Get matched with top furniture refinishers in Girard, IL

Sometimes you will need a stronger cleaning solution to thoroughly clean furniture before painting. It’s best to start with a mild solution to avoid damaging the surface, especially if it is an antique piece. If you need to use a stronger mixture, try a commercial cleaner or mineral spirits. Before applying any solution, do a test patch on an inconspicuous area so you don’t risk damaging the finish.

For small, simple pieces that aren’t antiques, a professional furniture refinisher can usually refinish a piece in two to three hours, while larger pieces—like bed frames and full dining sets—could take several days. Your refinishing professional should be able to give you an estimated timeline for the work before getting started so that you can plan to be without your furniture during the process. Antique furniture might require additional time and take a week or more to refinish, as they require special care to avoid damage.

It is possible to refinish a table without stripping and sanding it by repairing small dents. You’ll use a gel stain, and then put on a wipe-on finish. The downside is this won't result in as smooth and as deep of a finish as if you had stripped the table. Also, any blemishes on your table will remain.

In most cases, it is more affordable to reupholster furniture than it is to replace it, but it depends on the quality and age of the furniture you’re considering getting reupholstered. Antique pieces are always worth reupholstering, as it’s the only way to preserve the piece and extend its life. Newer pieces of furniture are more often made using lower-quality materials like medium-density fiberboard or plywood that don’t have the same lifespan as things like hardwood. For newer pieces, your furniture reupholstery specialist should be able to help you determine the best course of action.