If you are one of those people that gets up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning to see what beautiful antique treasures you can find at the local garage sales, you are probably an appreciator of well-crafted furniture with history. Antique furniture can be both beautiful and historic, but to own a piece of antique furniture requires specialized care. You must be familiar with the right methods of maintaining the value of your antique.
One tip on caring for your antique furniture that professional appraisers often advise is leaving the finish alone. If you are interested in keeping your antique piece in its most valued condition, leave the original patina on the piece. It is as important as the piece itself. Trying to strip, sand, and stain to restore the finish may make the piece look updated but can drastically effect the value of the piece.
If you wish to polish your piece of antique furniture, do not use wood oil on the furniture. These oils leave behind an oily residue that can damage the original patina. The best method is to use a furniture paste wax. Apply the wax with a soft cloth like a cheese cloth or microfiber cloth. The wax will protect the furniture from moisture and dust but is not permanent. A thin layer of wax should be applied annually. Another mistake is to polish any metal hardware on the piece. This can damage the wood and the value of the piece. Leave hardware with its original patina.