Good Stuff
Antiques & Refinishing
Repairing minor finish damage is easy. To help your project go smoothly, review these guidelines from Charles Sutton, president of Sutton House Furniture, a designer and consultant for fine furniture manufacturers.
GLOSSARY OF FURNITURE REPAIR MATERIALS
--Boiled linseed oil: A yellowish oil that serves as a lubricant. (Do not boil the linseed oil. It has already been boiled.) Source: hardware and home improvement stores, as well as paint stores.
--Mineral spirits: Often used to thin or clean up oil-based paints, stains and finishes. They can also be used to remove wax buildup on furniture and floors. Source: Hardware and home improvement stores as well as paint stores.
--Rotten stone: A fine, abrasive limestone powder. Source: Wood refinishing retailers who sell in specialty stores and via the Internet.
--Pumice: An abrasive (harder than rotten stone) derived from volcanic glass. Source: Wood refinishing retailers who sell in specialty stores and via the Internet.
ALCOHOL SPILLS, including cocktails, wine, medicine, perfumes and lotions.
What to do: 1mmediately blot or soak up the spill with a dry, cotton clothe. DO NOT WIPE because wiping will only spread the damage to more of the finish film. Treat the affected area with linseed oil mixed with either rotten stone or pumice. (Look below for descriptions and sources of these materials) Always rub gently in the direction of the grain. Finish by applying a furniture wax and buffing.
CANDLE WAX DRIPS OR CHEWING GUM
What to do: Harden the substance by applying an ice cube wrapped in plastic. Scrape away the cooled wax with a smooth, straightedge plastic spatula or credit card. Do not press or push down into the furniture. Instead, scrape along the wood's surface in the direction of the grain. Clean the area with a cotton cloth that has been dampened lightly with water. Apply a furniture wax and buff.
Tip: To help prevent candles from dripping, freeze them 24 hours before lighting.
SCRATCHES
What to do: Superficial nicks and scratches that have cut into the finish film, or even cut all the way into the wood underneath, can be camouflaged with color treatment and waxing. Wax sticks in a variety of colors are available from the hardware store. Paste shoe polish applied with a cotton swab can be used to color the exposed wood. If the scratch is just on the top of the finish film and not very deep, a simple buffing with furniture wax will restore the luster to the finish.
WHITE RINGS AND WATER MARKS
White rings or marks left by hot or cold containers are the result of moisture that has penetrated the finish film. The white or cloudy appearance means that moisture is trapped or suspended in the film.
What to do: To repair watermarks, the moisture must be released by carefully sanding the finish film back below the damaged area. The key to this repair work is to stop short of cutting completely through the finish film and exposing the wood underneath. Using anyone of the following materials, apply the material onto a dampened cotton cloth, not directly onto the finish film. Rub the affected area gently in the direction of the grain. Then dry and apply furniture wax to another clean cloth and buff.
Suitable materials for watermark repair:
1. Baking soda.
2. Creamy white appliance polish.
3. Ammonia (non-soapy, not the detergent type).
4. Boiled linseed oil mixed with either pumice or rotten stone. (See below for descriptions and sources of these materials.)
STICKING PAPER
Dampen the paper thoroughly with salad oil. Wait five minutes and rub along the grain with extra-fine steel wool (0000). Wipe dry.
WAX CRAYONS
Use a furniture polish with a mineral spirits base. A little mild dishwashing liquid also sometimes works on crayons.
PRESSURE-SENSITIVE STICKERS
Mild rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits will take the paper off. Mineral spirits will remove the glue.
LICK-ON STICKERS
A little water usually will remove the stickers. Once the paper has been removed, the glue will soften and water should remove it.
WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL REFINISHER
Call a professional before attempting repairs if:
--Your furniture finish is cracking, forming a pattern resembling alligator skin or peeling.
--There are deep gashes, cuts, dents or burns in the finish film.
--Nail polish or polish remover has been spilled on the finish.
--Oil-based paint has dried on the surface.
--The surface is marred by magic markers.
--You are unsure as to what kind of finish film (shellac, varnish, lacquer, etc.) is on your furniture.
First Aid for Solid Hardwood Furniture
