There are several methods of antique furniture restoration. In general, antique furniture is regarded antique if it’s over 100 years of age but the National Free Trade Act (NFTA) of 1993 declares that an antique item can not be considered antique if it’s undergone a change of more than 50% in its original form. You may be wondering what counts as a change of form. In fact, the original definition was to include only those changes that resulted in the piece’s utility diminish.
So, what are the common forms of antique furniture restoration? Most often, antique furniture restoration involves restoring an antique to its former glory. Other possible forms of antique furniture restoration comprise; fixing minor dents or cracks, replacing missing pieces, repainting, sanding, repainting again, and polishing or cleaning. For the latter two forms, you’ll need a vacuum cleaner, some medium-grade wood polish (if the wood was varnished), a tack cloth, feather duster, and a putty knife.
If your antique furniture repair needs including minor dents and scratches, you will have to bring your piece to an antique restoration expert. In general, antique furniture restoration doesn’t cost much. You need to prepare the restored piece by buffing its surface and applying a protective coating. The amount of restoration required depends on the nature of the damage.
When it comes to antique furniture restoration, it’s important that you’re working with a certified furniture restoration expert who uses quality products and employs modern techniques and equipment. A good furniture restoration expert can spot small flaws, cracks, blemishes, and paint chips that might not otherwise be visible. With the right restoration solution, your antique furniture piece can look like new. If your piece has been damaged by water or humidity, an expert can restore it using safe products and techniques.
It’s a good idea to find an antique furniture restoration professional in your area who specializes in your particular style of furniture. Many antique restoration professionals work exclusively with one particular style or another. If you have a certain kind of desk, for instance, you should find a restoration expert who works with that specific style. Restoration can also be done on items such as dressers, bureau cases, armoires, or even Chinese antiques. Just because it’s an antique doesn’t mean that it can’t benefit from an authentic antique furniture restoration.
If you’re looking to restore your own antique furniture, it can be done very easily. First, you will need to gather your tools. These include: wood carving tools, a large soft-bristled brush, paintbrushes of different thicknesses, sandpaper, a knife with thin blades, rags, furniture wax, and protective gloves. After you’ve gathered these items, you’ll need to locate your piece of antique furniture and take it to your local restoration shop. Once you and your restoration professional have a clear understanding of each other’s work area, the two of you can then begin to restore your antique furniture.