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| Fast Fixes for Old and New Furniture |
| Freshen up your old furniture with some fast fixes, or make a new chair look like an antique. |
From "Today Show Tips"
episode DTST-103 |
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Just because your furniture takes a lot of wear and tear doesn't mean it has to look tired. Freshen up your old furniture with some fast fixes. Or make a new chair look like an heirloom. Here's how to restore, refinish and repair your furniture on the cheap.Stripping Old Furniture
- Safety is always first. Wear safety goggles is important, a mask and gloves for your hands. Work outside if possible; otherwise, be sure to have good ventilation in the work area.
- Look for one of the new strippers, which are much safer than the older products. They don't work quite as quickly, but they're very effective if you give them enough time. Apply the stripper, and let it sit on the wood overnight.
- The next day, use a scraper and synthetic steel-wool pads to remove the stripper and the finish. Synthetic steel wool works better than the real thing, which tends to fall apart.
Once the finish is off, sand the furniture. A power sander will make the job a lot easier. Power sanders are inexpensive and easy to use.
Then use a tack cloth to get all of the dust off the piece.
Use a pad to work the stain into the wood. Be sure to use even strokes, and blend the stain well to avoid streaks. Let the stain dry overnight or longer, depending on the humidity. Use steel wool to smooth down the grain; the stain will cause it to rise a little.
Once you have the color you want, you can apply the finish, such as an oil-based polyurethane. Again, use even strokes. Sponge applicators are easy to use and very effective for this job.
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Fast Fixes for Old and New Furniture |
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