Perhaps a rejuvenating coat of varnish will bring it back to its original luster.
Best finish for antique oak furniture.
Spraying the finish over the glaze is best since this will minimize any removal of the glaze.
This is a classic oak finish familiar to any antique lover.
There are few structural issues you can t repair and few cosmetic ones you can t address with wood filler stain and a fresh coat of finish.
If cleaning an unpainted piece hand cleaner containing pumice used with a toothbrush to get into crevices works well.
Determine if washing or stripping the finish is best.
Like fine wine oak becomes more nuanced and attractive with age and restoring an old piece of oak furniture is almost always preferable to throwing it away.
Seal with shellac and scuff sand when dry.
The glaze layer darkens the open pored earlywood and contrasts beautifully with the brownish gold latewood.
Buff the wax as soon as it hazes over to leave a soft sheen.
Step six waxing.
Deciding when to refinish antique furniture.
Apply a paste wax to the furniture after the final coat is dry.
Decide whether the old finish should come off or if a thorough cleaning will do.
Use a dark wax on the dark finishes and apply with 0000 steel wool.
For the other finishes that have a hard surface a little lemon oil preferably with beeswax will brighten and deepen the color.
As far as maintenance is concerned wax finishes are best polished with a dry cloth or a little additional wax.
This finish looks best on red oak.
Finishes on antique wood furniture.
Glue and clamps for repairing and reinforcing furniture.