How to Finish Old Wood
Finishing old wood is a rewarding pastime for many. It is a valuable skill to learn not only for the excitement that comes with it but also due to the fact that most professional refinishers will charge you an arm and a leg for their services. Nearly the same quality work that you would receive from a professional can just as easily be done on your own. Finishing antique wood will require a few special tools in addition to your patience. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Bucket
- Household detergent
- Screwdriver
- Wood restorer product
- Wood stripping gel
- Scrubbing pad
- Cloth
Instructions
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Clean the furniture thoroughly. Remove all hardware using a screwdriver and place in a bucket of warm soapy water. Let the hardware sit for at least an hour. Use a soft bristle brush to scrub hardware. Rub wood furniture gently with a damp cloth removing any dust and dirt.
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Consider your options. Decide whether you want to strip the furniture of its current finish and restore it to its original look or if you just want to make the piece shine for display or everyday use.
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Try finishing the wood with a furniture restorer product. Dr. Woodwell Wood Elixir is one choice and can be purchased online. Rub the product onto the old wood, wait a few minutes, and wipe it off. Follow manufacturer's instructions for additional details.
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Strip the piece if necessary. Purchase a furniture stripping gel from any home improvement store. Citristrip is a common type of gel that works efficiently and quickly on wood surfaces. Apply a thick coat of gel to the furniture. Wait approximately 15 minutes until the gel beads up and creates bubbles all over the wood. Rub the wood with a scrubbing pad to remove the gel and any finish that was previously on the wood. Repeat this process if necessary.
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Wash the wood and allow it to dry outside thoroughly. Rub in a good quality wood oil for added luster. Pure Tung Oil Finish is inexpensive and can be purchased online.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit antique desk image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
