August 14th, 2020 
Staff 
Antique furniture can carry significant value for its owner. The television show ‘Antiques Roadshow’ has taught us that seemingly worthless pieces of furniture can actually hold much more than just memories. It has also taught us that a bad refurnishing or restoration job can diminish its value. With the exception of century-old pieces, for which you should seek the advice of a professional, restoring antique furniture can be not only a relaxing hobby, but also a well-paying one. Before undertaking a furniture restoration project, do some research on the item in mind. Here are some tips on restoring antique furniture.
Remove the hardware
Restoring antique furniture is easier to accomplish if you start by removing the hardware. It should be done carefully so as not to damage the piece. Generally, once the hardware is removed from old furniture, it leaves a little ridge on the finish. This often-crusty ridge is composed of a buildup of wax, polish and dust, and can be quite stubborn to eliminate; caution is advised.
Clean and polish
Start with a thorough inspection of the piece to be restored. Check inside corners, carvings, moldings and the hardware areas. Once you have decided that it is in fairly good shape, and have assessed where the worst build-up is located, you can begin. When it comes to cleaning and polishing antique furniture, have several tools handy, and use common sense to determine which item is best for the task at hand. Read more »
