Salvage a Painted Antique by Removing Grease and Water Marks and Restoring the Stained and Varnished Beauty of Its Wood
Restore the charm and beauty of antique furniture whose antique value and patina have been compromised by paint, stains, and a deteriorated finish. This antique dresser has already been stripped of paint during an earlier attempt at restoration, but removing grease, stains, and water marks prior to refinishing it reclaims the charm and beauty of its earlier life.
Step by Step Instructions with Video
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1 Examine the Antique Furniture Finish and Protect the Work Area
Examine antique furniture damage areas and obtain stain removers and finishing products to correct them. Prepare a well-ventilated work area. Cover the floor and surrounding objects with drop cloths and newspapers and wear gloves and safety glasses. View Video for Details >>
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2 Apply the Stripping Solution to the Antique Furniture
Apply semi-paste stripping solution with a paint brush to the antique furniture one surface at a time. Brush carvings or crevices with a brass brush. Work with the grain of the wood and give it several minutes for effect. View Video for Details >>
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3 Scrape Loosened Finish from Antique Furniture with a Putty Knife
Lift the old finish gently with a putty knife, cleaning off the blade frequently. Recoat the antique furniture if necessary and use medium-coarse steel wool in stubborn or detailed areas where the putty knife is ineffective. View Video for Details >>
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4 Use Lacquer Thinner to remove Stripper and Other Residue
Dip fine steel wool in lacquer thinner and apply to the antique furniture to neutralize the stripper and remove residue. Strippers may leave a waxy residue and particles of the old finish may cling to the surface during restoration. View Video for Details >>
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5 Brush Oxalic Acid onto Marked Areas of the Antique Furniture
Dissolve oxalic acid in hot tap water. Brush it on marred surfaces of the antique furniture to remove watermarks, grease or oil. Let it dry and sponge the powdery residue off with warm water. Household bleach may be used as well. View Video for Details >>
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6 Smooth Surfaces of the Antique Furniture with Fine Sandpaper
Use 100-grit sandpaper to lightly smooth the antique furniture's surface, then switch to 150-grit for a final pass. Work with the wood grain as you sand, never across the grain during the restoration. View Video for Details >>
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7 Clean the Antique Furniture with a Tack Cloth
Remove all dust and grit from the antique furniture with a tack cloth, wiping the sticky cloth across the entire surface to remove dust and lint. Fold the tack cloth periodically to expose a fresh sticky area. View Video for Details >>
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8 Stain the Antique Furniture with Gel Stain
Apply gel stain to the antique furniture with a brush or cloth. Work with the grain, paying special attention to ornate carved areas or crevices to ensure coverage. Work on individual surfaces that can be coated in a few minutes. View Video for Details >>
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9 Wipe off Excess Stain from Antique Furniture and Let It Dry
Allow several minutes for stain penetration on the antique furniture and wipe off the excess with a lint-free rag. Greater pressure on the cloth removes more stain to produce a lighter color. Recoat if necessary to reach a deeper color depth. View Video for Details >>
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10 Top Coat Antique Furniture with Tung Oil
Apply one to three top coats of Tung oil to waterproof and protect the new finish while retaining the antique furniture's character. Check and follow the manufacturer's application instructions to obtain the desired finish. View Video for Details >>
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