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Wood Furniture Refinishing Tips
January 26, 2015 10:16:40pm
The wood furniture in your house sustains wear and tear simply from daily use. Condensation from your water glass can leave white rings, and little scratches and dents seem to mysteriously appear. Luckily, some of the damage that befalls your favorite furniture can be sanded, scraped, and stained, and otherwise brought back to life. The following tips will help you get started refinishing your damaged or worn out wood furniture so you can once again enjoy it.
Step 1: Do your homework.
Do all the research you can before you even pick up the sanding block. Make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into, and be sure you can find the instructions and materials you’ll need for the job. Find out what prep work is required, how much time you will need to complete the project, and an approximate cost for the materials and tools you will need to purchase. A D-I-Y wood finishing project can be a major undertaking, and is more complicated than simply going to a home-improvement center and buying a can of stain, with a finished product an hour later.
Step 2: Get the right equipment.
Make sure you have all the necessary protective equipment to perform the work safely. This includes:
- Gloves: Strippers and solvents will destroy ordinary gloves in minutes, so for the sake of your hands, invest in good quality gloves that are appropriate for the task you will be doing and the materials you will be handling.
- Masks: Lacquer, shellac, and varnish all give off fumes, and the fewer of these fumes you inhale, the better.
- Safety glasses: Liquid varnishes can spatter and fumes can irritate your eyes, so protect yourself with the right glasses or goggles.
Step 3: Set aside time for the project.
Most projects require several days or even several weekends to be completed. Some of this time may even be spent simply waiting until you can proceed. For example, many tasks call for polyurethane, which takes a long time to dry and often requires multiple coats. You may also need to make additional trips to the hardware store if complications arise.
Step 4: Keep your work area extremely clean.
Your project will almost certainly involve sanding, so your work area should be a place where you can get messy. At the same time, any and all dust and debris in the air will settle into your finish, leaving behind specks as it dries. Maintaining a tidy workspace will be tough, but it will save you great frustration in the long run.
Step 5: Be patient!
Don’t assume that your project will get finished quickly. You may have to redo certain steps to achieve the results you want, and in some cases you may have to learn as you go. Woodworking is an artform, so enjoy the process and know that the finished piece will be worth your time.
If you follow these tips, your wood furniture finishing project can be successful as well as satisfying. It’s a great feeling when the final coat of varnish has dried, and your antique chair, end table, or headboard can be reincorporated into your home. If you have doubts about completing the project yourself, find the best local furniture refinishing service and trust the job to them. It’s possible that the task may become too taxing, too expensive, or downright dangerous, and in such cases, it’s best to take the piece to a professional restoration shop.
The Wood Furniture Finishing Experts in Jacksonville, FL
Jax Furniture Refinishing and Upholstering is the local authority on wood furniture finishing. Decades of experience sets us apart from other furniture restoration and refinishing shops, and our experience is matched by our passion for our trade. Your furniture will be cared for by a furniture finishing and repair expert in a shop devoted to the meticulous process of furniture restoration. Instead of embarking on a long and tedious DIY furniture repair project, trust it to us! We are the best professional wood furniture finishing service in Northeast Florida, including historic Riverside Avondale, San Marco, Ortega, and the greater Jacksonville area.
