Alan Herd's Tips for restoring furniture
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
If you are a novice restorer, the choice of furniture you
buy is very important, buying a piece that is beyond your
capability will only put you off further projects. A good
starter piece would be one which has loose joints and a deteriorated
finish. Twenty pounds should buy you a good first item, probably
a chair, small table or a cupboard. Make sure all of the components
are there and select several lots (if you are buying at auction)
in order to avoid disappointment. Ask the auction staff what
each chosen piece is expected to cost.
BUYING FOR PROFIT
Most auction buyers don't want anything that requires a lot
of work as this can greatly add to the cost. However, if you
are able to restore pieces, you have the opportunity to make
money. View the furniture prior to the auction and spend plenty
of time examining it thoroughly, you may still miss something
though.
Set your upper limit for each piece you choose and stick
to it. You will find interesting pieces at general sales.
These often cost less than they would at fine antique sales.
See Eric's Auction Tips
for more information.
WHERE TO SELL
Having restored your furniture, it is a good idea to try
to place these items in an antique sale rather than a general
sale because there will be more buyers, which can lead to
bidding wars and therefore higher prices for you.
As internet auction sites are becoming more and more popular
why not put your own photo's on? They will then reach huge
audiences all around the world.
THE RESTORATION PROCESS
- The first process in furniture restoration is to assess
the piece and visualize it completed. In doing this you
will hopefully overcome the most common mistake made, that
is, over restoration. Over restoration will reduce the value
of the piece and negate all your hard effort.
- The first physical process is to make the item structurally
sound by taking apart any loose joints, clean away any old
glue and re-assemble, making sure not to leave new glue
on show. Try to use the original parts whenever possible.
If there is any loose, broken or missing veneer now is the
time to replace it. Using old timber of the same species
and grain pattern will help when colour matching.
- It is now time to stain or colour match the piece. Take
care when doing this and bear in mind that French polishing
will change the colour again.
- As a beginner it is best to have plenty of stain colours
so you can experiment more easily.
- Once satisfied with the finished colour you can begin
French polishing. Three different sized French polishing
mopps will be enough to start with. Don’t overcharge
the mopp with polish and always brush with the grain.
- After several coats of French polish it is usual to apply
a couple of coats of good quality wax to finish.
PITFALLS
- Choosing furniture which needs restoration way beyond
your experience.
- Not having a workroom which you can heat to at least 18†C.
- Over restoration.
RESTORATION TOOLS
- Rubber mallet
- claw hammer
- bevel edged chisels
- marking gauge
- squar
- sliding bevel
- tenon sawscrapers
- wood drills
- drill
- smoothing plane
- block plane
- craft knife
- metal ruler
- sharpening stone
- cramps
- web clamp
- pincers
- screwdrivers
- punches
MATERIALS REQUIRED
- A small quantity of various species of timber e.g. English
oak, mahogany, beech, walnut, pine.
- A small quantity of veneers of the same timber species.
- PVA glue
- one part resin powder glue
- various colours of spirit stains
- white and brown button French polish
- Clear, medium and dark wax polish
- lint free cotton cloths
- wire wool of three grades 0, 00 & 000
- A small quantity of good quality fine abrasive paper.
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