WOODEN FURNITURE & HOME
WOOD CENTER · WOODEN FURNITURE & HOME
Keep useful furniture looking good for longer.
A furniture makeover starts with identifying what you have and what needs attention. Cleaning a sound finish, touching up a small hole and refinishing an entire piece are different jobs. Choose the smallest suitable intervention before removing material or adding a coating.
Identify the surface first
Check whether you are looking at solid timber, a thin veneer, laminate or an unknown surface. Look for product information and care instructions. If a piece may be valuable or antique, seek an appropriate conservator’s advice before changing its finish.
Start gently
Follow the furniture maker’s cleaning instructions and test a compatible method in an inconspicuous place. Avoid assuming that a household cleaning recipe is suitable for every coating. Keep excess moisture away from joints and vulnerable edges.
Separate cosmetic and structural repairs
A small nail hole or surface dent is different from a loose leg, split joint or failed fixing. A cosmetic filler should not be treated as a structural repair. For surface work, read the particular product’s directions for preparation, sanding, staining and overcoating.
Plan the finish before sanding
Sanding removes material, which matters especially on thin veneer and shaped details. Identify the existing coating and possible hazards before disturbing an old painted surface. Decide on a suitable finish and follow its preparation instructions rather than sanding to an arbitrary grit.
Keep the useful details
Photograph hardware positions before removing them, keep fittings together and check that the planned colour and sheen work in the room. Try the finish on an appropriate sample before committing to the visible surface.
