Finding antique furniture in good structural condition can be exciting. But when you talk to a professional refinisher about bringing back the luster of its better days, you can go into a sticker shock that leaves you ready to pass on the collectible. Refinishing antique wood furniture isn't difficult. It just takes a little patience, the right kinds of tools and a touch reserved for the finer things in life.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You'll Need

    * Soft cloths
    * Small soft-bristle brushes
    * Light steel wool
    * Oil soap
    * Small, sharp wood dowels
    * Antique finishing solution
    * Stripper gel
    * Lacquer

Steps
1
Step One
Clean the furniture thoroughly. Sometimes after a good cleaning, you'll find that the furniture doesn't need refinishing after all. Rub very lightly to remove old wax and polish, but not hard enough to remove any of the original finish that may be intact.
2
Step Two
Inspect the piece carefully before barging in on the refinishing. Make sure corners and edges are free of dust and buildup. Decide if you want to restore it to its original condition, retaining its antique status, or just make it usable.
3
Step Three
Remove all the hardware and clear off any finish buildup. Set the hardware aside to tackle as a separate refinishing job.
4
Step Four
Try using a restoring product that could bring back the piece to its original condition without stripping. Restor-A-Finish is one product available through the Rockler Woodworking and Hardware website.
5
Step Five
Apply a stripper gel to the wood once you've determined you need to strip the piece. Directions on the product typically call for waiting as long as 24 hours between coats of stripper. Rub with steel wool once the piece is dry. Feel for the smoothness that will not reflect any flaws.
6
Step Six
Finish the wood accordingly, using an oil or lacquer. The closer to the original finish you can get, the more the piece can retain collectible status. Polyurethane is not recommended for collectible antiques; it wasn't invented when the piece was made.