Things To Consider When Refinishing Antique Wooden Furniture

It is not uncommon to find antique furniture at very affordable prices at flea markets, in thrift shops and at yard sales. Often this furniture needs to be refinished to make it look similar to what it did when it was new. Refinishing antique furniture is a great way to add more beauty to it and possibly even increase its value. However, there are some things to consider when deciding if that antique piece of furniture you have found at a very affordable price is actually worth refinishing.

Has It Been Painted? 

Often you may find great deals on antique furniture that has one or more coats of paint on it. While this does not always mean the piece is damaged, it can mean that the current owner may have been trying to cover something up with the paint. 

If the person selling the piece has owned it for several years, ask if he was the one who painted it. If so, fine out why this particular piece of antique furniture has been painted. Paint is sometimes used to cover water stains, burns or chips in the veneer of the wood. If this is the reason it was painted, it may be better to shop for only furniture that has been varnished or stained to avoid the extra hassle it will take to remove the paint.

When Was It Manufactured? 

Most pieces of antique furniture will have a manufacturing date stamped on them to let you know when they were made. In the 1950s, particle board often was used for making furniture to cut back on costs.

Antique furniture that was made before 1950 was usually made of solid, sturdy wood. These pieces are more durable than those made after 1950 and can be more safely refinished without causing damaging.

Should The Furniture Be Re-Glued?

Check to see how durable the antique furniture piece is. If you can rock it back and forth without it feeling like it is light and weak, you may not need to re-glue it. However, if the furniture feels rickety and moves freely when rocked, it will most likely require re-gluing to ensure it is stable enough to use.

While adding new glue to a piece of furniture does make it stronger, this will require added time for the glue to dry and the extra effort of using clamps to hold the glue area in place. This may mean postponing your refinishing of the furniture until the glue dries thoroughly.

Once a piece of antique furniture has been refinished properly, it can last for many years. By simply dusting it with a dry cloth on occasion, you can keep it  looking fresh and new easily.

For more information, consult companies like The Strip Joint. 

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