antique2There are a lot of people who simply cannot do away with some family heirloom in one way or another, a cabinet that belonged to your grandparents or some other antique. It may seem straightforward but these precious pieces have more of a sentimental value than practical use but with some creative thinking it can serve the same purpose. The best way to give tribute to a piece with such character is to use it and use it well, the only problem is that these pieces way not be able to handle the regular wear and tear we may place upon them so additional protection should be applied in the form of a re-finish with modern protective coatings that can have the same feel and look of the original finish yet is more robust to use.
Older tyes of natural varnish are more often than not subject to degradation leaving it gunky and sticky. It is not only ugly to the eyes and to touch but it can also let moisture in, too much of which is bad for any old furniture. Check the air for proper humidity levels and install humidifiers/dehumidifiers as needed. Get the piece stripped down to bare wood and seal as needed, then re-finish with coatings that are tougher. Need a non-gloss look, there are polyurethane and lacquer products that have such effects. You might even want a glass or polycarbonate cover so the finish doesn’t get scratches (counter if it’s a table) but only after the finish has dried fully or you risk getting it stuck onto the surface. Don’t know how? Get an expert to do it for you, you may also find that the piece is older than you think!