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Furniture Restoration & Why it's Important

The D.A.R Woodworm, Allison
Feb 6, 2018
3 min read

When it comes to repairing and restoring furniture, the best method is a non-invasive type.

The basic steps I like to undertake for any piece of furniture that I am asked to work on.

1. The aim is to clean the piece of furniture removing any built up grime and or dust. . This method leaves much of the piece in tact and often has it looking almost new.

The process involves cleaning the piece with warm soapy water, wiping off any excess water, then allow it completely dry.

2. The next step is to carry out repairs to loose components. This may require these components be taken apart, very carefully so as not to add an further damage. An example of this is the most common problem found, which is loose joints.

3. The next step involves the assessment of any damaged or missing parts. The damaged parts are carefully repaired so as to blend into the existing piece. Missing parts are replaced using similar timber as to the original piece. These new parts are then colour matched to the existing finish so as to blend in and not be too obvious.

4. The last step being mainly cosmetic, having the piece come back to life and look as good as new again, but not too brand new !!

If the existing finish is in good condition, it is left alone, and a good furniture polish that is silicone free is applied to the entire piece and then buffed to a subtle glow. If not, then a new finish is applied similar to the original so as to maintain authenticity. Once completely dry the piece has a good furniture polish, silicone free applied and buffed to a subtle glow. If the new finish ends up looking too new then it will be buffed back with some fine steel wool to have more of an aged look.

The main aim in this entire process is to keep the authenticity of the piece unless instructed differently by the customer. I would always advise to do as little as possible to the piece as at times these pieces can have an amazing story and history and it would be a shame to lose this in any way.

Mechanical fixings are avoided as much as possible unless original and the more traditional methods are used to carry out the repairs, such as wooden dowels or wooden splines to maintain structural integrity.

I am always guided by the owner/customer as to what they want. Some may want the piece to maintain its patina and history whilst others want it to be totally revamped and looking almost brand new.

It is definitely up to you how you want your piece to be dealt with.

My recommendations are if it is an old piece, possible antique would be to maintain its authenticity and possible value. Have the piece cleaned and any repairs carried out so as further damage doesn't occur and it lasts another 100 years !! Maintaining patina, which can be described in many ways from discolouration due to light, dints and scratches that aren't too deep and add character. Structurally, the piece needs to be sound so it doesn't fall over or when a door or drawer is opened it doesn't fall apart. Most repairs in wood can be carried out so long as the repairer understands the original process by which it was originally made.

I have been given chairs and tables to repair due to wobbly or loose joints. Someone with less experience has placed screws or nails through the joints to reduce the wobble. This will not ultimately fix the issue as they often work loose and back to the original issue. To properly fix these loose joints they need to be carefully separated, the old glue cleaned out and if the tenons or dowels need to be replaced or repaired this is carried out. Then new glue is added to the joint and put back together then clamped till glue sets and cleaned up. The screw hole is filled using a timber dowel made from the same wood as the original piece and colour matched to the existing and the nail holes are filled with a colour matched wood putty.

You will now have a piece of furniture that has solid joints and can now be used without fear and will last for many years to come and is back to its original state.