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When deciding whether to reupholster, repair, or replace old furniture, consider its age, level of wear and tear, and overall value. It’s usually better to repair old furniture because older pieces tend to be made out of hardwood, like oak and maple, whereas newer furniture is more often made out of plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and other less durable materials. When determining whether it’s worth the price to repair a furniture item, calculate the price of buying a new, similar piece and compare that to quotes from local furniture repair services.

It can take as little as 30 to 60 minutes for wood filler to dry, but some products take up to four hours. Always read labels to ensure you're following the manufacturer’s instructions. Water-based wood fillers typically take longer to dry than oil-based or epoxy-wood fillers, especially when applied to large areas or deep cracks. Wood putty won’t dry completely, remaining slightly pliable.

Minor water damage on wood tables can be reversed fairly easily. You can remove stains and light surface damage with a sandblock, then repaint and re-varnish the wood surface. For swollen and rotten wood, you can cut away the damaged parts and use a wood filler as long as the affected area isn’t too much.

Chalk paint can be applied without sanding first. Keep in mind that while there are a lot of chalk paint color options available, there aren’t as many choices as latex or oil-based paint.

You can also learn how to paint furniture without sanding using a liquid deglosser, sometimes referred to as liquid sandpaper. This can remove any old paint, gloss, or varnish, without the need to manually sand. Apply the deglosser using a cloth, then wait for the chemical to penetrate through the surface. Once it soaks through, you should be able to wipe away the residue with a towel.