Restoring old furniture to its former splendour could be a costly and conscientious process. Nonetheless, it is the excellent way to uphold its value. When we talk of restoring antique furniture, we are essentially talking about its preservation. Instead of looking for replacements from the many Antique Furniture London stores, you can do something to make your piece of furniture last another century.

You just need to pay attention to every detail of restoration and avoid shortcuts. After that, you will only need to visit an Antique Furniture Kent store to add on to your collections. Here is a procedure to help you restore your vintage pieces back to glory.

Research

Some antique pieces are not worth what it will cost to restore them. You should conduct a bit of research to determine the value of your piece before you consider restoring it. Check for any labels or marks that could indicate its origin. You may also consult a professional antique appraiser to value the piece before proceeding with any restoration work. Consider taking photos of any markings for your records. Ensure that you do not remove your antique’s finish until you are sure of what you have, lest you decrease or void its value.

Safety Measures

Your safety is of utmost importance when restoring your vintage furniture. You need to always wear protective gear, like safety glasses, mask and long sleeve. This is to safeguard you against harmful chemicals and other substances during the restoration process.

Clean Before Restoration

Your piece of furniture may just be choking from a combination of dust and waxy coating. This finish can be salvaged through a thorough cleaning. Such cleaning requires the use of an oil-based cleaner or conditioner to cut right through the dirt, as well as the waxy build-up. Avoid spraying the cleaner directly on your furniture.

Instead, use a soft cloth to rub the cleaner into the piece. Leave the cleaner on the piece for about an hour before you remove it with a different piece of cloth. You may repeat this procedure several times, with regards to how dirty your piece is.

Once the piece is clean, you can buff it to get rid of the leftover oil from the cleaner. After drying, your piece may have a light haze on its finish. You can rub steel wool on the piece of furniture to remove the haze.

Replace Missing Parts

Replacing or repairing your furniture’s broken parts can make it reusable. For rusted out parts, you can remove and replace them. However, in cases such as leg replacement or replacements involving the furniture’s structure, you should consult an expert. Else, you may end up at the antique furniture London stores searching to replace the entire piece.

Refinishing or Painting

Consider using a combination of sanding and chemical strippers to get the perfect finish. You should start with researching the suitable stain for your antique furniture. Once you complete refinishing or painting, you can give your furniture another good cleaning to achieve a professional-looking finish.

Conclusion

Restoration should not stop once your vintage piece is back to its original quality. You need to continue caring for your furniture. Always follow the above restoration process to uphold the value and quality of your antique furniture. The worst harm to antique furniture is neither misuse nor children; it is negligence. If you are looking into adding more antiques to your current collection, LT Antiques is one antique furniture Kent store that will never disappoint you.

Article by Lauren Williamson