Renovating old furniture - Part I Removing old finish

You've probably heard more than once from people that in the background of their new or renovated flat, the furniture they had in their previous design, seems outdated and they want to replace it or match it to the interior.

Before you decide to buy new furniture, we'll share some tips to help you match the old and new design.

You can also liven up your old furniture by painting or adding visual details. If you're passionate about crafts and love making interesting details with your own hands, then follow our tips:

Refurbish old objects

As a rule, wooden furniture and things (doors, windows, shutters, etc.) are covered with paint or varnish. To renovate such items, the first step is to remove the old paint. There are several ways to remove paint:

Mechanical processing

A metal scraper, emery cloth or spatula can be used for the initial treatment. Also, depending on the working specification, a relatively unconventional method can be used and the old surface can be cleaned with glass. If an emery cloth is used, it is advisable to first use a coarse-grained emery cloth to remove the old surface and, after removing the main layer, to use a relatively fine-grained emery cloth to treat the surface.

One type of machining is processing with an electric tool; this method is much more convenient and quicker than other methods. Using an electric grinder will simplify the process and save you a lot of time and effort.

Chemical treatment

In addition to mechanical treatment, chemical treatment may also be used to break down the coated material by chemical attack and then remove it in various ways. You should seek professional advice before attempting chemical treatment because the wrong remover can damage the entire piece of furniture.

Heat treatment

Paintwork can be removed quite easily using a technical layer. You can heat and soften the surface by applying heat, and then you can easily remove the unwanted layer with a spatula or other tools.

*Please note - if you use a technical layer, it is recommended to protect your nose and eyes to avoid causing a reverse reaction when the varnish is heated.

In addition to the methods described above, there is also sandblasting of the surface. Paint and/or varnish removal by sandblasting is a rather complicated process that requires a high degree of precision, otherwise, the surface underneath the coating may be damaged. Soda is often used instead of sand.

Once the surface has been blasted, you can move on to the next stage and think about redesigning the cleaned furniture. However, before you start painting, be sure to wait for part two of our blog where we will share with you the necessary tips and tricks to consider when painting.

Follow The Citadeli blog and #repairsmartly with us.