How to Restore Old Wood Furniture

Over time, your wood furniture can become worn and in need of repair.

Wood furniture can add a classy feel to your home or office, but the opposite is also true. Without proper care, your wooden furniture can lose its luster and go from classy to trashy. You can take steps to keep your old wooden furniture in good repair, though. If you take the time to make minor touch-ups to the damaged areas of the wood and even apply some polish every now and then, you may be surprised at the difference it makes.

Things You'll Need

• Wood stain
• Paintbrush
• Cotton swabs
• Cloth
• Dry cleaning fluids
• Sandpaper
• Wood glue
• Dish detergent
• Furniture polish

Instructions

1. Examine the wood furniture and try to identify what caused some of the blemishes in your furniture. Different types of damage will require different treatments. For example, a scratch may require a fine layer of finish to hide it from view, while you may be able to buff out blemishes like burns.

2. Mix hot water with a colorless dish detergent to lift out stains. This works for things like juice, soda, blood and alcoholic drinks. Rub the stain until it is mostly gone and then blot the washed area dry.

3. Apply wood stain to blemishes and cracks with a fine paintbrush. Only apply the new stain to the blemished area. Wipe away excess stain with a cotton swab before it has a chance to darken the area around the blemish.

4. Buff away buildup on the wood with a sturdy cloth dampened with dry cleaning fluid. Dig into the cloth with your fingers if the buildup is particularly tough. This method works for things like crayon wax and candle wax. Blot away any excess moisture with a dry absorbent cloth.

5. Check the legs and arms of the furniture for any loose ends. If a chair leg or armrest is loose, you may need to apply a new layer of glue to the socket in order to steady it.

6. Pull the wooden limb from the socket in order to apply a new coat of glue. Some limbs may have a nail securing them into the socket, so use caution as you extract them from the wooden socket. Sand the inside of the wooden socket as well as the end of the wooden limb.

7. Coat the tip of the wooden limb with clear wood glue. Insert it back into the wooden socket. Hold it in place for at least five minutes so the glue can properly hold the limb. Do not put weight on the limb for another 30 minutes.

8. Dust off the wood before you begin polishing. Apply polish to the wood with a sturdy cloth. Rub the polish in a circular motion until the wood has a nice shine. Let the first coat of polish dry before you apply another.

References

• Oak Plus Furniture: Helpful Tips and Tricks
• Home Furnish: Wood Furniture Care