There are lots of good reasons to hang on to old furniture, whether it is for sentimental, environmental, or economic motives. If it still has good structural life in it, why throw it out? Instead, you can bring it back to new life in a variety of different ways. Older furniture, such as wooden tables, benches, chairs, and bookshelves, can usually be restored either by repainting or restaining. Let’s take a brief look at each process here.
Restaining or Refinishing Old Wooden Furniture
If you want to bring your old furniture back to its original look, then restaining is usually the way to go. The process involves three steps:
- Strip off the old finish. This can be done by purely mechanical means (sanding), or by using a chemical stripper first, then some sanding afterwards. Be aware that chemical strippers are very caustic, and you need skin and breathing protection when using them.
- Apply the new finish. Use a staining sponge, a microfiber cloth, or a stain brush to apply the desired color to the bare wood. Follow the instructions on the stain packaging regarding how thickly to apply it, and how soon to wipe off the excess. For darker colors, you generally want to apply more than one coat of stain.
- Use a clear protective coating. Once the desired color has been achieved, use two coats of polycrylic or polyurethane clear coating to make sure the newly-stained wood is thoroughly protected.
Repainting Old Wooden Furniture
Painting an old wooden table or bookshelf is easier than restaining it, since the first step above is much less intense. Simply use a medium grade sandpaper to lightly scuff all the surfaces, and you are good to go!
Use a high-quality brush or roller and premium-grade interior paint to apply 2-3 light, even coats of paint to all the surfaces. Watch out for drips, and remember that you get a better result with multiple thin coats than you do when you try to cover it thoroughly all at once.
Just like you would when staining, use a clear protective coating to finish the piece. Polycrylic coatings are less prone to turning yellow with age, so that may be your best choice.
Cherry Hill Painting
If you have old furniture that you would like to have restored, but the process sounds like more than you want to tackle on your own, Cherry Hill Painting would love to help! Our expert craftsmen can produce the fabulous results you are looking for, with none of the elbow grease on your part!
Cherry Hill Painting provides interior and exterior painting services in New Jersey and the Philadelphia region, including cabinet refinishing, furniture restoration, and carpentry. Call us to schedule a free painting estimate for your furniture restoration project!