Give New Life to Old Furniture and Prepare for Summer
Rather than replacing your old furniture with new ones, some tactics can help you restore their pristine looks. Recycling is in trend, so wherever you are in the world, in the high temperatures in the UAE, which lead to fading due to intense UV radiation, or in the Northern cold of Norway, which ruins your wooden outdoor furniture – be in trend and give new life to old things. (FYI hot weather causes more damage than cold) . Read on to enlighten yourself on meaningful techniques to restore new life to your old furniture, particularly when approaching summer.
Oiling
Oiling is one of the best approaches to restoring old furniture, as it nourishes wood. In addition, various types of oils are used in outdoor furniture repair and act as a preservative. Oiling your furniture is a great idea as it is a natural technique rather than using harsh chemicals.
Using oil to restore old furniture also gives it a natural shine, which improves its aesthetics in the scorching summer heat. Oiling furniture helps eradicate dents and scratches by smoothing surfaces.
You can use oil in an assortment of furniture, like tables, cabinets, boxes, and chairs, to mention a few. That’s why this option has been used to restore wood since ancient times.
Use Solvent Cleaners
There are many solvent cleaners, such as alcohol, mineral spirits, and turpentine, to use when restoring old furniture. This is because this option is prominent for its unmatched cleaning power, among other benefits like:
• Fast drying
• Quick cleaning to save time
• Removes contaminants like grease and dirt
• Has numerous options to use
The solvent strength depends on the extent of degradation of your old furniture. This is also because some solvents can be effective on certain wood types and vice versa. Remember to maintain safety precautions as some chemicals can be toxic.
Sanding
Sanding is mostly used to provide a smooth finish on degraded furniture. You can use power 4sanders or sandpapers to scrap the top surface before refining it with other wood restoration procedures. Sanding has also been used to revive old furniture by eradicating dents and scratches.
Another advantage of this method is that it allows you to adjust the level of wood to your liking. It is also recommended that you coat the furniture with other products, especially ones that can withstand the summer heat.
However, you need to be cautious when sanding as it can further damage the quality of the furniture. Also, keep in mind that sanding emits dust, which requires protection when executing the procedure.
Milk Paint
Milk paint is a nontoxic approach to restoring old furniture that has similar benefits to using chalk paint. It is also great for DIY projects as milk painting is time-saving and does not require seasoned experience. This is because it does not require prior preparations such as sanding and blends well with wood for a refined finish.
This method can be used by rookies as it is easy to apply, and the paint flows seamlessly. Milk paint provides a rich color with a matte finish that does not only protect your furniture from adverse weather conditions but also boosts furniture beauty. Nowadays, milk paint comes with several pigments and preservatives that enhance the quality when restoring old furniture.
Bottom Line
Restoring old furniture is a great idea besides purchasing new ones, especially if it has more than monetary value in your life. Luckily, there are many techniques to refine your old wood properties to match its pristine condition. They include oiling, sanding, milk painting, and solvent cleaning. These methods have distinct merits that are worth considering, as articulated in the above guide.