Restoring a valuable piece of wooden antique furniture successfully is no easy feat. While it may appear easy enough in those online DIY videos, it is not. The process is one that requires hours (or even days) of meticulous and dedicated woodwork. Because most antique pieces are highly valuable, it is important that every step of the restoration process is carefully carried out in order to bring every part and detail of the piece back (as closely as possible) to its original look and condition.
By hiring a professional restorer like Schyrver Restoration to restore your antique wood, you are ensuring that the value of your piece won’t be reduced as a result of any of the critical mistakes that commonly happen during antique wood restoration.
Below are some of the common mistakes a professional restorer can help you avoid with antique furniture restoration.
Not Assessing the Furniture’s Worth
Not knowing the true value of the antique piece before beginning restoration is one the most common yet costly mistakes people make with antique furniture restoration. By having a professional restorer assess the piece, you will be able to know exactly how valuable it is. Knowing its value can also help you decide what restoration method will be best for preserving its value.
For example, some highly valuable pieces have labels or markings on hidden surfaces that should not be sanded or stripped off. Some pieces will also lose value if you paint them instead of staining and refinishing. When you hire a professional to restore your antique, you can rest easy knowing that its value will be properly assessed and only the best restoration techniques (that will not lower its value) will be used to restore the antique.
Failure to do the Necessary Repairs
The best time to make any needed repairs on your wooden antique is immediately after stripping and not after the piece has been sanded and refinished (painting, staining, or varnishing). Carrying out repairs after the wooden antique has been painted or refinished will only impact the appearance of the final finish and potentially cause the piece to lose its value.
A professional restorer would ensure to replace all broken knobs and screws, reattach broken joints, repair and fill any cracks or holes, and fix up any lopsided drawers before refinishing the piece.
Failure to Prep the Piece Properly
The final finish of your wooden antique could be negatively impacted if you do not properly prep the piece before refinishing. Thorough cleaning and proper sanding are two very important aspects of surface preparation before refinishing. A professional restorer knows this and will ensure that your wooden antique is prepped the right way before refinishing or painting is carried out.
Not Letting the Varnish or Paint dry Properly
A common refinishing technique used in the restoration of antique wood is varnishing. Ideally, varnish should be applied to restored antique wood, regardless of if you decide to stain or paint it.
The varnish, when applied on the surface of the wood, gives the piece a refreshed look and also serves as a protective layer that shields the wood’s surface from the elements (moisture, heat, and dirt). Typically, if you want varnished wood to work its purpose (and not look lumpy or pebbled), you need to allow the surface of the piece to dry completely before using it.
How a Professional Antique Restorer can Help
A professional restorer can use their knowledge, coupled with the right restoration tools, techniques, and experience, to bring back the original beauty of your antique wood furniture. In addition to helping you avoid mistakes with your antique wood restoration, other benefits you get to enjoy by hiring a professional restorer include; prompt services, useful professional advice, and saving money and time.
