Restoring Antique Bdrm Set
#1
02-25-01, 08:34 AM
I inherited a late 1930's mohagany bedroom set from my grandmother and the beds are falling apart. Meaning the glue is drying up and the funiture is coming loose. My father had a furniture restorer go look at it and he told him that he wanted some out rageous amount to restore it, meaning, stripping it and refurnishing it and gluing it back together. By stripping it, wouldn't that cause the furniture to lose its value. What can be done to save the furniture and bring back its luster. Thanks.
#2
02-25-01, 01:00 PM
Member
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: South Hill, Va. USA
Posts: 2,817
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Princess:
The only proper way to repair loose joinery is to dismantle it, clean the old glue off, and re-glue it.
As far as reducing its value, you'll have to talk to a certified appraiser who can actually look at the furniture to determine if this is the case.
Many finishes can be 'restored' to their original appearance, or close to it, by a thorough cleaning, followed by a coat of lacquer. This can either be done professionally, or by the home owner, using aerosols. I know aerosols don't sound very professional, but the lacquer contained in today's cans is equal to or better than that originally applied in the 1930's.
About 1 time in 20, when called upon to refinish a piece, I find a good cleaning followed by a good paste wax application is all that's necessary to restore the appearance. Mechanical repairs, as I mentioned above, are a separate issue.
By the Way - your father talked to a refinisher - not a restorer. Restorers don't strip furniture except as a very last resort.
The only proper way to repair loose joinery is to dismantle it, clean the old glue off, and re-glue it.
As far as reducing its value, you'll have to talk to a certified appraiser who can actually look at the furniture to determine if this is the case.
Many finishes can be 'restored' to their original appearance, or close to it, by a thorough cleaning, followed by a coat of lacquer. This can either be done professionally, or by the home owner, using aerosols. I know aerosols don't sound very professional, but the lacquer contained in today's cans is equal to or better than that originally applied in the 1930's.
About 1 time in 20, when called upon to refinish a piece, I find a good cleaning followed by a good paste wax application is all that's necessary to restore the appearance. Mechanical repairs, as I mentioned above, are a separate issue.
By the Way - your father talked to a refinisher - not a restorer. Restorers don't strip furniture except as a very last resort.
#3
02-27-01, 04:04 AM
CP, As far as the value of your furniture after stripping it goes, do what you think you would like best, I do refinish alot of old pieces and I don't really care about the value because I still know I have a well built piece that was built many years ago by a craftsman, granted not any of the things I have refinished is worth a fortune ( a couple of bucks maybe ). I always take my time and do a good job that I am always proud of when I am done. The Antique's Road Show might not agree with me, but this is what I like.
Happy refinshing
Happy refinshing
