Wooden Garden Furniture Restoration
Wooden furniture sets are perfect for both indoor and outdoor use and most of our outdoor or garden furniture sets are treated with sealant for them to last longer. However, as time flies, these sealants wears off, thus your furniture will now be exposed to sunlight, rain, and snow, which definitely will cause damage and made your wooden garden furniture looks dull and old and thus, restoration is needed. However, before you can restore your wooden furniture perfectly, it is important that you first indentify the furniture’s old finish. In this way, you will determine the right restoration technique to apply. It is important to keep in mind that finishes like oil, wax, and penetrating seals need reapplication to restore. Your wooden garden furniture may have dirt, cracks, discolor, or wear; you can always have the right technique to restore them after you have determined its old finish.
Restoring through cleaning
Cleaning is one of the easiest techniques that you can do to restore your wooden garden furniture. This will of course works effectively on dirt. Even that well-cared furniture still has no escape in acquiring dust and dirt, which of course can be removed using oil-based wood cleaners. These cleaners or conditioners are commercially available in furniture stores near you.
Upon purchasing your wood cleaner or conditioner, take time to read the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it using a soft cloth. After a thorough application, leave for an hour or two, and then wipe off using another cloth. Repeat the process until your wooden furniture is clean. If at some point in time, a commercial cleaner will not work out, you can clean your wooden garden furniture with warm soapy water. However, keep in mind not to soak your furniture piece or pour the solution over, as it will leave a white haze if your wooden furniture has shellac or lacquer finish. After cleaning the furniture, rinse off the detergent and dry it using a soft cloth or towel. If inevitably, a white haze appears, you can remove it with a steel wool. Buff the furniture surface lightly, apply a cleaner or conditioner right after, and buff again.
If your detergent solution still does not work, using a solvent is your next choice. This may damage your furniture finish that is why it is important that you know the old finish of your furniture. If your furniture has varnish or lacquer finish, use denatured alcohol, while mineral spirits or turpentine can be used on various finish. Apply the solvent unto your furniture on a well-ventilated area or better yet, in an open space using an old towel. Using another clean cloth, wipe the furniture clean, and apply cleaner or conditioner. One can also use the same detergent solution on their wicker and rattan furniture, following the same simple procedure.
However, one must note though that if his or her furniture has cracks, scratched, or has an alligator-type texture, cleaning may not be the restoring technique applicable.
Restoring through re-amalgamation of an Old Finish
This restoration technique is ideal for furniture with alligator-like, cracked, crazed, and scratched finish. Doing this technique will eliminate the need to refinish your piece of furniture. Before doing it, you must take not that you can use denatured alcohol for re-amalgamation if your furniture has shellac finish, lacquer thinner if has a lacquer finish, and a mixture of alcohol and lacquer thinner if your furniture has lacquer/shellac finish. If your furniture piece has a varnish finish, then re-amalgamation will not work out. Of course, before doing the restoration process, cleaning must be done first. Re-amalgamation must be done fast especially if you are working with lacquer. Do the process repeatedly if the furniture piece has deep cracks. After re-amalgamating, buff the surface with No.0000 steel wool, apply some wax and buff again with clean cloth. If the repeated process will not work, then probably the wood itself has the problem and refinishing will do the job.
Restoring through salvaging discolored finish
Discoloration is a common problem with wooden furniture and this is normally caused by moisture, prolonged high humidity, exposure to water, and old age. To salvage discolored finish, dip your No.0000 steel wool in mineral oil, linseed oil, or salad oil and rub on the wood. After rubbing the furniture with oil, wipe to dry using a soft cloth and polish using a hard paste wax.
Restoring through over coating Old Furniture Finish
It is inevitable for a wooden furniture finish to wear out and if this happens with your piece, you can restore your furniture by over coating its old finish. First, clean your furniture piece’s surface with mineral spirits, denatured alcohol if your furniture has lacquer or varnish finish. Make sure you have removed all dirt and grease then apply a new coat. If any of the mentioned technique will not work out in your furniture, then maybe you can put some decoration as an alternative for your furniture’s old finish.