Wednesday, December 05, 2007

How To Repair Furniture With Water Ring Damage


Sometimes we spend a lot of money on the furniture that we put in our homes. When we purchase expensive pieces we want them to last a lifetime if possible, and today quality furniture is more expensive than ever.

With proper care it can last us our lifetime and in many cases we can pass it on to our children. That is how we acquire many antiques that have been passed down to us, that and some really good garage and estate sales. It might sound redneck, but you can sometimes even find good furniture just thrown away at the dump or on the side of the street, especially in wealthy communities that sometimes throw furniture away just because they want something new.

Sometimes the finishes on older furniture can be worn down from wear over time and can be more susceptible to damage. They can be scratched more easily and they will show more. Most people today know that refinishing antique pieces of furniture can diminish their value when and if they are resold.

Antique dealers recommend that you keep the furniture well dusted and use only a quality paste furniture wax or beeswax. This is good to use on new furniture as well.

Even when we try to give our furniture the best of care things will probably happen to it anyway. The scars of time and everyday wear are bound to show up sometimes, especially if you have children. Water damage from water rings is one of the most common accidents that can mar the tops of our furniture’s finishes.

Many times these rings where someone has sat down a glass that either spilled or had condensed moisture settled at the outside bottom of the glass, will be white. One method used to clean these white water rings is to use a dab of toothpaste on a soft cotton cloth. Buff the spot carefully going with the grain of the wood and then remove with a clean cotton cloth.

Dark water damage spots are common on furniture for the same reason as the white rings, only if the spot has blackened it can mean that the water has eaten through the finish on the wood and mold is growing in it. Dark spots are more serious than the milder white ones.

To repair these spots you should remove the finish and clean with bleach. This will kill the mold and then the piece of furniture can be refinished. If the furniture is perhaps a valuable antique, you might want to consider having a professional do it to avoid possibly damaging the piece further.

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