Check with a dealer before refinishing.
Antique wood is wood that is 100 years old or older. Often antique wood will acquire a grayish patina that adds to value. A patina on wood furniture gives the wood its distinctive antique look, aside from design. Sometimes, though, you want to remove the patina to reveal the true beauty of warm brown, red and blond tones in wood. Wood is porous, and comes back to its natural state when restored. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Use wood cleaner and conditioner if the antique wood is not being sanded or stripped. Put on plastic disposable gloves. Take wood cleaner, and place a small amount on a clean rag. Start cleaning the antique wood in circular motions, adding more wood cleaner to the rag as needed. Flip the rag over and use the clean side if dark dirt comes off the antique wood. Remove excess cleaner with a damp rag. Let wood dry, then apply wood conditioner with a soft dry cloth in a circular motion.
2. Put down old newspaper around furniture being sanded and stripped, to protect the floor. Make sure all windows are open to ventilate the work area. Seal off air conditioning vents so that wood dust does not get into the vent and circulate. Use a protective dust mask to eliminate the risk of wood dust inhalation. Wear cotton garden gloves to protect against splinters. Wear old clothes that are machine washable.
3. Take 320 grit sandpaper and sand the old patina off the antique wood piece. Use an electric sander with a high grit for large pieces such as tables. Use a clean paint brush to remove wood dust after sanding. Take a chemical stripping agent to remove stubborn patina that is not easily sanded. Apply the stripping agent with a clean paint brush, and before the stripping agent fully dries, scrape away the top layer of antique wood with a putty knife.
4. Go over the antique wood with wood filler where there are hairline cracks, gouges or splits. Use wood glue to re-glue lifted areas and old wood joints. Allow to dry for six to eight hours. Re-sand lightly with 150 grit sandpaper, and remove wood dust.
5. Stain the antique wood with a moisturizing wood stain made for antique wood. Use two coats, letting the first coat dry before applying the second. Varnish antique wood furniture with an insect and water proof varnish to preserve the wood and protect it. Apply two coats. Make sure the first coat dries before applying a second coat of varnish.
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