There are certain home improvements that we can handle ourselves. They don’t require expanded knowledge or professional skills. However, they do require research.
Before starting any project find out as much as you can about the products and techniques you will use. It will save you time and bring better results.
If you’re a lucky owner of wooden furniture, you probably know how important it is to conserve and restore the wood after a certain amount of time. Follow a few simple steps to bring your furniture to its original luster.
Assessment and Preparation
As a first step you should properly check the condition of the wood and note any marks or holes on the surface. Some furniture may have watermarks or scratches that can be repaired easily with the right technique.
Your workload will depend a lot on the level of the damage. If your furniture doesn’t have any major problems, the restoration shouldn´t take a lot of time. You will have more time to focus more on polishing and preparing it for the next years to come.
Sanding and Fixing
This part can be very dusty so consider moving your work to a place where you won’t have to worry about the mess. A shed or a storage room with good lightning conditions and a lot of air is ideal.
Safety should always be your priority. Remember to wear your safety mask, goggles and protective clothing. After all, you will be covered with dust and dirt. You should also wear a thick pair of safety gloves to protect your hands from any splinters or scratches.
It is recommended to use larger size grits in the beginning to remover any varnish or stains and then move slowly to smaller ones. Sand the surface until it looks smooth and even. You might not be able to remove everything at once but be patient and try not to move too aggressively.
After you finish the sanding process it´s time to take care of small repairs. If the wood has cracks or nail holes use a reliable adhesive to fill them in. When everything is dry, grab your sand paper and run it through the surface to remove any excess glue.
Finishing
When it comes to the final touch you have a few different options, which all depends on the final effect you want to achieve.
If you want to prepare your wooden pieces for any further treatments use wax. It´s a very good finishing method, unfortunately it doesn’t protect the surface as well as other products because it won’t fully penetrate it.
If you want to use something equally safe but more reliable, choose different types of oils. They will nourish the wood and protect its surface from outside conditions.
Another great way to add coating to your wooden furniture is to cover it with water-based stain colour. This method is more decorative and it can completely change the shade of the original piece.
When the hard work is done you can use a clean rag to gently wipe the surface. Your antique heirloom is now looking refreshed, painted and ready to use.