To Refinish or Restore? That is the “Question of the Week”
This week’s question comes from Kyle who writes:
Lately I’ve been working on refinishing an old dresser. It’s been in my family for a long time and has been abused pretty badly. But since it was a family heirloom, it was like pulling teeth to convince my mom to let me restore it. I’ve seen your episodes on refinishing and I know about your experience in the field. I was just wondering if you could tell me what kind of things ruin the value of a piece and why you think there are so many refinishing “haters” out there. If a piece is in bad shape is it still more valuable than if an ambitious woodworker like myself made it look good again?
And this was my response:
Hey Kyle. From what I have seen, there are definitely two types of refinishing out there. You have the utilitarian version, which I am familiar with, which simply takes an old beat up piece of furniture and makes it serviceable and beautiful. This includes doing any necessary repairs, stripping off the old finish, possibly re-staining, and of course, applying a new finish of choice. The second type of refinishing is actually true “restoration”. This is a much more involved process that requires careful attention to detail and a boat-load of know-how. While I can’t tell you exactly how to maintain the value of an antique, I am sure it has a lot to do with keeping the original finish intact and doing spot repairs with period-accurate materials. Anyone in that industry could probably recite a long list of do’s and dont’s.
So at a point like this, you have a few questions to ask yourself (and your mother). Is this piece ever going to be sold? Is it highly valued by your mom simply because its “valuable” or is it an emotional attachment by virtue of its service in your family for so long? Also, it might be nice to know if the piece even has substantial value as an antique. Perhaps you should have it appraised before making a final call. You see Kyle, you could refinish that piece and make it look better than it did on the day it was created, but as a result you may very well (and most likely will) destroy its value as an antique.
As an aside, I will tell you that out of all of my videos (over 60 now), the one that I receive the most complaints and corrections about is the refinishing series. I suppose its my fault for not explicitly stating that this was not meant to be “Antique Restoration 101″. I had explicit instructions from the owners of that table and I did exactly what they wanted. An old decrepit table was pulled out of the back of a garage and was restored for sentimental value. The table would never be sold or even appraised. The customer simply wanted the table to match the color scheme of her current decor so that she could enjoy the same table her mother had enjoyed for so many years before her. Monetary value was irrelevant.
So really, this is a personal decision for you and your family. But to answer your question directly, even a beautiful refinishing job can completely destroy the value of an antique. Hope that helps.
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Those were some good observations Marc. I know what you mean when you describe getting complaints and corrections over the subject. People are always confusing a refinish job with historical restoration. Any refinishing or repair is restoration, but historical restoration is the tricky area you were describing. Good answer.
A couple of things for Kyle to consider:
1.)The age of the piece: If it’s from a period before 1840, then you better have it appraised.
2.) The origins of the piece: Are there distinct marks or labels that let you know what company made it and from where? This can also determine a value.
Here’s an article that goes into greater detail what should be considered when restoring an heirloom.
http://www.adamkingstudio.com/to-strip-or-not-to-strip
Hope this helps!
I find it interesting that the industry of refinishing old furniture was pretty much destroyed by Antiques Roadshow. I gotta admit, after I’d seen more than five ocassions of a rare, valuable item reduced to near nothing by a refinishing job, my attitude also changed. You gotta admit, those well-dressed twin dudes know what they’re talking about when it comes to appraising furniture.
Yet, I agree if you want a piece of furniture purely for personal form and function, go with what you like. Maintaining a deep, red shellac finish may be good for value, but it will likely look downright lame in most homes.
Then again, I always cringe when I see people taking a spray can to very nice wood furniture on the Krylon commercials…
Geez Marc, over 60 videos? You’re makin’ me feel old. I remember “This Jointer’s Jumpin’” like it was yesterday. (Cue the Wayne’s World cut-to-the-past music)
When I first found your site, I knew you were going to be very successful, and this is still just the beginning. You and Nicole have accomplished an incredible feat with this “show”. KUDOS, my man!!!
Kyle, I vote check out the value. Sell it if it’s worth a bunch. Make it look brand new if not. I hate the years of grime they say is patina.
Somebody should’ve been dustin’ those old “antiques”.
My family as a kid bought lots of ‘antiques’ in Nebraska and Kansas. Mom (with slave labor) sanded and refinished them without regard to value. All of the pieces were late 1880 to 1900 pieces that were abused and stunk so bad you could never have them in your home. They were cheap, and for a starting out family, they were affordable and interesting. I enjoy using them every day, and they meet my needs still 50 years later. No value wasted, an old item recycled, and new life is found. If the table is not worth much, refinish it and enjoy it for years to come.
I think when it comes to antique that if the finish is intact and all there just a good cleaning is all that is needed. But if it is mostly missing or veneer needs fixed or replaced go ahead and strip it . I’m sure if it is a family herloom value has no meaning you just what it to look nice and to have for generations to come.I have some myself and have never had to do anything as it has been taking care of very well.I do this as a side line business but not a true professional at it.I always do what the customer asks but try to save finishes if I can.
Once again perfect timing for one of my many pending projects. I recently was lucky enough to have my great-grandmother’s trunk come into my possession. According to family folklore it dates back to the early 1880′s. It is in relatively good condition. The leather handles are missing and there is some decay on the bottom. The interior is in sad shape.
I had been debating What I should do to help bring it back to life. After reading this post, I’m inclined to make it as usable as possible by adding an aromatic cedar lining, new leather handles and repairing the bottom.
I agree with Vic, it seems like yesterday when I first found the site. It’s been fun watching your transformation.
I don’t know what the value of chest is but anyone who watches The Antique Road Show knows not to refinish a piece of furniture if it is an antique or if you think it is. One individual refinished an antique Connecticut high boy. You couldn’t see what the wood was underneath. After he removed all of the finish tiger maple was underneath and it was beautiful. The value was appraised at $15,000. Not bad. However, they told him that had he not refinished, it would be worth $150.000.