Bring back the luster of antiques and home furnishings by learning how to restore wood furniture. Your kitchen cupboard holds a lot of home products that may be used for your wooden pieces. Restoring wood furniture, therefore, is quite an interesting project. Read on for a list of readily available products for your wooden pieces.
Methods on How to Restore Wood Furniture
There are two methods on how to restore wood furniture. One is to use solutions that help clean and buff wood, and the other method is to give your wooden pieces a good sanding.
First Method
For the first method on how to restore wood furniture, here are some tips:
- Use a wood-cleaning soap solution to wash your wooden furniture clean. Usually, antique enthusiasts go for Murphy’s oil soap or similar wood-cleaning soaps available in furniture stores. But you can make your own cleaning solution by mixing a spoonful of gentle dishwashing cleanser with a gallon of water. Dip a piece of cloth on the cleaning solution and rub all over your wooden furniture.
- Remove white wrings or water stains on wooden tables by applying petroleum jelly. Leave the jelly on overnight to work its magic on these stains and watermarks. The day after you do this, wipe the surface clean.
- If your wooden furniture has some chips on it, you may use epoxy putty or wax to fill the damage up. Roll a mound of putty or wax on your fingers, just the right size to insert into your furniture’s chips. Putty is ideal for bigger damages, while the wax is mostly for smaller cracks. You can paint over the putty with a wood stain to match the color of the wooden furniture.
- For discoloration on your wooden furniture, use a gel stain to bring back its original color. Apply the right amount of stain with a soft cloth, and leave it to dry overnight.
- Give your wooden furniture a protective finish by using a store-bought wipe-on wood finish. This helps rejuvenate the sheen of your wooden pieces.
Second Method
The second method on how to restore wood furniture is to use sandpaper. Let these steps and pointers guide you:
- First, clean your wood furniture with any detergent or all-purpose cleaner. You may use a piece of cloth to wipe dust and dirt off the wood thoroughly. A clean wooden surface is essential before sanding it down.
- Using coarse sandpaper, rub the surface of the wood in a back and forth motion. The aim of sanding is to remove all the layers of paint and primer to show the bare wood. Coarse sandpaper usually has a grit grade of 40 to 60. It is prudent to use protective gear like a face mask and gloves because sanding gets quite messy.
- Sweep off the dust after sanding away using a brush, or soft broom or a cloth. Woodworkers and enthusiasts love to use a tack cloth. Look them up online.
- After the major sanding work, switch to a gentler sandpaper to polish off the wooden surface. Sandpaper that is less coarse has a higher grit level, so use one with a 120 or 240 grit grade. Feel the wood for rough spots and sand these off for a finer finish.
- You can use mineral turps to wipe away debris and the fine particles left after sanding. Mineral turps usually gives the wood a natural finish, and you can leave it that way if you wish. Just be careful not to inhale any fumes from the turps.
- Teak or tung oil, or any other type of furniture oil gives your furniture a natural wooden sheen. Apply these oils using a piece of cloth. Set it aside to dry overnight.
- If you want to change the color of your wooden furniture, paint it over with varnish or a wood stain in long, even strokes. After the coat of stain or varnish dries, use your gentle fine-grit sandpaper to polish the surface. Put a second layer of varnish or stain and let dry. The more layers of varnish or stain, the darker your wooden furniture gets. So if you prefer a lighter shade for your pieces, one coat is sufficient.
Everyday Items You Can Use To Restore Your Wood Furniture
Now it’s time to check your kitchen cupboard for products you can use to restore your wood furniture. Your best bets are:
- Coconut oil to hydrate your wooden furniture and give it a nice sheen.
- Vinegar, like balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar, to give wood a dark but natural-looking stain.
- A blend of three parts canola oil (or any cooking oil) and one part apple cider or white vinegar to restore wood with nicks and damages
- Walnut to rub on scuffs and scrapes
- Toothpicks or wooden skewers and apple sticks to ram into nail holes. They look more chick than filling holes with glue. To make the sticks look like they are originally part of the wooden furniture, just sand them down to even out the surface.
Conclusion
Bringing back the glow of your wooden pieces of furniture will save your home furnishings and save you tons of money. Knowing how to restore wood furniture is another helpful skill to learn. Restoring wood furniture is another exciting and easy DIY project to discover even at home. Find out more about wood furniture care.