of paste wax to make your antique furniture really shine. If cleaning doesn't do the trick, it's time to break out the paint stripper.

4. Pour some of the paint stripper into an empty coffee can or empty paint can to make it easier to apply. Using a natural bristle brush, paint a thick coat of paint stripper onto the surface of the piece of furniture. Work quickly to spread the stripper as evenly as possible over the wood surface without painting back and forth.

5. On large, flat surfaces like dresser tops, pour paint stripper directly on the wood surface, then spread quickly with a natural bristle brush.

6. Wait ten minutes or the length of time specified in the container directions for the paint stripper, then check to see if the finish has loosened enough to be scraped off easily. If not, wait a little longer or add more stripper.

7. Remove the stripper and old finish with a plastic or metal scraper. On areas that are rounded or carved, use a stiff-bristled brush or Scotchbrite to scrub away the stripper and finish. The stripper will be a gel-like goo that you can scrape off the scraper and drop into a container full of kitty litter. This will make disposal easier. Remove as much finish as you can using the scraper and brushes.

8. Wash down your furniture piece with lacquer thinner and a Scotchbrite pad to remove any remaining finish and the wax residue from the furniture stripper.

9. Wipe down with heavy duty paper towels or shop rags and more lacquer thinner to be sure that all of the finish has been removed from your antique furniture piece. If there are shiny spots on the wood, try using a little more stripper or scrub with Scotchbrite pad and lacquer thinner.

10. Allow your piece of furniture to dry overnight before continuing.

11. Apply desired finish when wood is completely dry. Follow package directions for best results.

Tips & Warnings

• Use toothpicks to get at paint or stain that is crusted in crevices or carved work.
• Always work in a well-ventilated area as paint stripper can release toxic fumes.
• Wear safety equipment like goggles and rubber gloves to avoid injury from the caustic fumes and splatters.

Resources

• Finishing for First-timers from Popular Woodworking

[Kallicat]

on 1/4/2009 Great tips and I will be using your information when it comes time for me to refinish an antique dresser.

[chameleon]

on 12/29/2008 Tiger oak is one of the most beautiful woods ever grown. Such a shame for someone to do that to it... I can see why you'd strip that off. Thanks for your comments!

[deepthinkin]

on 12/29/2008 Thanks for the tips - I try to leave my pieces in as found condition as much as possible because all the dings and coloring is the pieces history and story. But then there are instances where someone paints over stunningly beautiful tiger oak wood...sigh.. Those I do strip down.

[AprilThomas]

on 12/29/2008 Good tips for those who love antiques.