Six ways to restore the coating of wooden furniture with your own hands at home. Restoring paintwork How to restore varnished

If a century or two ago, our ancestors passed on sets from generation to generation in practically new condition, then in the modern world, with new technologies, according to statistics, furniture sets change on average 2-3 times in 45-50 years. It is often difficult to part with old furniture - either it is dear as a memory, or it keeps a special comfort, or it is very comfortable and you don’t want to change it. In this case, for thrifty owners, we offer six options for preserving and decorating old furniture. Using the restoration methods below, you can restore any wooden furniture, such as tables, cabinets, chests of drawers,

1. Restoration of the damaged area of ​​the old varnish coating.

If there are no deep cracks and bubbles in the varnish of the damaged area of ​​the product, it is necessary to wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in gasoline until the grease stains are eliminated. Allow the product to dry, and then treat the surface with conditioner, and then wipe it with furniture polish. On a dry surface, go over with a steel wool 4/0 to erase the top thin layer of varnish (a rough surface will create a condition for good adhesion of the wood to the new varnish).
Mandatory: you can not cut through the varnish through!
Remove dust after brushing with a dry cloth and apply several thin layers of a varnish similar to the previous one (or polyurethane, shellac or polish - depending on what the object of restoration was coated with). Let the product dry.

2. Complete removal of the old coating and application of a new one (similar to the old or different).

The old coating must be completely removed. This can be done in two ways: with methylene chloride-containing substances (dissolve the varnish in 15-20 minutes) or water-based compounds (water-based solutions soften the coating for longer, about an hour). Apply the treatment agent in a thick layer and after the time has elapsed, remove the layers of dissolved varnish with a spatula, in the grooves with a string, and in the corners the furniture can be cleaned with a toothbrush. It is recommended to varnish the product again in a horizontal position, placing it on the floor on old newspapers.

3. You can apply the antique furniture processing technique.
The most common are two options for aging.
The secret of the first is to use craquelure varnish (it is he who will give the product the effect of cracks). Sand off the old varnish and apply craquelure varnish to the surface. Let it dry. After drying, apply the main varnish or several shades, depending on the desired result. The varnish will begin to crack, and the color of the cracks will match the color of the varnish where they are formed.

The peculiarity of the second is the use of staining technique. To do this, a layer of water-based stain is applied to the surface of a tree cleaned of old varnish. To give the color of antiquity, the stain must be washed off with a sponge and water (usually the middle parts of objects are lightened, and the edges, depressions, and recesses are left darkened). When the product dries, it is necessary to sand it, and in those places that you plan to leave darkened, apply another layer of stain with a brush or sponge, but on a different basis than the first. Let it dry completely again and then fill the wood pores with shellac primer with a sponge or brush (colored primers can be used for greater depth of color). When the object to be treated is dry, it is necessary to rub antique wax onto the surface along the fibers with a metal brush. When it dries, sand it with a soft cloth.

4. Elimination of deep chips and cracks ("local" restoration).

To “mask” deep cracks in wood, rhombuses are cut out from a similar tree or wood that is close in texture, texture and color to the original object. They are placed in the crack itself and covered with adhesive putty. Then the surface is polished with cycles and varnished / painted, close in color to the product.

5. Drawing a picture together with a monochromatic varnish.

Removal of old varnish is carried out according to the technology described above. Apply a drawing, preferably with oil paints, to the sanded area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe product (Khokhloma will look very rich in the interior!), Paint it and let it dry completely. It is desirable to apply the paint smoothly so that the relief of the pattern does not protrude. On top of the paint, the object is varnished and is ready for use as soon as it dries.

6. Removal of the old surface and upholstery of the product with foam rubber and fabric, leather or leatherette (chairs, stools and kitchenettes).


Remove the old varnish in one of the two ways described above, and varnish again that part of the product that remains visible after the upholstery of the item, with a small spacing of 2-3 centimeters for future overlay (you can use the following fabrics: nubuck, jacquard, flock, tapestry, shinil). When the varnish dries, apply foam rubber to the seat, backs and armrests and upholster it with furniture fabric (leather, leatherette). If desired, you can sew covers for furniture.

Thus, you will not only save the furniture, but also transform it with your own hands and to your taste, and the restoration process will give you great pleasure.

If the furniture is cracked against your will, and how to bring it back to life with simple means.

Scuffs here, scratches there, and soon the eye begins to notice more and more damage to the once flawless finish. The aging of the coatings is inevitable, but this does not mean, however, that it is time to change the furniture for a new one.

How to renew paint finishes, sometimes it is enough just to thoroughly clean the object or apply a new layer of coating, it is much easier than starting with bare wood.

