How to Repair Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture is generally considered antique if it's 100 years or older. Wooden furniture may also be vintage or collectible. Old pieces may need to be fixed due to loose joints in the wood. New pieces of wooden furniture may be prone to accidents, especially if being transported unsafely during a move.

Step 1

Place several large tarps or old newspaper underneath the furniture being repaired. Choose a work area where there is plenty of space. Put on a dust mask. Wear old clothes and cotton gardening gloves to protect hands from splinters.

Step 2

Open up all windows in the work space for proper ventilation. Shut off air conditioning ducts so no wood dust or chemical vapors can infiltrate airways and circulate. Repair the furniture outside if the weather permits. Space the furniture apart.

Step 3

Strip the furniture with a chemical stripping agent. Take a large paint brush and dip it into the chemical stripping agent. Paint over the furniture evenly, making sure to cover the surface fully wherever there is noticeable damage. Wait ten minutes for the chemical stripping agent to oxidize. Scrape surface of the furniture with a large putty knife. Make sure to remove as much of the chemical stripping agent along with the surface as possible.

Step 4

Sand the wood with an electric sander. Sanding will remove splinters and even out the grain after stripping. Take 320 grit sand-paper to sand delicate or small sections of wood such as leg joints, or wherever the electric sander cannot reach. Remove all the wood dust with a clean paintbrush.

Step 5

Examine the wood for hairline cracks, splits or gouges now that it is fully stripped and sanded. Fill in sections that have gouges or hairline cracks with wood filler. Let dry. Take 150 grit sand-paper and lightly re-sand the surface. Remove wood dust with a clean paint brush.

Step 6

Re-glue loose joints, first sanding with the 320 grit sand-paper inside the joint to remove old glue residue. Roll the sand-paper in a cigar shape to fit inside the joint easier, and sand. Remove wood dust with a small paint brush from inside the joint. Apply epoxy glue made for wood furniture inside the joint after removing wood dust, and reattach the joint into the hole or groove of furniture. Apply a clamp. Let epoxy glue dry overnight. Remove clamp the next day.

Step 7

Stain furniture with a wood stain. Use a water-based stain to moisturize and help restore older wood. Use latex enamel paint in the color of your choice if repainting the furniture. Apply two coats. Let the first coat dry before applying a second coat. Apply a water-proof gloss or semi-gloss varnish to seal the paint and protect the wood. Use one that is both insect and water repellent.