Basics of Restoring Vintage Furniture
Restoring an old piece of furniture can seem like a daunting task, especially if it’s an antique-- after all, you don’t want to risk ruining the value of anything! However, restoring your antique furniture doesn’t have to be as complicated as some may think. In fact, depending on the condition of the piece, it can be easy-- sometimes, your furniture might not need as much work as you think!
Waxing Goes A Long Way
In some cases, antique furniture may not need to be fully “restored” at all. If the piece looks dull but is otherwise in good condition, you can start out by applying a coat of wax. If you choose to take this route, though, it’s important to be mindful of how clean the furniture is-- if the furniture is dirty, the wax will not hold. The best way to clean and prepare a piece of furniture for waxing is to use furniture polish and very fine wire wool.
What About Woodworms?
Woodworms are larvae that eat wood. Depending on the age of the furniture, it’s not uncommon to begin noticing the holes made by woodworms as they eat their way through the wood. Unless the furniture is structurally weakened, it can be easy to fix woodworm damage on your own. Simply paint over the holes with any woodworm-killing liquid. Once the liquid is dry, you can fill the holes with a wood filler kit.
Removing Marks from Furniture
Marks such as water rings, burn marks, or candle wax can be unsightly and even ruin the value of antique furniture. Here are some easy fixes that just about anyone can do:
Water rings and small burn marks: Heat 1 part olive oil and add ¼ parts paraffin wax. Rub the mixture onto the ring or burn mark with a clean cloth and let sit. After a few hours, buff off whatever is left of the oil and wax. This can be repeated as many times as necessary to get rid of the water rings and burn marks! However, it is important to note that this method will not work for more serious burn marks-- leave those to the professionals!
Candle wax: If possible, it’s best to wipe off candle wax as soon as it drips, before it’s had a chance to harden, especially if there’s the upholstery involved. If the wax has already hardened by the time you notice it, seal some crushed ice in a plastic bag and wrap it in a soft cloth. Place this on top of the wax for about five minutes, and the wax should scrape off easily.
Of course, if you have an antique piece of furniture with outdated upholstery that you’re looking to restore, that can be a much more difficult process. If your furniture needs a facelift, make VNTG Home your first choice for reupholstery-- we can make any old-soul furniture smile again!