How to Restore a Worn Wood Finish

Restore wood furniture to bring back its original shine.

Wood furniture and flooring looks great when it is new, but over time the finish on the wood can become worn due to use. If you have a coffee table, chair or some other object that is not damaged but has had the finish worn down to a dull look, it is possible to bring the shine back with a little effort. In many cases, you can repair the damage without having to completely strip the wood.

Things You'll Need

• Razor blade
• Pumice stone
• Mineral oil
• Soft cloth
• Water
• 220 silicone-carbide sandpaper
• Paintbrush
• Wood finish

Instructions

1. Scrape the underside of the piece with a razor blade to determine the type of finish with which you are dealing. Varnish will create yellow shavings, while shellac will create white.

2. Remove water stains, which show up as white spots or hazy places, with a pumice stone and mineral oil. Rub in a circular pattern to remove the mark and then rub with the grain to hide the circular pattern swirls.

3. Clean the entire surface with a damp cloth to remove grime, and dry immediately with a dry cloth.

4. Sand wood surface with a 220 silicone-carbide sandpaper to buff the wood a little and smooth out minor scratches.

5. Paint on a new coat of the same type of finish that you found in Step 1.

Tips & Warnings

• If the wood finish is badly worn, it is probably better to remove it entirely and apply a new finish instead of a top coat. Remove the finish with an antique restorer to avoid stripping away the stain. Apply the restorer with a bronze wool to avoid chemical reactions. Apply with the grain. Once finished, let the wood dry for a day before applying a finish. Apply at least two coats of finish and sand with 220-grit paper in between coats.

References

• TruValue: Repair Furniture Surfaces: Finishes
• Utah State University Extension: Cleaning, Repairing, and Reconditioning Wood Furniture