Question: When To Restore My Antiques?

When should you restore antiques?

Consider the Extent of the Damage This can include a faded or crackled finish and other signs of age or wear. However, pieces that are actually broken or are so damaged that they are eyesores, as well as those that have already lost their original finish, may be good candidates for professional restoration.

Does restoring an antique lower the value?

“ Antiques Roadshow generally agrees with this notion: Well-conceived and well-executed refinishing and restoration usually enhances the value of just about any piece of old furniture”. And they usually don’t make the point that anything repaired and or refinished was probably in pretty poor shape to begin with.

Is it OK to refinish antiques?

Antique furniture will often diminish in value if they are refinished. Unless the finish is seriously damaged, you would be better off to leave it alone. And if it is significantly damaged, unless you are an experienced refinisher, this is a job best left to the pros.

How do you tell the age of antique furniture?

How to Determine the Age of Antique Furniture

1. Look Past the Style of a Piece.
2. Examine Bottoms, Insides, and Backs.
3. Check for Perfectly Matching Elements.
4. Try to Figure Out What Tools Were Used.
5. Look at the Wood and Upholstery Fabric.
6. Investigate the Screws and Other Hardware.

How much does it cost to restore an antique?

Furniture Refinishing Cost Calculator

National Average	$595
Typical Range	$331 – $877
Low End – High End	$150 – $1,476

Does painting an antique devalue it?

If an antique is valuable – say 4 figures and higher – covering an original finish, with the aged patina of years of loving care, painting that piece will affect its value – almost guaranteed, negatively.

Why has antique furniture lose value?

Dealers, auctioneers and designers point to a number of reasons for the declining interest in antiques and rapid rise of contemporary design. More homes have open-concept, casual living spaces rather than formal dining rooms and studies, which reduces the need for stately mahogany dining tables, chairs and cabinets.

Why do antiques lose value?

Informed buyers are far less likely to overpay or at least enter into a transaction without being informed on market data. What that means is more buyers are less likely to feel their ” antiques have lost value ” because they entered the deal at a more informed price point.

How do you revive old wood?

How To Revive Old Wood

1. Sand Lightly. Using something like 120-grit sandpaper make sure there isn’t any dirt or loose wood fibers lingering.
2. Apply Oil. Mix up a 50/50 solution of boiled linseed oil and turpentine.
3. Prime & Paint. Using a good oil-based primer, cover the bare wood after the oil is cured.

How do you refinish antiques?

Use a tack cloth or damp cloth to remove sanding dust.

1. prev. apply stripping agent to furniture.
2. prev. remove residue with old cut off paintbrush.
3. prev.
4. use hammer to give new wood distressed look.
5. Apply the Stain.
6. attach replacement pieces to furniture.
7. Sand the Entire Piece.
8. apply stain with lint free rag.

How do you restore faded wood?

Mix thoroughly ¾ cup of oil (canola oil is perfect) and ¼ cup of vinegar (white or apple cider). Follow application instructions, and your wood pieces will be looking as good as new in no time! You can also repair scuffs by rubbing them with a walnut!

Should you reupholster antique furniture?

Upholstering antique furniture is a great way to keep it useful and usable, and it can be done using fabrics that either match the original fabrics or fabrics that are a completely new update. If you want to find a way to incorporate your antique furniture into your home, consider upholstery.

Is my antique furniture worth anything?

If you go to a dealer looking for the value of antique furniture (without purchasing an appraisal), the price they give you will most likey be the wholesale value. This is the cost they would be willing to pay for an item, which can be anywhere from 30%-50% less than the retail value.

What is considered antique?

A true antique (Latin: antiquus; ‘ old ‘, ‘ancient’) is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old (or some other limit), although the term is often used loosely to describe any object that is old.

How do I identify an antique?

How to Identify Antique Furniture

1. Examine all sides of the piece. If it’s a table, turn it over and look for marks or labels.
2. Check the surface of the piece. Do you see saw marks?
3. Look at the joinery. Are drawers dove-tailed?
4. Check the finish of the piece.