Furniture Refinishing Basics
By Ralph Diliberto
One of the most common means of restoration is refinishing. Refinishing can breathe new life into pianos, tables, chairs, cabinets, bookcases, jewelry boxes and other items that have started to look a little bit worn.
With any restoration project - and refinishing is no exception - there are a few things to consider. First, you want to think about whether or not you can do it yourself. You may be thinking, “Why couldn‘t I tackle refinishing myself? All it takes is a few hours, some sandpaper and new stain.“ While in many cases this is true, some restoration should be left to the pros.

For example, piano refinishing isn‘t the same as refinishing a jewelry box. Many large pieces - pianos, armoires - are far easier for professionals to restore and refinish. Another restoration project that may be better suited for a professional is refinishing chairs. You may find that, for these projects, hiring a professional will cost less and take less time than if you were to do the projects yourself.

Another professional who you may want to consult before taking on a restoration project is an antiques appraiser. While refinishing you bought new can help give the piece more character or even help you to sell it for a profit at a yard sale, there are rare and collectible pieces of that will lose value if they are refinished. When you‘ve bought an antique dining room table, coffee table or cabinet, refinishing could lower the value of the piece and you may want to look into a thorough professional cleaning instead.

If you are only looking at refinishing that is newer or that has sentimental value, you may choose not to consult with a professional. In that case, it‘s often best to get right into the project on your own.

To start your furniture-refinishing project, it‘s often best to find a spot that won‘t be noticed as a test site. In this spot - low on the back of the piece or on the bottom - you‘ll want to start the refinishing by removing a small portion of the current finish. Doing so will let you see what you‘re up against and how hard will it be to remove the current finish from the furniture.

The answer to that question will vary some. Simple surfaces like a table will be easier to refinish than a cabinet with intricate corner work. Using a stripper and a scraper will make it easier to remove a painted or varnished finish than merely using sandpaper. Once you‘ve determined how to best remove the old finish from the furniture, the next step is to work outdoors (when possible) to remove the old varnish and paint.

Furniture

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refinishing, however, is not just about removing the old finish. Refinishing requires stripping the old finish and then preparing the surface for a new finish by sanding the surface and wiping down the sawdust that sanding stirred up. Only after the surface has been prepared can you start the final step in this restoration project: applying the new finish.

Refinishing the furniture, therefore, means knowing what the new finish will be. For some, the goal of refinishing is to strip off color, get back to the natural wood and apply a clear finish that shows off the item‘s natural beauty. For others, refinishing is a matter of taking the wood to a darker shade - staining pine so that it takes on the color of cherry or mahogany wood.

Still others look at refinishing as a chance to bring color to their table, desk, bookshelf or bureau. When refinishing furniture, many are likely to choose a colored stain followed with a topcoat of varnish for sheen. Another common choice people, who are looking for color, make is to select paint that matches the room or provides the contrast they are looking to achieve in their room.

Furniture restoration, after all, is a personal choice. Refinishing gives you a chance to create a new look without going out and buying something new. For those inclined to take on little projects on their own, refinishing can be a great way to spend a weekend - and have something to show for their time, for years to come.

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Ralph Diliberto is the owner of Fingerlakes Restoration, a family owned refinishing company that specializes in restoring the luster of wood pieces to their natural, like new condition. Located in central New York State, since 1979 and specializes in restoring all types of antique wooden with a special emphasis on vintage pianos as well as tables, chairs, desks, beds, etc. visit at www.FingerLakesRestoration.com“>FingerLakesRestoration.com