Furniture Refinishing Can Be Easy

Posted by Dr kitchen NYC on March 18th, 2021

The furniture industry is one that's continually growing. As the owner of a furniture refinishing company, you too could make a lucrative home-based income fixing things both brought into and on-site (especially if proper equipment and space allow). Or, you might seek out furniture in dire need of TLC, fix it up, and sell it for a great profit. Whichever the case, your primary goal as a furniture refinishing company is the same: make your customers happy with beautiful furniture that adds value to their homes. It's a business you can either master yourself or tap into an expert.

Furniture restoration isn't as cut-and-dry as it sounds. If you've ever seen a restoration job on the Discovery Channel or in a magazine, you know that each piece of furniture is individually crafted, with all its own peculiarities. In order to bring a piece back to life, furniture refiners must first determine what kind of wood was used and how much care was taken in the manufacturing process. Then they must figure out how exactly the piece was cut and prepared, and finally evaluate the condition it's in. Only then can they present a plan for completing the furniture refinishing project.

Before you begin refinishing furniture, however, it's a good idea to get some basic furniture restoration skills down pat. One of the most important things to master is how to clean wood furniture properly and remove years' worth of grime, dirt, and stains. Wood is a natural product that can absorb dirt easily, so it's important to always wipe down the piece using a mild, fragrance-free detergent and warm water. Never ever use harsh chemicals or soap when cleaning wood furniture or scrubbing any nooks and crannies.

Always start by cleaning the entire piece, taking care to remove every crumb, scratch, fleck, or stain from every nook and cranny. Next, remove the protective sealer from the protective coating over the wood surface using a wrung-out sponge. Use the sponge to blot the wood surface using a clean damp cloth, leaving the protective sealer intact. Next, use the stiff but gentle bristled brush and clean the surface again, making sure to wipe it down completely with the wet sponge before returning it to the protective sealer.

To complete the refinishing process, use the same clean, dry, water-free, non-staining cloth and apply a coat of clear lacquer over the surface of the wooden furniture piece. The new lacquer will help protect the wood from further damage from years of exposure to sunlight, dust, rain and snow, among other elements. If you have an existing finish on the piece, simply rub the surface using a fine-grit sandpaper until the existing finish is worn away to reveal a clean, new finish. click here

Sanding and buffing are necessary pre-treatments for any kind of wood-related damage. This is especially true for older, more damaged pieces. Remove the old finish from the surface using a sanding machine or shop vac before beginning your refinishing furniture repair project. You may also use a compound that is designed specifically for wood, metal, or laminate surfaces. Either way, begin sanding in a straight direction, going slowly to ensure all the knots and areas not covered by the previous treatment have been sanded away completely.

Once all the sanded edges and grooves have been removed, your next step is to apply the stain. Stain should be applied to an area that is at least two times the width of the piece and one half the depth. A high-quality, oil-based stain will be far easier to apply and also penetrate the wood deeper. However, it is important to choose a stain with a high-quality finish. An oil-based stain may require a light sanding to get rid of the excess.

After the piece has dried for about two hours or more, it is time to prime and give it a coat of stain or sealant. The amount you apply to the piece will depend on the overall condition and the type of stain or sealant you decide to use. A high-quality product should have a much thicker consistency than a cheap product. Prime the piece, being careful not to apply too much of the product, then wipe it dry. When your piece has dried to a matte finish, apply a final coat of stain or sealant.