For stripping and varnishing, you need: Stripping - Chemical stripper, scouring pad, old aluminium baking trays or foil pie cases, old paintbrushes and wire suede shoebrush Varnishing - Matt or Satin varnish, paint kettle, clean, lint-free cloth, flat stick, abrasive paper, polyurethane varnish, white spirit and good quality paintbrush Also recommended: Wax polish

Why Restoration?

Here´s a tip. When you think about furniture, don´t just think new. Think about restoration - making used items look and last better. Restoration can save you money and produce, unique and original additions to your home. With a little flair, this project will help you make old furniture good as new. Here, we focus on repairing, stripping and varnishing a wooden chair or table.

Step-By-Step

Repairing

If your furniture is wobbly, try drilling a discreet hole in the offending joint and using a plastic syringe to inject glue into the gap. Plug the drilled hole with plasticine or putty until the glue has set

Make small triangular braces from plywood to reinforce inconspicuous loose corner joints. Glue and screw braces into place across corners

If taking joints apart and putting them back together is your only option, here´s how to do it without causing irreparable damage: Old furniture may have been assembled with scotch glue. Try swabbing the joint with meths to dissolve it. If necessary, drill a small hole and use a plastic syringe to make the joint more accessible Drill out nails or dowels in mortise and tenon joints with a twist drill Remove loose ´dry´ dowels in mortise and tenon joints by driving screws into their ends and grasping with pincers When furniture is apart, scrape off remaining glue with chisel Before using glue, make sure all components fit together and ensure all pieces are in the right places Clamps can leave a mark, so use scraps of wood or corrugated cardboard to spread the pressure while glue is drying

Stripping

Spread newspapers or dustsheets on floor Stand feet of tables or chairs in old aluminium baking trays or foil pie cases to catch drips. Chemical stripper can damage floor surfaces including linoleum, vinyl, cork and varnished board

Use a chemical stripper-it´s less likely to damage wood than abrasives or blowlamps

Apply stripper carefully with an old brush that has been left in the stripper solution for a few minutes Use scouring pad for stubborn scraps of paint or varnish Scrub off remaining soft paint or varnish with wire suede shoe brush Rinse off stripper with a small quantity of water

Finishing

Make a tack rag by dipping a clean lint-free cloth into thin mixture of polyurethane varnish and white spirits Wipe stripped item with tack rag to remove every speck of dust Stir the varnish slowly and gently with a clean, flat stick Pour varnish from tin into new paint kettle Use clean, lint-free cloth and firm hand pressure to apply first thin layer.

For further coats, use a good quality paintbrush. Load your brush and press it against the side of the kettle to remove any trapped air. Work quickly, holding brush at a shallow angle

It´s easier to get a good finish with matt or satin varnish than gloss. If you do want a gloss finish, try applying wax polish over satin varnish.