Though older wood furniture has character, unsightly nicks, cracks, and fading colour can take away its charm.  Here are some simple ways to cover signs of wear and tear and bring back the shine!

As wood furniture ages, it starts to lose its luster. The finish underneath begins to break down and the colour of the wood can start to darken because of years of buildup of oils and dirt, particularly in areas that are frequently touched such as handles and edges. To treat this problem, use a rag loaded with Dynamic paint thinner to remove the dust, dirt and debris.  Areas that are touched regularly should be cleaned at least twice a year to keep oils and dust from building up and causing permanent damage.

To repair scratches on shellacked and lacquered surfaces, take a Dynamic natural bristle paint brush and apply Dynamic lacquer thinner or Dynamic liquid sandpaper to the crack lines.  This will soften the finish and fill in the crack. Allow the finish to harden overnight, and then buff with paste wax using Dynamic cheesecloth to create a brilliant finish.

If the wood furniture is varnished, simply apply a little Dynamic Danish Teak oil to the scratch and, in most cases, it will disappear.  Unfortunately this is only temporary so you will need to oil regularly. Alternatively, you can lightly sand the piece using Dynamic Wet ‘n’ Dry 600 grit sandpaper until the scratch disappears. Then, apply a coat of paste wax and buff to a shine.

When moisture becomes trapped below a film of wax or the finish itself, it creates white, cloudy rings and blotches on wood furniture. There are several ways you can attempt to eliminate these blemishes. First, try and clean the blotches using a small amount of Dynamic Acetone with a soft cloth and simply rub it away.  If this fails, using paint thinner, dampen a small section of cloth and slowly pass it over the area as close to the surface as you can without touching it. The moisture should escape as the fumes from the cloth open up the surface.  If this fails, gently sand the area with 600 grit sandpaper, then take your solvent dampened cloth and make several passes over the damaged area. Allow it to dry for an hour and then apply a coat of paste wax to seal.

After following these simple steps, you won’t want to hide your older wood furniture in the corner anymore - a few cosmetic cover ups can help rediscover a unique showpiece for your home!