Owens Corning

Attic Finds: Restoring is Rewarding

Restoring old furniture can be fun as well as rewarding. Although saving money is often the motivating factor, there are other benefits to buying older furniture. According to Homer Formby, America's leading expert on wood care and refinishing, furniture that's 50 years old, or older, is usually made of choice wood, with more craftsmanship and care than you see today.

Is It Worth The Effort? How do you know if a piece of furniture is worth restoring or if, in fact, it can be restored without becoming a major project? Examine an area that isn't covered with layers of old finish. If the wood's grain looks good and the piece is sound, it's probably worth restoring.

Does It Need Refinishing? Not all old pieces demand refinishing. Many are just dull, dirty or tired-looking and simply need a face lift. Use a good furniture cleaner, not a polish, and apply to the dirtiest spot on the piece. If the spot comes clean and the wood grain is clear you won't have to restore it at all.

To Remove Or Not To Remove Most people make the mistake of using paint remover when it isn't necessary. Old varnish, lacquer or shellac finishes need only be dissolved with a furniture refinisher. (Don't make the mistake of using an all-purpose stripper. They're harsh and can strip the beautiful color from the wood.) Use a paint remover for painted or polyurethane finishes, but don't try to remove the paint before the remover can do its job. Never apply paint or other finishes in damp weather.

Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.

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