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Antique Furniture Restoration: How to Restore Old Wood Without Ruining It
Learn how to restore antique wood furniture safely: check value first, clean and revive the finish, repair joints and veneer, and strip only as a last resort.
Restoring and Refinishing
Antique Furniture
How to restore antiques without hurting their value, from shellac and French polish to woodworm.
Can Murphy's oil soap be used on wood furniture?
Murphy's oil soap can be used on sealed, finished wood in good condition, but not on raw, waxed, or oil-only surfaces. Learn how to use it and what to avoid.
How do you refinish an antique table?
How do you refinish an antique table? Check its value and finish, try cleaning and reviving first, strip only if needed, then repair, stain, and seal with care.
How to French Polish Antique Furniture
Learn how to French polish antique furniture with shellac and a pad: mix the cut, build the pad, fade, body, and spirit off, then harden and finish.
How to Refinish an Antique Wood Radio Cabinet
How to refinish an antique wood radio cabinet safely: handle the electronics first, try cleaning and reamalgamating, then match the original lacquer finish.
How to Remove Shellac from Antique Furniture
Remove shellac from antique furniture safely: confirm the finish with denatured alcohol, try reamalgamating first, work in small sections, and protect yourself.
How to Repair Woodworm Damage in Antique Furniture
Repair woodworm damage in antique furniture: tell active infestations from old holes, identify the beetle, treat safely, and strengthen weakened wood.
How to Tell If Furniture Is Antique or a Reproduction
Learn to tell an antique from a reproduction using hidden wood, joinery, fasteners, saw marks, wear, and labels. Look for several clues, not just one.
Old Furniture Value Guide: What Is Your Piece Worth?
Find out what old furniture is worth. Age, maker, originality, and condition set value. Learn how to read marks, check sold prices, and get a fair appraisal.
What not to do to antique furniture?
Avoid mistakes that cost antique furniture its value: refinishing too soon, harsh cleaners, aerosol polish, wrong glues, poor storage, and sun or heat damage.
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