Before you get started, you need to determine what type of coverage you are dealing with. First of all, drop some alcohol in an inconspicuous place (photo A). The shellac coating will dissolve. If this does not happen, do the same with the nitro varnish thinner, which should soften the nitrocellulose coating. If nothing worked out this time, you are dealing with an oil, alkyd, polyurethane or two-component polyester varnish.

If the furniture is relatively new, it is possible that the coating film will be stained. Inspect damaged areas: if the color changes in the place of scratches or abrasions, but the wood is not exposed, you will have to completely remove the coating and reapply the finish. But before you go that far, try some simpler remedies first.

A. The underside of the drawer is the ideal place to check the type of coating with alcohol and then thinner.

Q. A finish that looks worn may be just dirty. Remove the buildup with a soapy tissue and this is a good start to restore the freshness of the finish.

Method number 1.

Start with a thorough cleaning

If the coating is only dull or has barely noticeable dents and scratches, first remove the old film of polish, wax or oil. Wipe the surfaces with a cloth moistened with a mild hand cleaner and dry them immediately after cleaning (photo B). Then remove all traces of wax and oil by treating the coating with mineral spirits.

Now apply a new layer of wax paste, such as Johnson Paste Wax, which will fill in the smallest scratches and give an even shine. Allow the paste to dry before hand polishing with a eccentric sander with a furry attachment (photo C). To avoid damaging the wax finish, do not use aerosol polishes or so-called "lemon oil" (mineral oil with mineral spirits and fragrance additives), which dissolve the wax.

Method number 2.

The next option is to refinish.

If cleaning and waxing did not help, the finish should probably be polished. This is possible if the film is thick enough, as part of it is removed in this process. How to find film thickness? If no bare wood is exposed underneath the scratches, this is a good sign that the film can be worked with. When polishing an existing coating, the procedure is the same as when polishing a new one. First, prepare a white non-woven polishing pad by attaching it to the abrasive disc with double-sided tape. Apply a little polishing liquid to the coating and spread it over the entire surface, moving the sander slowly and making overlapping passes (photo D).

Work slowly and stop when the sheen is even. After that, apply a layer of wax paste.

Method number 3.

Apply a new coat

A surface riddled with rough scratches and dents cannot be refreshed without removing the old coating to bare wood.

C. To make a random orbital sander polishing pad, attach a white non-woven pad to the abrasive side of the sanding pad with tape.

1. Remove fine sanding scratches with a white polishing pad and Finesse-lt II Machine Polish. Check your results often as you work.
2. The silicone found in some furniture polishes can cause bubbles in the new finish or it may flake off like water droplets on an oily surface.

But if the scratches aren't too deep, you can make the finish look old but not worn by applying new coats with sanding in between to make the finish smooth and give it an even sheen. For not too smooth surfaces, use matte and semi-matt finishes. Glossy finishes require a long polishing process, and even small imperfections can be seen on mirror-like surfaces. Start with a thorough brushing, then wipe the surface with mineral spirits to remove any oil, wax, or polish that will cause the new coating to blister and peel off (Photo E). Then lightly sand the surface by hand with #320 sandpaper to prepare it for new coats.

To cover small scratches that expose clean wood, apply a suitable color stain to the damaged area (photo F) and let it dry for 24 hours. Then, using a swab, apply three coats of a film-forming compound, such as Watco Wipe-On Poly, with an intermediate sanding with #320 grit.

1. A dab of stain is an effective and economical way to repair small scratches. Instead of stain, you can use special coloring markers, which are sold in many shopping centers.
2. Aligning the coating film on an uneven surface by grinding, it is easy to wipe through one or more layers through which the lower ones will shine through.

If small dents or abrasions persist after applying new coats, sand them with #320 sandpaper to a uniform matte finish. At the same time, if you grind for too long, whitish spots may appear (photo G), but they will be covered with new layers. Apply the coating and leave to dry for at least a week in a ventilated area to allow the film to harden well. Its readiness for polishing can be determined by the absence of solvent odor, which should evaporate completely.

To polish the new film, first apply some Vaseline oil and sand the surface by hand with #400 and then #600 sandpaper to even out small roughnesses. Inspect the abrasive frequently to ensure that the abrasive grains are not clogged with coating particles. Wipe the surface clean before changing the abrasive. After sanding, proceed to polishing with a random orbital sander with a white fleece attachment. Then polish the finish with a soft cloth and polishing liquid. Stop when the degree of gloss is the same in all areas of the surface.

