Furniture Refinishing Books

The Easiest Way to Restore Scratches on Old Chairs?

I know there are books, video and long articles on refinishing furniture.
What I’d like is a relatively fast, easy way to diminish scratches on 3 old captain’s chairs (true wood) I have.

I’ll tell you how to get rid of the scratches but it will only work if the scratches are small and thin:

Find a wood stain that matches the current stain on the chairs, or at least as close to the original as possible. Using a clean, lint-free rag, dip it into the stain and rub it over the area with the scratches. Don’t saturate the rag, just make it moist. You want to transfer the stain but not to the point where there is running stain, etc. Rub it over the scratches until the scratch disappears. Now, rub over the area you just applied the stain to as though you are buffing out wax. You ca even use a clean rag but try not to wipe the rag parallel to the direction of the scratch because it may wipe out the color. If i does, just re-apply. The idea is to get the area around the scratches free of any residual stain. The stain in the scratches will stay because you’re rubbing the area above the small crevices. Give it a try and you’ll quickly see what I’m talking about. That’s it. If you’ve done it right, you won’t need to seal, add varnish or anything. If you do, then again, the scratches or damage is too large to use this technique.

If you have any other questions, email me

good luck

BOOK “The Furniture Doctor” REPAIR REFINISHING ANTIQUES $5.95

Six Step-by-Step Video Home Improvement Set: Interior Paint and Wallpaper, Furniture Refinishing, Framing, Roofing, Underground Sprinklers, Children’s Playsets [Project Guide Included With Each Video] $175.00 Six video set and project guides: 1) Interior Paint and Wallpaper: Complete instructions for finishing walls from painting to hanging of wall coverings and special section on stenciling. 2) Furniture Refinishing: Complete instructions for stripping and refinishing furniture to achieve a smooth even finish and techniques for stripping flat and intricate surfaces. 3) Framing: Basic framing technique…

The House That Faux Built $22.91 The House that Faux Built is a unique project-turned-book with a dual purpose: To raise money for the New Orleans Habitat House that Faux Built in support of Katrina Victims To showcase the very latest in painting and plaster home makeover techniques. The Artist s Version of We are the World –More than 100 top artists from across the U.S. and Europe volunteered to help. Together they tran…

Weekend Refinisher $15.95 Bruce Johnson, author of the COUNTRY LIVING Column, “Antiques Across America,” draws on ten years of professional refinishing experience to show you all the shortcuts and tricks of the trade. All you need are a few common hand tools and household supplies. Packed with charts, tables, step-by-step instructions, and easy-to-follow illustrations, inside you’ll find the confidence you need to tackle a…

Furniture Repair & Refinishing (Ultimate Guide) $19.95 From structural repairs to restoring older finishes or entirely refinishing furniture, a step-by-step approach to furniture repair and restoration, presented by an expert in the field. Over 430 color photos and 60 color illustrations….

Wait! Before You Start: Basement Refinishing Tips

Coming up with basement finishing ideas is the first step to making the most of the space in your home. Regardless of whether you are thinking about finishing your basement yourself or you want to hire a professional, you have to figure out how you want to use the space before you can begin. There are a number of aspects you need to consider when you are coming up with basement finishing ideas. Not only do you have to figure out how you are going to use the space and what rooms will make the best edition to your home, you also have to determine how you want the area decorated.

When working on your basement you need to check to see that there aren’t any moisture problems. Sealing the walls and floor so that you have no seepage before you put up your walls is important, if this step is left out you will not only have more work to fix the problems, but you will also have to spend a lot of money replacing the materials that were ruined as well as starting the project over.

One useful basement finishing idea is to use the space as a workspace or office. Basement offices are great for starting your own business or keeping up with your work at home. A basement library is also a great idea for a finished basement. If there is space that you can set up book shelves, add good lighting, and keep cozy and quiet you have a perfect home library. Families with kids can use a library for a study area before important tests.

Basements are also an ideal area for an entertainment room. When you are coming up with finishing a basement you need to consider the costs. If you want to make an entertainment area you not only have to factor in the expense of building materials and the construction crew (if you hire professionals) but also the cost of the furniture for the entertainment room. It is not much fun to have a big empty room. Keeping your ideas within your budget is vital.

When finishing the basement you will want to think about the floor coverings. Carpeting is a good way to cover the floor and keep the room looking nice while adding warmth and personality. If you choose to carpet the area you may want to double pad the carpet. Unlike the other levels in your home, the basement is on a concrete base. If you don’t install additional padding then standing on the basement floor for extended periods of time can cause back and leg pain.

While you are coming up with your basement finishing ideas there are several things to think about. Keeping in mind what your budget is and what you want to use the space for will help you to be able to achieve your goals. After you have decided on the basement finishing ideas that you want to use you can then start with your basement remodeling plans.