The Professional Way To Wax Polish Antique And Vintage Furniture
Polishing antique and vintage furniture can be a rewarding experience, especially when done correctly. Wax polishing is one of the best ways to bring out the beauty of your old furniture and make it look as good as new. Wax polish is an effective way of protecting the furniture from scratches and wear, while also giving it a glossy and beautiful finish. It is important to wax polish antique and vintage furniture the right way, as improper methods can lead to damage and discoloration. This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on the professional way to wax polish antique and vintage furniture. With the right technique and a little bit of patience, you can make your old furniture look like new again.
Polishing With Beeswax
This natural remedy does not change the color of the wood, consists of turpentine and beeswax, two natural oily substances, after polishing which the surface of the wood looks smooth and shiny. For the preparation you will need 1/4 cup of beeswax, which should be melted by stirring with a wooden spoon. Once the wax has dissolved, you need to take it off the fire and slowly add to a container 1/4 cup turpentine, after cooling pour into a sealed container, where it is recommended to store the product. If desired, you can add essential oils to the polishing paste, to neutralize the strong smell of turpentine. Apply a small amount of the product to a rag and rub it into the furniture or floor.
How Do I Clean Off The Old Wax Polish On My Furniture?
You can remove furniture old wax polish with solvents known to everyone, such as turpentine, denatured alcohol solution or ammonia. To remove the old wax polish, carefully rub one of these remedies into the surface of the furniture using thin metal wool. By the way, this method of removing varnish is the easiest and most popular among people.
You can also remove old wax polish from furniture with the help of ordinary acetone. Soak a prepared rag in this substance, spread it on the lacquered surface and cover it with polyethylene, so that the acetone does not evaporate. After half an hour, remove the softened varnish with a spatula. The effectiveness of this method of removing old wax polish depends entirely on the quality of the varnish.
On the shelves of specialized stores you can find special solvents and rinsers, designed to remove old wax polish from various surfaces. Use them properly, following the supplied instructions, because if the remover penetrates deep enough into the micropores of the wood, the subsequent application of varnish on this surface will be virtually impossible. Use a small brush to apply the flush to grooves, grooves, hollows, and other hard-to-reach areas of furniture.
A great helper for removing old wax polish from furniture is a sander. With it, you can get rid of old varnish in minutes. First, use a coarse sanding pad, and then a fine sanding pad. Compact sanders are available that are connected to a vacuum cleaner. When they are used, the dust produced by sanding does not fly in different directions.
Some people prefer to remove old wax polish from furniture with the help of special construction hair dryers. This method is not entirely successful, because removing lacquer with such a hair dryer, for example, from solid veneer, can lead to peeling of the veneer.
Is It OK To Use Aerosol Spray Polishes On My Antique Furniture?
No, using polishes to treat antique furniture is not allowed under any circumstances. If you think about it yourself, you will realize that it is quite logical. In the “young age” of antiques no chemicals for the protection of tables, chairs, etc. have not yet been heard of. Then they used ordinary wet rags, and they made sure that the latter were soft. You should do the same. In this case, the antique furniture will serve you for as long as possible.
7 Reasons Not To Use Spray Polish On Your Furniture
When it comes to polishing furniture, many people turn to spray polish as an easy and convenient option. However, there are several reasons why you should avoid using spray polish on your furniture.
1. It’s difficult to control.
When you spray polish onto furniture, it’s difficult to control where the polish goes. This can lead to an uneven finish and overspray on surrounding surfaces.
2. It can build up.
Because spray polish is so difficult to control, it can easily build up on surfaces. Over time, this build-up can make furniture look dull and dirty.
3. It’s messy.
Spray polish is notoriously messy. It’s easy to accidentally get polish on your clothing or carpet. And, if you’re not careful, you can end up with a sticky mess.
4. It’s wasteful.
Because spray polish is so difficult to control, a lot of it ends up going to waste. Every time you use spray polish, you’re essentially throwing money away.
5. It’s harmful to the environment.
Most spray polishes contain harmful chemicals that can damage the environment. When these chemicals are released into the air, they can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
6. It’s flammable.
Many spray polishes contain flammable chemicals. If these polishes are used near an open flame, they can easily catch fire.
7. It’s bad for your furniture.
Spray polish can actually damage your furniture. The chemicals in spray polish can interact with the finish on your furniture, causing it to become dull and discolored.
So, next time you’re tempted to reach for the spray polish, think twice. There are much better and safer ways to polish your furniture.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Oil-based Polishes On Your Wood Furniture
Using low-quality oil
It is worth considering that even quite high-quality universal oil can be less effective (most likely it will be) than specialized formulations. It is worth choosing products designed to solve a specific problem.
The oil is not stirred before use
Why do you need to stir the oil? To lift the pigments that have settled to the bottom. If this is not done, the color of the oil will be darker somewhere and lighter somewhere on different areas of the wood. This is especially risky when using dye oil.
Using oil from different batches without mixing
The composition of oil in different batches may vary slightly, including the concentration of dye pigments. If oil from different batches is not mixed, the surface will be painted unevenly.
Excessive application of oil
A small excess of oil during application not only does not hurt, but is even recommended. But sometimes too much oil is applied: so it takes a long time to dry, especially at the seams.
More often than not, this mistake is due to the fact that:
- working with oil as with paints: the product is not “stretched” on the surface;
- apply the composition with low-quality brushes or foam sponges;
- use more oil to get a saturated tone;
- do not polish when applying oil on hard wood (beech, maple, larch) or when using oil with a high dry residue.
Why Are Homemade Furniture Polishes So Bad?
Furniture polish is designed to protect wood surfaces and keep them looking shiny and new. However, many store-bought polishes contain harsh chemicals that can damage your furniture over time.
Homemade furniture polishes are often made with natural ingredients like olive oil or beeswax. While these may be better for your furniture, they can still damage it if not used correctly.
Olive oil, for example, can leave behind a greasy residue that attracts dirt and dust. Beeswax can make your furniture look cloudy and can be difficult to remove.
When using any type of polish on your furniture, it’s important to test it in an inconspicuous area first. This will help you determine if the polish is compatible with your furniture’s finish.
It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. This will help you avoid damaging your furniture and voiding any warranties.
If you’re looking for a natural furniture polish, there are a few recipes you can try. Just be sure to test them in a small area first and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.