The Process for Restoring an Antique Couch

Cleaning

• Separate visible signs of damage from mere dirt by giving the couch a thorough cleaning. Clean antique furniture by wiping away dirt with a gentle cleaner and soft rag. Harsh cleaners and, in some cases, abrasive fabric rags may pull off not only the dirt but also the finish, which should remain intact if possible. Use a toothbrush for cleaning highly detailed carving or hard-to-reach areas.

Appraisal

• Before fixing damage to an antique couch, make a catalog of the total damage to the couch. After thorough cleaning, perform a visible inspection of the entire piece of furniture. Compose a detailed list of all damage including breaks or cracks in the structure, rusted fixtures or screws, wobbly or uneven legs and gaps or flaws in the finish.

Structure Repair

• After you have composed the list of damage, restoring an antique couch begins with structural repair. When restoring an item, the goal is keeping the item as authentic as possible. Repairs should, whenever possible, use the same materials in a repair that were used in construction. In the case of repairing cracks and other structural damage, this often means hide glue. Hide glue is made from animal hides and was a commonly used glue in furniture before mass production. For missing parts, such as a chair leg, search for an original replacement if possible. If you cannot find a replacement part, a carpenter can sometimes fashion a replacement.

Finish

• If the antique couch has sufficiently undamaged finish after cleaning, then it needs only an occasional cleaning. If, however, large gaps are present in the finish, it will require refinishing. Strip off the original finish by using a semi-paste stripper, liquid finish stripper or very fine grit sandpaper. This will gently remove the finish without damaging the underlying structure. Once the piece is stripped, use a replacement that is close to the finish of the original and apply an even amount of the lacquer to each part.

Upholstery

• Often, upholstery on antiques is torn or unusable. If this is the case, reupholster with as near the same material as possible using the same colors and, if possible, the same patterns as the original. This will preserve the original look and feel of the piece.