The condition of the furniture deteriorates over time. Regardless of operating conditions, the finishing coating loses its strength, becomes covered with a network of small cracks, and becomes dull or cloudy.
Scratches and abrasions appear, which spoil the appearance of the furniture and make it unsuitable for use in the interior of residential or public premises. However, in most cases the condition of the surfaces can be restored, and sometimes it is possible to make the furniture more attractive than it was before.
What is polishing
Polishing is a process of finely treating a surface, giving it shine. As a rule, the varnish layer is polished, but the procedure can also be performed on the paint or the material itself. The processing technique is close to grinding, but the fineness of the abrasive in this case is an order of magnitude higher.
There are different degrees of surface gloss. There are glossy finishes that are highly shiny and reflective to surrounding objects. Furniture finished in this way looks elegant, bright, and glares when exposed to light.
Matte surfaces do not reflect light, their shine is very soft. As a rule, matte types of varnish are used for modern furniture, but ancient samples were coated with a special composition (classic shellac), or the wood was simply impregnated with oil, followed by processing with cloth swabs.
Expert opinion
Kokovin Dmitry Vasilievich
Furniture restorer
There are different polishing techniques. The basic method is to apply a special polishing paste to the prepared surface and process it using a polishing wheel made of foam rubber, felt, felt and other materials.
What materials can be polished?
As a rule, furniture coating is a varnish layer of one composition or another. In Soviet times, the main type of coating was polyester varnish. It was applied in a thick layer (0.5-0.8 mm), ground and polished on special production lines.
Modern furniture has a varnish coating made on the basis of the same polyester. Or other materials. there are many of them, but the general properties are approximately the same.
The most common coatings are:
- polyester;
- polyurethane;
- nitrocellulose;
- impregnation with oil of natural or synthetic origin.
Almost all varieties can be polished. The softer the varnish, the easier it is to polish, but its abrasion resistance is much lower.
Paints and varnishes that are sold in retail chains are of little use for creating high-quality furniture coatings. They do not meet standards for hardness and load resistance. For restoring furniture coverings, they are suitable only in certain cases and require proper use.
Industrial polishes - are they worth buying?
Industrial polishes contain special substances that fill microcracks in the furniture surface, as a result of which the structure of the material becomes even and smooth - polished.
Today, store shelves are filled with a variety of products from different manufacturers. They, to one degree or another, make care easier, but how safe and effective they are is always up to the consumer to evaluate after purchase. This is a matter of personal choice.
You can find furniture wax on the shelves of hardware stores. This substance has been used to coat furniture for centuries. And today it ranks first in wood processing and care.
What are the advantages of using wax:
- furniture can withstand long-term loads;
- wood does not lose its texture, retaining natural warmth;
- the velvety properties of the material are preserved;
- after coating, the color of the product becomes more expressive;
- the ability to choose any tone during restoration;
- The thick consistency fits well on the surface of the wood, filling all cracks and scratches.
- furniture wax should be applied to clean, open-pore furniture (so that there are no paint coatings);
- a labor-intensive process when the surface is varnished (needs to be thoroughly cleaned).
This is the option when you can trust the manufacturer, because more than one housewife has already noted the effectiveness of this brand’s products for various purposes.
An excellent Amway polish, which has established itself as an ideal assistant for the care of wooden and lacquered furniture.
- creamy structure - does not flow, does not drip;
- fresh lemon aroma - non-toxic;
- convenient aerosol can;
- easy to use.
Methods for polishing furniture at home
Despite its apparent complexity, polishing is not a high-tech process and is quite accessible to do it yourself. Its only drawback is that it is labor intensive; the work requires care, time and effort.
Felt
Felt
The main method of polishing a new coating is to apply a polishing compound and treat the surface with felt or felt material. To obtain a mirror shine, you have to use special devices - attachments for an electric drill or grinding machines, otherwise the procedure will take too long.
Polishing technology has been known to people for a very long time. It has been improved, supplemented, and improved over thousands of years. Today, at home, you can use different techniques, which are chosen depending on the initial condition and type of coating.
