Repair, Refinishing of Wood Furniture

Repairing and refinishing wood furniture will restore an antique piece and preserve its beauty. Repairing wood furniture saves money, eliminating the need to buy new wood furniture down the line. As some furniture becomes damaged over time, or in the case of an accident, such as a split in the wood or a gouge in the surface, the wood can be repaired and refinished back to its original state. Wood furniture can also be refinished to alter the appearance.

Stripping wood furniture is the best way to refinish a piece. The furniture must be stripped of old varnish and paint, so that a new finish can be properly applied. If refinishing wood furniture with paint, the furniture must first be stripped before any repairs can be made to the wood. Some wood is more porous than others; such as maple wood.

Porous wood can easily be sanded by hand with 150 to 220 grit sandpaper. The wood grain is not damaged from harsh chemical strippers, and a light sanding will remove old paint, stain or varnish on porous wood. Sanding wood furniture reduces pitting or uneven surfaces. Sanding evens out the natural texture and grain in the wood as well. This is important if the wood is to be stained.

An electric sander can be used on large pieces of both porous and non-porous wood.
The furniture must be sanded evenly, so that the surface does not show any bumps or damage, and the paint or stain will look smooth. Hairline splits or gouges in wood furniture can be sealed with a wood sealant, and then sanded once it is dry. Before painting or staining wood furniture, it is important to make repairs to joints with wood glue.

The wood glue will reinforce the joints of the furniture, and is the last step in wood furniture repair and restoration before staining or painting furniture. A dark or light stain can be used on wood, depending on the desired effect. Staining the wood closest to its natural state is preferable on dark wood, and blond wood can be coated with a high gloss varnish.

If painting wood, the wood must be primed first, and the primer must be dry before paint can be applied. Latex enamel paint in the color of your choice is perfect for wood furniture because it is adaptable to most climates, for both outdoor and indoor use. The drying time is fast with latex enamel paint. Oil based paints should not be used on outdoor furniture in humid climates because it won't dry properly. After furniture is painted, it should be varnished with an insect and water proof varnish if outdoor furniture. Indoor furniture can be varnished with a high gloss varnish for aesthetic effect.