No matter how carefully we treat furniture, scuffs, scratches, stains still appear sooner or later. They are usually easy to remove. The main rule is that you need to know exactly how and with what you can get rid of a particular type of defect.

1. The wooden surface just lost its luster.Training: we are looking for a care product for the corresponding tree species, orange oil should be present in the composition. We take a clean sponge, moisten it a little and heat it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Be sure to wear rubber gloves coated on the inside. Procedure: We spray the product from the spray gun onto a dry, clean surface, then wipe it with a hot sponge.
2. Removing scuffs or stains on wood surfaces. Procedure: just wipe these places with a banana peel. This method helps only with minor defects.
3. Significant defects (more severe abrasions or stains).Training: we purchase retouching markers of a suitable color (they can be found in furniture fittings stores), denatured alcohol and wax. Procedure: first we clean the surface, for example, with dish detergent and water; after drying, wipe with alcohol - we moisten the swab with alcohol and rub the brightened places well. Almost always the color is restored. Of course, alcohol will not cope with the deepest scratches, we paint over them with a marker of the optimal color. To add shine, the surface is waxed on top and polished with a soft cloth.
4. Small irregularities, can be leveled with a nail file. It is sometimes easier to work with than sandpaper.
5. Slight swelling of wood from moisture. This refers to cases when a leaking vessel was placed on the surface and it is necessary to quickly get rid of the defect. Training: mix salt and olive oil into a paste. Procedure: The mixture is applied to the damage and gently rubbed in a circular motion. We leave for 30 minutes. Salt draws out water, and olive oil restores elasticity to the fibers.
6. Chip restoration. Training: we get putty, suitable for both special for wood and automotive. Procedure: We select the desired color, for this it is easiest to buy a light putty and add color to it if necessary. We cover the chip and smear a little putty on the adjacent surface. After drying, smooth with fine sandpaper.

How to restore the varnish coating and polishing?

Restoring the lacquer layer is a very time-consuming matter and in each case has its own nuances. The only universal task for any restoration is cleaning and removing fat from the surface. The technique described above with dish detergent is quite suitable for solving our problem. After wet cleaning, it is necessary to wipe the coating with a clean, dry cloth and wait for the final drying. Only after that you can proceed to the next steps. Further steps depend on the condition of the furniture, the complexity of its defects, color, etc.

• Scratches and abrasions on dark furniture can be painted over with iodine, while achieving the desired shade with the number of layers applied, or by diluting it with water. Or use furniture markers.
• Deep and whitened scratches cannot be painted over in this way. There are options for this:
  • We prepare a special mastic (mix melted wax and turpentine in a ratio of 4: 3) and apply with a soft cloth for polishing.
  • You can use a shoe polish of a suitable shade.

    First you need to paint over the scratches, and only then restore the coating.

• Remove any stains with gasoline. Wipe the dirt vigorously with a soft cloth soaked in clean gasoline, which will help remove any stains, but you may have to walk several times. Eventually the stain will disappear. After, using linseed oil mixed with denatured alcohol, polish to a shine.
• Wipe white circles from hot cups, plates or other objects with alcohol. It is also possible with several attempts. Polish with linseed oil and denatured alcohol. In especially severe cases, hot stains will help remove a mixture of drying oil and alcohol.

How can I refresh or renew the polish?

Option 1 Necessary: linseed oil, turpentine and vinegar in a ratio of 2:2:1. What to do: mix all the ingredients, apply with a swab or sponge, wait until it is absorbed and polish. Option 2 Necessary: oil and beer in a 1:1 ratio. What to do with mix and wipe the furniture, polish after absorption. Option 3 Necessary: beer and a piece of wax. What to do: boil beer together with a piece of wax, wait until the composition cools down and becomes warm, after which we apply it to the furniture. When the mixture is absorbed, rub the surface to a shine.

Today, lacquered furniture is very popular. Such products look beautiful and give solidity to the interior. At the same time, such furniture has one significant drawback - it is quite easily scratched. Therefore, in order not to purchase new furniture, you can try to restore the old one.

Today, restoration is offered by many companies and private craftsmen. In addition, you can update the furniture with your own hands, following certain recommendations.

Restoration principles

Restoring lacquered furniture is a great way to restore interior items, giving them an attractive appearance. As a rule, to eliminate a scratch, it is enough to wipe off the varnish from the place of damage and re-varnish it. This method allows you to remove any external scratches from lacquered furniture.

However, often the case is not limited to one small scratches. Any varnish can darken over time. Therefore, prolonged use of furniture leads to the fact that its lacquered coating begins to become cloudy. As a result, interior items lose their presentable appearance.