Classic polishing
Ancient polishing methods differ markedly from modern ones. In practice, this is a separate technology that is rarely used today. Simultaneous application and polishing of a varnish composition or polish is carried out. This is shellac tree resin dissolved in ethyl alcohol.
The polishing process is carried out using a swab. Take a piece of clean linen cloth the size of a handkerchief. A lump of cotton wool the size of a large plum is placed inside. A little polish is poured into it, wrapped in a cloth and the surface begins to be processed in a circular motion.
The composition impregnates the tampon and fabric and is applied in small quantities to the surface. It dries immediately on it, so you need to act quickly, without stopping. If the swab is stopped in one place, the polish will dissolve the already created layer and ruin the entire work.
Expert opinion
Kokovin Dmitry Vasilievich
Furniture restorer
Classic polishing is a complex procedure that requires experience and skill. In addition, it is very difficult to get natural shellac today, so this technique is rarely used. Basically, it is used by master restorers to restore antique furniture.
Traditional methods
Folk polishing methods are quite simple, but quite effective. As a rule, they involve treating the surface with soft materials using a fine abrasive, for example:
Dentifrice
Toothpaste
Chalk
Talc
To reduce heat due to friction, oil (sunflower, linseed or synthetic) is used. It is applied to the surface or to a polishing block, which eliminates the risk of overheating and damage to the varnish layer. To simplify the process, make a mixture of abrasive (chalk, tooth powder) and oil filler (linseed, sunflower oil).
For fittings, metal parts or hard components, only abrasive can be used, without filler. It is poured onto a felt or felt block and the surface is rubbed until shiny.
Polishing pastes or compounds
In furniture production, special compounds are used to polish the surface to a mirror finish. They are rarely found on the open market, as they are supplied in large packages. It is not advisable to purchase them for household use.
However, there are effective and high-quality pastes for polishing car coatings. They are sold in small containers (1 kg, 800 g, etc.), and to treat a small area you can buy a very small amount of material.
One such composition is 3M paste, which is available in several forms:
- No. 1. Used for rough (primary) processing of surfaces after grinding. Removes small marks and abrasive marks;
- No. 2. Brings the surface to a mirror state;
- No. 3. Brings the coating to its final state and gives the surface a durable protective layer.
In addition to the basic compositions, there are intermediate ones - numbers 1.5 and 2.5. These compositions simultaneously possess the properties of lower and higher materials.
There are other polishing compounds on the market. There are hard pastes (such as GOI) that are used for polishing hard surfaces. However, most materials are made in the form of thick pastes (the consistency of sour cream or toothpaste), which are more convenient to apply and work with. They all have approximately similar qualities and allow you to effectively and quickly bring the surface to ideal condition.
Popular brands
The most common brands of this skincare product include:
- "Chirton" is a wax polish for wooden furniture. It takes excellent care of it, allows you to mask abrasions, and improves the structure of surfaces. Available in spray form.
- "Pronto" - perfectly removes stains, restores the original appearance, and gives a natural shine. Ideal for lacquered furniture. Contains silicone, antistatic. Thanks to the latter, it does not allow dust to settle on the surface. Suitable for products made of plastic and granite.
- “5” is a domestic polish with an antistatic agent and a color restoration effect. Does not leave streaks, quickly removes fingerprints, masks roughness on furniture, and adds shine. Reliably protects from dust after treatment. It has a pleasant aroma.
- "Mebelux" - produced in the form of a spray, applied quickly, cleans perfectly, does not leave streaks. Contains wax and antistatic agent. Extends the life of wooden surfaces, refreshes even old furniture.
- “Cinderella” is a budget version of the polish. Available in the form of a suspension that is quickly absorbed and fills scratches. Intended for caring for furniture and interior doors, adding shine and removing dirt.
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In the assortment of each brand you can find products for various purposes. Some brands produce special hypoallergenic formulations.
Chirton
The difference between polishes is not only in cost: the main thing is the composition and consistency of the products. You can consult with relatives and colleagues and find out what type of polish they recommend. Useful information about popular furniture care products will help you evaluate the benefits of each item.
Cinderella
Russian-made polish is suitable for caring for various types of furniture. The composition is used for processing not only wooden coatings, but also marble, plastic, ceramics, enamel, and other types of base materials.
