Antique Restoration

An antique that is in its almost original appearance that requires minor restoration is such a great find. However, it seldom happens as most antiques, as the name implies are expected to have undergone some point of degradation due to time, environment and other factors. For such reason, the antique restoration industry serves their purpose and antique restorers reap a substantial amount of money for exceedingly well done jobs.

Restoration of antiques involves several processes which are considered talent by some antique collectors. After all, such processes involve art masterpieces restored to beauty by equally talented antique restorers.
One of the processes involved is the removal of stain, grimes and dirt build-up accumulated for over a hundred years. Cleaning furniture with intricate designs require extra attention using vacuum cleaners, wool, toothbrush, dry and slightly dampened cloth particularly avoiding prolonged exposure to water and other corrosive cleaners that damage the wood. A slightly sharpened edge of a knife is used only as the last resort if the dirt has hardened and cannot be removed by conventional manner.

Another processes applied in the restoration is stripping, which is composed of removing faded and chipped-off paints and varnish from wooden antique furniture. Many antiques are multi-coated, therefore removing the paint proves to be difficult. However, commercially available paint stripper and oven cleaners which are quite expensive depending on the brand can do task so well as well as in saving time, effort and length of exposure to inhaled toxic substances. If the original varnish still looks good, then it is better to leave the furniture as it is, especially if the item is bought for the purpose of reselling.

After the paints or varnish are removed, the wooden furniture is slightly rubbed with a fine 100-grit sandpaper to expose the natural wood grains and remove remaining minute traces of old paints. It is important to follow the direction of the grain and never across as doing so will only create unsightly scratches. After which, the furniture is brushed and sometimes vacuumed to remove the dust.

The final process is the application of final finish or refinishing. Modern technology has now produced special coating agents that do not only protect furniture from stains, water and termites but also highlights the natural wood color, giving it a deeper and glossier color.

Restoring and reclaiming the beauty of antique furniture is a laborious undertaking, however the joys that it bring to an antique collector is priceless and more profound. For a true blue antique collector, passion and happiness weigh more than the monetary value of such items.

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