The clean, simple lines of this furniture and the lack of heavy, glossy finishes make for easy maintenance/repair. The best way to clean a piece of MCM furniture is to use a very fine “0000” steel wool, or “4 ought,” as they call it. Run the wool with the wood grain to remove wall-bumps, minor scratches and some stains.
How do you fix MCM furniture?
3:0811:37Restoring And Repairing A Mid Century Modern Style SideboardYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore fitting the new runners I needed to scrape off all of the old glue. So that the glue wouldMoreBefore fitting the new runners I needed to scrape off all of the old glue. So that the glue would adhere properly to the new runners and the sides.
How do you restore a mid century veneer?
How to refinish veneer furnitureWipe down the piece with a damp rag. ... Remove all hardware, handles, drawers, doors and legs. ... Starting with 100 grit sandpaper, sand the entire piece lightly to remove stain and finish – legs, drawers, sides and around trim. ... After the initial sanding, vacuum with a soft brush.More items...•
What finish did mid century furniture use?
Most mistakenly assume that all mid century furniture was finished with teak oil or Danish oil. That couldn't be further from the truth. About 98% of all mass-produced American furniture was finished with sprayed, toned lacquer. There are very few exceptions to this.
How do I identify my mid century furniture maker?
Hardwood and Open Grain Furniture For a quick refresher, veneer is a thin layer of hard wood that is glued to a poorer quality wood underneath. The use of hardwood is a telltale sign when it comes to mid-century modern furniture. Hardwoods are more pricey than softwoods and are used by designers who prioritize quality.
How can I tell if my furniture is laminate or veneer?
1:354:46How to tell the difference between laminate and veneer ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first and foremost the wood grain it's a pattern. So that's usually a good sign that it is aMoreSo first and foremost the wood grain it's a pattern. So that's usually a good sign that it is a laminate. But do you see how it kind of chips back here. And you can't really see the wood grain.
How do you fix MCM veneer?
5:4314:26Veneer Repair on Mid Century Modern Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you can just really get it underneath there this is the best product I've found for doing thisMoreBut you can just really get it underneath there this is the best product I've found for doing this that rock so I'm squeezing a bunch of glue on there so you all that glue seeping. Out.
How do you restore a mid century?
7:0511:27Thrift Store Rescue #8 / Mid Century Furniture Restoration - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that lighter wood has to be colored to match the walnut. And I'll do that later with some gelMoreSo that lighter wood has to be colored to match the walnut. And I'll do that later with some gel stain. But first I'm going to stain the rest of the piece. And I'll just tape off the base.
What years are considered mid century furniture?
What is midcentury design? The movement spanned from about 1933 to 1965 and included architecture as well as industrial, interior, and graphic design. Designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Harry Bertoia, Arne Jacobsen, and George Nelson created iconic furniture and lighting that are still highly coveted.
What wood is used in mid century furniture?
teakThe wood most synonymous with mid-century modern furniture is teak. Rich, dark, durable, and recognized as a sign of quality, teak paired well with the bold colors associated with the era and was often used for tables, desks, and storage. Oak was another commonly used wood and, like teak, is strong and durable.
Is Mid Century Furniture solid wood?
Mid century furniture is often crafted from solid woods, notably teak, elm, beech and rosewood.
Is Mid Century Furniture veneer?
Most mid-century Danish teak furniture which still exists today is made with veneer surfaces on plywood, secured with solid wood edges and frames. A true testament to the quality of well-made veneered furniture.
How do I know if my antique furniture is valuable?
Here's How To Find Out If Your Old furniture Is Vintage Or Financially ValuableTrace Back the Furniture's Owners. ... Determine the Age of Your Furniture. ... Consider the Rarity of Your Vintage Furniture. ... Check for Vintage Furniture Quality. ... Look for Vintage Furniture in Good Condition.More items...•
Is Mid Century furniture veneer?
Most mid-century Danish teak furniture which still exists today is made with veneer surfaces on plywood, secured with solid wood edges and frames. A true testament to the quality of well-made veneered furniture.
Can teak veneer be repaired?
A: Scrubbing with fine-gauge steel wool and then applying oil is often appropriate as a way to restore the surface on teak furniture, whether it's solid teak or laminated with just a teak veneer.
How do you refinish teak veneer?
Step 1: Removing Old Finish. Lay out the drop cloth to protect your work area and place furniture on drop cloth. ... Step 2: Sanding. Once the surface is dry, cut 150 grit sandpaper to size and wrap it around a sanding block. ... Step 3: Staining The Surface. ... Step 4: Applying a Protective Top Coat.
Can you use wood filler on veneer?
You can easily fix your furniture with damaged or chipped veneer, yes YOU can! Here's how easy repairing veneer with wood filler can be! Get more tutorials on repairing old furniture here!
Where is mid century furniture found?
Many homes in the Southern California region feature mid-century modern furniture, a distinctive style that was partially created and refined by Los Angeles Mid Century Modern Furniture Restorationartists and architects in Los Angeles. For a number of reasons, this valuable furniture may develop significant, unique problems as it ages.
What are the characteristics of mid century furniture?
In addition to materials only invented or widely used in the 20th century, mid-century modern furniture may feature glass or wood. Commonly used types of wood include teak, ...
What is Rahn's furniture restoration?
For more than 40 years, Rahn’s Furniture Restoration has served as Southern California’s home for expert restoration of mid-century modern furniture, as well as older and newer furniture styles. Throughout our decades of operation, we have continually featured the same reliable blend of encyclopedic repair and refinishing knowledge, dedicated refurbishing facilities, and exemplary customer service. When you bring your valuable pieces to us, you can rest assured that they will receive the very best care during the restoration process. You can also expect that the end products you receive will meet your high standards for excellence and value. Contact us today to arrange an assessment of your furniture restoration needs.
What type of wood is used for furniture?
Commonly used types of wood include teak, walnut, rosewood and oak. Plywood furniture from this era is typically covered in veneer (the term for thin sheets of decorative wood glued into place over a piece’s underlying structure).
What were the influences of the Mid Century Modern movement?
Another influence on the mid-century modern movement was the creation of new types of furniture-making materials, including plastic, Plexiglas, Lucite, stainless steel and plywood.
Can scratches affect furniture?
However, there are also some special considerations that affect the restoration process for this particular style of furniture. For example, scratches in mid-century modern furniture can affect a number of materials other than wood (e.g., Plexiglas and plastic). The glue originally used for the construction of this type ...
Can you repair scratches in furniture?
At Rahn’s Furniture Restoration, we repair wood scratches in mid-century modern furniture using the same techniques we rely on to repair other furniture styles. Scratches in plastic, Lucite or Plexiglas can often be removed in a similar process, which includes wet buffing with fine grits of sandpaper and the application of a polish that restores the proper shininess. In some cases, restoration may require complete replacement of the damaged synthetic material.
