The restoring or refinishing of antique oak furniture can be a real challenging task if you're not equipped with some vital information. The first thing you should know that before you start changing the original appearance of an antique that it may diminish its value from the point of view of a collector. Collectors place a higher value on an antique if its appearance is completely unchanged. This is not to say that the piece can't be "cleaned up" but they are concerned with its originality.
Keep in mind that when you decide to restore a piece of antique furniture, you're going to be putting a considerable amount of time and effort into it. Another thing to consider is that this process will not necessarily be inexpensive. Many people have started a project like this only to find that the cost and the amount of time it took wasn't really worth it.
In the case where you have a piece of antique oak furniture that has been badly damaged due to being exposed to the elements, it might be the perfect project to restore anyway. Restoring this particular piece could greatly improve its appearance and add a thing of beauty to your home.
There are a couple of different ways that you can accomplish the task of restoring your piece. The first would be to bring it to an antique restoration professional. Kind in mind that this will not be an inexpensive feat. It takes a lot of time and effort and the cost will be much more than if you do it yourself.
Restoring the piece yourself can actually be fun if you keep the mindset of lots of patience and how slow the process will be. Inspect the piece beforehand and decide if any particular part is so badly damaged that it will have to be replaced. If not, prepare yourself with the necessary tools to get the job done. You will need to purchase at least a can of paint and varnish stripper. These strippers can actually damage the wood if you leave them on too long. Be sure that you follow the instructions very carefully.
After completely removing all the old varnish, you will have to buy various grits of sandpaper. The use of orbital sanders on oak will work to some degree as long as you are very careful not to go too far where it leaves heavy sanding marks. Also you can over-sand a piece removing any details that were originally meant to be there. Consult your local home fix-it store for details on what type of stain and varnish to use.
Keep in mind that if your piece has a large amount of ornate or carved surfaces that this will add a lot of extra time to complete the project. Realize that the project could take up to several months because of the intricacy of the detail. We suggest that when in doubt, or if you have any questions to consult a restoration professional and/or an antique oak furniture appraisal specialist.
This article was authored by Wally Haroldson. If you're looking for more jam-packed information, please visit my blog Antique Oak Furniture and/or Antique Dining Chairs.
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