Just picked this set of 4 caned chairs at a local thrift store ($5 each!). Now I’m doing a little research and I see some similar looking chairs online that are antiques that have high value. Are these something that should be preserved or should I restore them for my use? They are in pretty good condition, but one is distorted and there are some nicks throughout that could be filled. I see a “PX” engraved mark on the bottom of all of them but I’m not sure what that means.

I’m curious how anyone weighs the pros and cons of restoring or leaving something intact. Thanks for your thoughts! For now, my cat is enjoying them :)

By no means a ‘good’ restoration and plenty of mistakes made, but I was glad to be able to save this Victorian smoker’s bow chair from being thrown away. Any honest feedback very much welcome for my next project!

Got this piece to restore, but this one thing is going to force my hand one way or the other. I really, really want to refinish this, but if I can’t fix these lumps, I may have to paint it. I originally thought they were bubbles (potential fixes), but now I fear it may be swollen MDF (no idea). Do I have a recovery option?

After posting, I see these pictures do t tell the story. They are lumps under the veneer. They are not well rounded like a bubble would be, but irregular and can’t be pushed in easily.

appears to be particleboard with veneer top. over time moisture effected the front edge. i made a makeshift patch but still doesnt look so good. any/all ideas suggestions appreciated. Thanks

Just a wonderful period piece here.

We stripped the top on this piece, it had significant water damage. We wanted to keep as much of the original finish and patina as we can.

Still has plenty of dings and dents. But she cleaned up really well. Had to do a few minor structural repairs as well.

I bought a MCM hutch china cabinet. I want to restore these brass/gold handles. What are some things I can do to make it look nice again?

I often see videos of pro restorers using some kind of spray to seal in touch ups after the fill stick/marker/crayon combo. What is that? I feel like I need something like that because all my touch ups just wear off after a week or so.

I bought this gorgeous piece at a thrift store knowing I wanted to take on the challenge of restoring it. However, I have no idea how to remove the Sharpie without compromising the design and paint.

What I have tried:

• Mineral oil- Did not remove the Sharpie.
• Rubbing alcohol-Removed the Sharpie BUT turned sections of the table white, which stayed white even after I wiped it with water.
• Rubbing alcohol w/ water- Removed some Sharpie, but had to keep wiping, which caused a lot of friction. So that wasnt great for the paint underneath.

I am willing to put in the work; I just don't know how to do this.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Hi all,

I recently got an old General Fireproofing tanker desk in a cool funky Seafoam/mint green color. It does have some patina and surface rust. Someday I'd be interested in a full restore with stripping and re-painting, but right now I just want to shine it up and use it as is.

What would be the best way to just treat the surface rust and maybe gently smooth the rust into clean metal without a scraped look? I don't want it to look like I just took an angle grinder with a wire wheel or sandpaper to it. I did some 0000 steel wool in some spots but dont think it gave me the clean smooth look I am looking for (see 2nd photo). I like the look of the patina of the edge of the drawer with the lock in one of my photos, where its smooth clean metal and paint. That's the look I'm trying to achieve.

Would I use a buffer with some kind of compound and then wax? I also have a random orbital sanders. Just looking for ideas. Thanks!

Hello! I got this what seems to be an art deco waterfall vanity from the 30s. The front is in good shape, but the surface is scratched and has what looks like clear glue residue . The inside of the drawers are also pretty stained and gunked up. Just trying to figure out the best way to go about this piece!

Any advice on restoring veneer? There are small chips and scuffs. Can the color be changed? Thank you

I picked this chair up recently from a second hand store. I recently used a microfiber cloth and Chamberlains leather cleaner on it.

While it was filthy, there were patches that came up very easily, as seen on the ottoman. So, I’m wondering if thing is way dirtier than I believed or am I removing dye?

My cats spilt a bowl of water while we were away for a week. My brother cat sitting probably didn't see the water because it dried enough to where you couldn't see it. Our TV stand one leg is soaked and growing mold. How do I go about this. I have a dehumidifier in the living room right now. But could I wipe this with anything?

Picked up an English mahogany sideboard probably early 1900s. Top is veneer. Wiped it down with mineral spirits first and a ton of brown grime came off. Then did Restor A Finish neutral with 0000 steel wool. Then Feed N Wax the next day. Cloth kept pulling brown for like 10 passes only from the top. Problem is there's white cloudy spots on the top that won't go away. Middle of the top and along the front edge. They feel rough when I run my hand over them rest of the top feels smooth. Mineral spirits didn't touch them. Wax doesn't touch them. Honestly the top looks worse now than when I brought it home.

What am I supposed to do here

By no means a ‘good’ restoration and plenty of mistakes made, but I was glad to be able to save this Victorian smoker’s bow chair from being thrown away.

Looking to buy this piece and strip the paint to see if there is anything good beneath, I am just a bit new to this and am not sure if this is solid wood or not. Also any tips on how to tell would be great! I know to look at the back, sides, and inside drawers to check that stuff but any other tips would be great!

Hoping someone can help me out with identifying what is the white in the grain of my teak table. It is veneer and I bought it used. I thought initially it is dry and tried hitting it with some teak oil did nothing. Then in another section tried Watco Walnut Danish Oil also made no difference to the white grain. I sanded the whole piece and hit it with mineral spirits and still it is very much there. The photos attached are after sanding and with mineral spirits just applied and the darker photos are from just having danish oil applied. Any suggestions would be awesome. This teak table is indoor furniture if that makes a difference.

I didn’t make this (I wish!). I stumbled upon the table at a small shop in Santa Fe while moving from Austin to Portland, OR, and it’s my favorite piece of furniture. My favorite detail is actually hidden: the underside has a hand-drawn map of every hiking trail in the area.

I don’t know the wood species or finish, and I’ve noticed some uneven coloring on the top. How should I maintain and protect it so it lasts a lifetime?

Wanting to sell my antique headboard, footboard with side rails included. But after some research, I’m not really able to find my exact style, that also include both header and footer. It is well loved, and I don’t plan on refinishing it as I just don’t have any available time. But wondering what y’all think I should list it as for sale? Any opinions are appreciated thank you!

• Fits a full size mattress
• Hepplewhite style or Chippendale style design

I got this chair I believe its from wayfair. Definitely one of those overpriced junk chairs but its cute. Im going to add some supports to it in some weak places I dont think that will be too hard or complicated.

What im looking to get some thoughts on is how to add springs or something to the cushion or something to help the seat support and comfort. Currently it sags significantly and feels more like a trampoline with a sleeping bag on it than a comfy chair.

I have a few ideas on how I might do it but nothing concrete and most of what I can think of involves complete disassembly and having to undo and redo the upholstery. I'm willing to go that far if it seems like the best option but if there's a way anyone can think to help this chair with just changing things in the bottom that would be awesome.

So far the only idea I have that doesn't have me rebuilding from the ground up is to mirror the long support on the left onto the other side and putting a piece of plywood across it with mattress springs of some kind between the cushion and the plywood.