How to Repair Furniture

As furniture is being used, nicks, dents, cracks and scratches are common.  Instead of throwing them away and using  up our landfill, a few simple repair tips will help restore your furniture to its original condition.

• Wobbly chair--when a chair becomes wobbly, it's usually the legs or stretchers that need repairing.  Usually the problem is that the hole legs and the stretchers become enlarged.  First, disassemble the chair by using a towel-padded hammer.  Remove all glue from all joints.  Scrape off and sand off.  Apply glue and tap the legs or stretcher into the receiving hole, then clean off all the excess glue.  Drawn joints tight by tighten it with ropes or cord.
• Removing dents--Pierce tiny holes in the dented area by using a needle.  Then dampen the dent with a few drops of water.  The wood will swell.  After it is swollen, rub lightly with rottenstone and oil.  Another way of removing dent is to put several folds of damp cloth over the surface then apply a hot iron to the cloth for several minutes.  The steam will swell up the wood fibers and return them to the original states.
• Filling cracks--Use a wood putty and fill crack with a putty knife or a small thin-blade knife.  Remove any excess with a rage or fine sand paper.
• Deep scratches-Touch up the area with a stain that matches the rest of the piece.  Use a small brush to fill up the crack with layers of shellac then smooth the surface with extra fine sandpaper and rub with rottenstone and oil.

If do-it-for-me is your thing, try www.furnituremedic.com.   This is a nationwide network of furniture repair shops.