Learn about these refinishing used furniture tips and how refinishing used furniture will help improve the sale price of your item.
Refinishing Used Furniture Tips
Oftentimes in your search for good used furniture you’ll
encounter a strikingly beautiful chest, rocking chair, or
other item that could be even more strikingly
beautiful if the object weren’t painted algae green or mud
brown. When this happens, don’t pass the piece up . . .
instead, buy it and refinish it. Afterwards, you’ll have an
item that’s much more valuable — and much
more marketable — than it would otherwise
have been.
It’s not difficult to refinish furniture. Here’s what
you’ll need in the way of supplies:
[1] A couple of paint brushes.
[2] Light-bodied furniture stripper.
[3] No. 2 steel wool and cotton rags.
[4] Small tools (toothpicks, nail files, etc.) for working
the paint out of deep crevices in the wood.
[5] Furniture stain (optional).
[6] Varnish, wax, boiled linseed oil, or tung oil (as
desired).
[7] A well-ventilated working area.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions when you work with
the stripper. Try to avoid breathing the fumes, and
whatever you do, don’t smoke or light a match . . . most
light-bodied finish removers are exceedingly flammable.
After you’ve removed the old finish from the chest, chair,
or whatever, it’s time to put on a new preservative. I
prefer boiled linseed oil, since it [1] can be applied
easily with a soft cloth, [2] keeps wood from drying out,
and [3] brings out the true beauty of the grain. (Also,
linseed oil has a non-toxic and — in my opinion — pleasing odor.) The oil’s only drawback is that it takes a long time to dry . . . two or three days, depending on temperature and humidity. Apply two to three
coats for a nice, uniform finish, and allow the object to
dry completely between coats.
After you’ve stripped and refinished a couple of pieces of
furniture, you’ll have gotten the hang of the operation . . .
and you’ll be well on your way to earning higher profits in
the used furniture biz.
Read more about the used furniture business: I Make Big Profits Buying and Selling Used Furniture.
