Comments on: Regular Maintenance for Antique Furniture – a List of ‘Don’t Do’s’

By: Millie O'Reilly

Millie O'Reilly — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:50:54 +0000

Another very good article full of information. Can’t wait to read what you write next. How do you know so much?

By: Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:41:19 +0000

Ellen – You need proferssional help to restore the missing finish on the drawers. The faded top can be improved by the application of a tinted paste wax such as Howard’s or BriWax. Just pick the right tint and apply a thin coat.

Good luck.

Fred Taylor

By: Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:38:13 +0000

Gary – If the stain is white, it is water trapped within the matrix of the finish. Do yourself a favor and call a professional touch up artist. It is a 30 second problem using a professional product called “No-Blush.”

If the stain is black the water has penetrated the wood and reacted with the tannin. It mus be stripped and bleached with oxalic acid, another job for a pro.

Home rememdies for water stains usually create more problems and add to the final bill for the professional restoration artist.

Good luck.

Fred Taylor

By: ellen romano

ellen romano — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:12:54 +0000

Hello, i have an antique vanity that has area’s above the handles that the finish has worn off. apparently the previous owner didn’t use the handles to close the draw. also on the top the finish has faded. what can i do to make it look better. i see you said don’t use pledge. do i need a professional to fix this.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:25:20 +0000

Please could you help. I am trying to rid my furniture of a water stain it is on a piece of mahognay, is there anything I can do to get rid of the stain, I have been told to use a brazil nut!! Thank you

Gary.

By: Millie Golden

Millie Golden — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:12:32 +0000

Fred, thank you for the valuable tips. I look forward to reading your information whenever I can find it. You give the information in such an easy to understand way — no bull, no fluff like so many other “experts”. Keep up the good work!

By: Roslyn Chancey

Roslyn Chancey — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:11:43 +0000

Hi Fred, thank you for the info in this email. I will look for the additional info sent on what TO do!

If you check my website, I do have a few antiques listed: a baker occasional table, a unique sideboard, a porcelain lamp, (not sure if it is an antique) a rosewood table (looks entirely hand made) If you can give me some insight on these, I don’t mind paying for your time. I had offered the sideboard several months ago to Worthpoint to auction, but (I forgot who responded) the response is that it would not make sense to go through regular auction, that it is worth probably just $800. I would like a second opinion on that. I was not charged for an appraisal, it was a courtesy quote. I had joined worthpoint’s search service for $49 per month, but found it not at all complete, and my money was refunded. I would like to sign up again, but not until worthpoint has all its ducks in a row properly. Goantiques had a much better system, but not thorough, either. The community really needs a good service. My complaint was that I would put in an item and get a million other non-related items that were too time consuming to look through.

By: Mark Stone

Mark Stone — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:55:57 +0000

It is not a good idea to use furniture “polish” sprays or liquid like Pledge as they probably contain silicone which can cause grief during future refinishing. There are work-arounds but they can be time consuming and just add to the cost.