Give Your Old Wood Furniture A New Look
Even furniture that appears like a hopeless case can be reclaimed by dissolving the cracked shellac surface with denatured alcohol. Be sure to test the piece first. Determine finish kind. Most furniture made prior to 1920 had a protective shellac finish. More than time, shellac darkens, cracks and requirements to be removed. Chemical strippers may be too harsh for this project, so use denatured alcohol rather. It soaks into the shellac and dissolves the finish so it can be wiped off. Note: this technique will not affect polyurethane, which types a plastic-like coating that must be sanded off. Old varnish or shellac can be identified by a black crackled finish. Crackling happens with age and changes in temperature. Polyurethane does not deteriorate this way.
Begin the procedure of stripping down the surface by putting a lot of newspapers down to protect the floor from drips and spills. Put on rubber gloves and maintain an extra pair handy in case the original ones get as well sticky from the dissolved shellac. Be sure to be working in a well-ventilated area. Remove any drawers or doors and refinish them separately. Unscrew all fixtures, knobs, and hinges, Refinish them if required.
Always work on a horizontal plane. Pour a healthy amount of denatured alcohol over the surface. Use paper towels to gently spread alcohol about. Wait several minutes for the alcohol to penetrate the finish. Wipe off alcohol and dissolved finish with paper towels. Apply much more alcohol as essential for stubborn areas. A soft brush is helpful for removing tough spots. Make sure the colour is even. Repeat the exact same procedure for the faces of the drawers. Stand the drawers on finish so that the drawer faces are horizontal. Do this for the front and sides of the furniture as nicely.
As soon as all of the old finish is removed from the furniture, use a solution of water and a mild detergent to wash off all the treated surfaces and make certain they are clean. Dry off the surfaces with a clean cloth. If desired, restain the surface with fine steel wool to smooth out the grain. Then use a small brush or a clean cloth to remove the last bits of steel wool from the wood.
Apply a number of layers of antique oil finish to surface of the wood, following manufacturer's directions. Pour out a small quantity of oil to function with and spread every layer of oil evenly over the surface of the wood with a clean, lint-free cloth. With the exception of the last coat of oil, lightly buff the surface of the furniture with steel wool after every coat of oil dries.
Removing the old finish prior to fixing any dents, scratches or loose fixtures. But take care not to repair the surface so much that it loses to fine, aged character and individuality. Repair and polish broken or tarnished fixtures, or replace them with reproductions to total the revival.
Before restoring make certain the furniture is in great structural situation. If there are any matching pieces, give them the exact same treatment. Even furniture that consists of small relief detail can be smoothly restored with the aid of a brush. Obtain the essential details you require around plancher ancien by visitng our website currently.