If your problem is the darkening of the varnish, then restoring the furniture will also consist in erasing the old varnish and applying a new one. You can do all these procedures with your own hands.

Restoration technology

Determining the wear of lacquered furniture

The first step is to determine the condition of the surface you plan to restore. The first sign of worn and old furniture that has been in use for a long time is its visual aging. In particular, darkening in the area of ​​​​the thread can be observed on furniture. In addition, a frequent sign of aging is the presence of fine mesh right on the varnished surface.

Of course, if such changes are not significant, then they may not spoil the overall picture, but rather make the furniture more valuable. However, if there is significant damage, it becomes necessary to carry out restoration, which can be entrusted to an experienced craftsman or done by hand. At the same time, you can update the furniture without harming its cultural or antique value. In extreme cases, but the structure of the tree will hide under a layer of paint and the furniture will not have such an attractive appearance.

The choice of material for the restoration of lacquered furniture

It seems to many that you can update lacquered furniture simply with a swab dipped in alcohol. Of course, the alcohol solution can dissolve the outer decorative layer and eliminate the defect. However, such a procedure may leave an indelible mark. Therefore, it is better to choose high-quality recommended materials, which include:

Shellac polish

This material allows you to beautifully emphasize the elegant wood texture, giving it an original shade. Polish is one of the oldest materials for the restoration of lacquered furniture. In its structure, shellac polish is a special varnish that has the consistency of water. For the restoration of wooden surfaces, it is applied in 40-60 layers. Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain a unique color depth.

Nitrocellulose varnish

The material is used to restore large areas covered with varnish. The agent is applied using a special sprayer, which spreads it over the surface at high speed. If the speed were lower, then the droplets would begin to solidify individually. Therefore, it is undesirable to use ordinary spray guns for applying nitrocellulose varnish, as they will leave fragments covered with bubbles. Accordingly, it is recommended to apply this material only in a specialized workshop.

The material is easy to use, which makes it ideal for do-it-yourself restoration. Pentaphthalic varnish does not require special application techniques and at the same time has a high drying speed.

This paint must be applied in at least four coats. The first of these layers acts as a primer. After completion of the restoration work, it is always recommended to polish the varnished surface. If you want to make the surface semi-matt, then pentaphthalic varnish is best applied with a swab. On the contrary, if you want to get a glossy surface of the lacquer, it is better to choose a brush and carefully carry out the final polishing.

After choosing the type of paintwork, you need to decide on the color. For example, you can treat the surface with a colorless varnish, or you can use a colored paintwork. If you chose the second option, then you should choose the right color for the varnish.

Selection of tools

To carry out the restoration of lacquered furniture, you need to choose the right tool that you need to do the work yourself.

Basic tools for restoring lacquered furniture:

• solution "Maalipesu";
• masking tape;
• brushes for painting with varnish;
• sandpaper, spatula and metal scraper;
• special putty for wood;
• a rag or brush to remove dust and dirt;
• soft sponge for washing;
• cardboard or plastic wrap to protect nearby surfaces;
• White Spirit.

Stages of restoration of lacquered furniture

1. Preparatory stage

• the surface of lacquered furniture should be thoroughly washed with the Maalipesu solution, and then rinsed with plain warm water;
• using a scraper, it is necessary to remove cracked and exfoliated varnish;
• with sandpaper, you need to sand the wooden surface to a matte state;
• remove dust with a rag, brush or cloth.

1. Lacquer step

Basically, all varnished surfaces are restored with water-based or acrylic-based compounds.

Coating with water-based paint:

• on the prepared surface, apply 2-3 layers of glossy or matte varnish, depending on your choice;
• after covering the surface with the next layer, you must wait until the varnish dries;
• a dry surface is recommended to be sanded a little and cleaned with a brush from dust;
• After completion of all work, the tools should be washed with soapy water.

Restoration with acrylic based varnish:

• choose the optimal variant of varnish in terms of gloss, which would suit your interior;
• use the selected varnish for priming the surface, diluting it with white spirit by 10 or 15%;
• the surface primed with one layer of varnish should be sanded a little;
• then it is necessary to cover the furniture with two layers of undiluted paint and varnish composition;
• after coating with another layer, it is recommended to additionally grind the surface;
• after completion of all work, the tools should be thoroughly cleaned with white spirit.

1. Sanding step with sandpaper

At the final stage, after applying all layers of varnish, it is necessary to carefully sand the surface to a matte state. In this case, dust should be removed with a brush or cloth.

Following all these rules, you will get a high-quality lacquered surface of the furniture, which will regain its original aesthetic appearance.