Luxury
The spray is produced by a German company. Excellent effect when caring for painted, polished and unpainted furniture. No pungent odor, no streaks after treatment. Luxus spray quickly removes fingerprints, insects, dust, and minor dirt. The composition contains antistatic and water-repellent components. The spray is suitable for different types and shades of wood.
Anti-dust
A popular remedy from Russian manufacturers. Good dust-repellent effect, reasonable cost, maximum comfort during use. Regular use of antistatic agents allows you to maintain order without hassle. In addition to repelling dust, the composition gives wood and other surfaces a pleasant shine.
Pronto
The most famous type of household chemicals for caring for wooden surfaces. offers housewives several lines of polishes with different effects. The mixture of waxes ensures the elimination of minor scratches, removal of dust, a pleasant shine, and the furniture looks almost like new.
Chirton
A pleasant aroma, a high-quality mixture of waxes, an excellent antistatic effect, removal of various types of contaminants and dust, creation of the thinnest water-repellent layer - these are the advantages of Chirton brand compositions. Regular use allows you to preserve the structure of the material even with a significant period of use of the furniture.
Useful tips
Polishing is a largely creative process. However, it is better to act according to proven methods and not violate technology.
How do you polish?
ClassicFolk
It is recommended to follow some tips:
- During operation, do not apply too much force or put pressure on the machine. This may cause the coating to overheat;
- If marks or scratches are clearly visible, you should not start polishing. It is necessary to carefully prepare the surface. sometimes this is neglected, hoping that the flaws will disappear during processing. However, they will remain and will be clearly visible;
- Matte finishes do not polish. Sometimes they become covered with shiny areas, which are restored using scratch paper.
By following these simple tips, you can get high-quality coverage and avoid annoying mistakes.
Furniture polishing is a procedure that allows you to restore old products and correct errors made during operation or transportation. The polishing technology is simple, but high quality can only be achieved with skills and experience. Otherwise, the flaws in the coating will only be exacerbated. If you don’t have confidence in your abilities, it’s better to entrust the work to specialists.
How to clean polished furniture
On the household chemicals market you can find various products that allow you to clean polished furniture. But not all of them are so good. Therefore, using the simple laws of chemistry, so-called home remedies have been invented, on which pennies are spent, which can easily rid furniture of dirt of varying complexity:
- Beer.
- A special solution of antistatic agent and shampoo.
- Olive oil and wine vinegar.
- Burr oil.
- Tea brewing.
The imagination of an ordinary person can easily imagine these remedies, so many readers will be horrified, because these recipes can leave even more stains on the furniture and cause damage to the surface. In fact, this is far from the case. With these products, any contaminants are quickly removed. Let us analyze in detail the effect of each product on the polish.
In detail, this is a recipe based on regular beer with the addition of a piece of wax. Any beer made with malt from the nearest store will do for this. You can use regular white candles for decoration as wax, after removing the wick.
Boil the beer together with the wax so that the wax is completely dissolved and the alcohol, which is dangerous for the polished coating, is removed from the beer. Now that the solution is ready, you can polish the furniture with it. Dissolved wax will add shine to the polish and strengthen the coating, and malt particles will remove the maximum number of contaminants.
Special solution
The base for the solution is water, shampoo and an antistatic agent. This is a budget option for modern polishing products, which are presented in household stores.
This solution is absolutely safe for the surface itself. This product can easily get rid of not only dust, but also grease stains. Mix water, antistatic agent and any shampoo in a 1:1:1 ratio in any container convenient for you.
The combination of these two food components is useful not only in the kitchen, but also when polishing furniture. Wine vinegar, like any acetic acid-based substance, is an excellent cleaner and disinfectant that is safe for polishing. Olive oil adds extra shine to the polish. Dilute this solution in a 1:1 ratio, but polish the furniture with rubber gloves to avoid possible burns from vinegar.
Burr oil
Burdock oil is an easy way to get rid of dust and small dirt on polished furniture. Apply a thin layer of this oil to the stained area and wipe off with a soft cloth after a few minutes. Burdock oil absorbs dirt, while leaving the polish completely intact.
