How to make polish at home: seven ways

Thorough polishing of furniture at home

It's sad, but very often homemade wood polish does not remove very deep cracks on tables. The reason is that this damage can penetrate all the way to the base of the tree or veneer. In addition, over time, lacquered furniture acquires a yellowish tint or becomes dull. In such cases, experts advise carrying out real restoration of products, which includes sanding, priming and final polishing of furniture at home. Having considered each stage in order, the master will be able to determine whether he can do the procedure himself or whether he will have to use the services of professionals.

Grinding work

The cabinet or trellis is disassembled and all fasteners are removed from it, because the polish must be applied only in a horizontal position. Therefore, it will not be difficult for craftsmen to understand how to polish a table. Next, they seal all deep cracks with a special putty. For grinding, an angle grinder and several types of sandpaper are used.

The process of removing the top layer occurs in several stages:

large irregularities are removed with sandpaper marked 80;
then they use abrasives with a grain of 120, 180, and also 240;
Final sanding is carried out with 320 grit sandpaper.

The result should be a very smooth surface. Throughout the entire process, it is necessary to check the quality of processing, otherwise you can overdo it and remove more coatings than necessary.

Primer and re-sanding

At this stage, the wood has many open pores and fibers. To ensure that the varnish lays on it in an even layer, the surface is primed. Veneer items are coated with nitro varnish or polyurethane varnish, diluted by 15-20%.

There is a more professional way of priming:

a tampon is made from soft fabric (white so that the furniture does not stain);
moisten it with epoxy glue;
after drying, remove the remaining dust with 320-grit sandpaper, moistening it with water;
when the surface is dry, it is painted with varnish.

Each subsequent layer (there can be 2-3) of varnish is applied after 6-8 hours. Acrylic compounds are diluted with white spirit. At the same time, they are carefully rubbed into the wood so that there are no streaks or other formations.

Finally, finishing grinding is carried out, starting with abrasives with grits of 400 and 600, and ending with 1000-1200. Both the object and the skin must be moistened with water.

Polishing is the final stage of restoration

To do this, select a suitable paste, which can be either furniture or automotive. It should contain Teflon, which smoothes out all minor irregularities. To apply the mass, use a furniture polishing machine operating at a speed of 1200 rpm. The substance is applied in small quantities and in several stages, distributing it evenly over the entire surface. At the end, be sure to wipe the item and check it for scratches or cracks. Since these procedures are quite complex, they are recommended to be carried out on test areas of the headset.

Polishing the wood with sheepskin felt will give the products an unusually mirror-like shine. It can also be done manually using felt cloth.

As you can see, making old things presentable and shiny again is not at all difficult. All you need to do is prepare the polish correctly and polish the furniture. In some cases, talented men can even restore damaged items themselves.

Glycerol

What it replaces: tire ink.

What an effect: the surface of the rubber becomes clean and bright, giving the impression of a new wet tire.

How to use. Buy a bottle of glycerin at the pharmacy and mix it with water in equal proportions. If you have a container with a spray bottle on hand, you can use it for application; if not, a regular dish sponge will do just as well. Apply the prepared product to the side surface of the tires, after cleaning them, and leave until dry.

Varieties

To date, several options have been studied and developed on how to make furniture polish with your own hands. Most of the ingredients are initially present in the house, since their purposes are varied, they are always available. The missing components can be purchased at your nearest pharmacy or market.

Despite the impressive shelf life, self-created mixtures have the most effective effect immediately after preparation. Therefore, you first need to decide on the list of necessary ingredients and prepare them. Only after this can you start mixing all the ingredients.

After use, the remainder of the polish should be placed in a container, preferably glass. Close tightly and place in a dark place. In this case, you should pay special attention to the consumption in order to subsequently prepare exactly as much polish as required. Thanks to this approach, the quality of the processed surface will improve by an order of magnitude.

Master classes on making transformable furniture with your own hands at home

With ammonia

The composition of polishes implies the presence of the following components: warm water, ammonia. For one liter of liquid, dilute two teaspoons of alcohol and mix thoroughly. Preparation is distinguished by the availability of ingredients and ease of implementation.

The shelf life of the resulting substance is quite long. At the same time, the quality of the composition remains unchanged. Polish with ammonia has a number of advantages:

suitable for almost all types of wooden furniture;
can be used for glass and metal products;
provides excellent shine;
does not leave cloudy streaks or stains;
the polished surface is covered with a protective film;
Easily removes dust and other contaminants.

There is only one minor drawback. It consists in the presence of a pungent odor. However, if diluted in a sufficient amount of water, it becomes muted and becomes almost imperceptible. If, after treating all surfaces in the room, an unpleasant odor is felt, then the room should be well ventilated.

With table vinegar

The composition of polish with vinegar implies the presence of the following ingredients: two teaspoons of essence are added to one liter of water. It is important to know that this recipe uses 70% vinegar. When replacing it with a 9% composition, the dosage should be increased.

Due to its liquid consistency, the solution can be poured into a vessel with a spray bottle. This fact means that skin contact with the cleaning product is kept to a minimum. Polish with the addition of table vinegar has a number of advantages:

provides excellent external characteristics, furniture looks like new;
the surface is degreased;
perfectly removes circles from glasses, mugs, sticky residue;
eliminates limescale, therefore, can be used to clean metal and ceramic objects.

A minor drawback is the specific smell that quickly fills the space. You can cope with it by adding 2-3 drops of essential oil to the solution. At the end of all processing activities, pour the composition into a glass or ceramic container and close the lid tightly. Then the service life of the substance will be unlimited.

Steps for making a simple do-it-yourself plasterboard cabinet

With olive oil and lemon

Polish implies the presence of two components: one glass of olive oil, 1/4 glass of lemon juice. To give the composition a pleasant aroma, it is recommended to add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil. All components must be thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. The quality of the surface treatment process will depend on this. The advantages of this type of polish include:

excellent cleaning of wooden surfaces;
masking minor scratches;
return of original shine;
elimination of pollution of various origins.

To rub with this composition, experts advise using a soft cloth, preferably without lint. Afterwards, wipe the surface dry to remove any remaining grease. Olive oil-based polish is best made in the amount needed for one-time use. It is not recommended to store this composition.

With chicken egg

The composition of the polish implies the presence of the following components: one chicken egg, two tablespoons of water at room temperature. The ingredients must be thoroughly mixed, beat with a whisk or mixer until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Preparation is simple and the time required is minimal. This polish has a number of positive characteristics:

the necessary ingredients are always at hand, no additional investment is required;
restores the color of furniture;
does not leave streaks or stains;
gives the surface a noble shine;
masks minor scratches;
removes microcracks.

To rub the surface with chicken egg polish, use a soft, clean cloth soaked in the prepared solution. Preference should be given to natural materials. The principle of surface treatment is to progressively rub in the composition using sufficient force. After completing all procedures, the remains are poured out. It is unacceptable to store the product.

With beeswax

The composition of the polish implies the presence of the following ingredients: petroleum jelly, essential oil (optional), beeswax. Cooking at home will take time because a water bath is used. The composition creation process is as follows:

take a 3-4 liter pan;
placed on the hob;
fix the container with all the components on top;
bring water to a boil;
the bathhouse is ready.

When exposed to high temperatures, components begin to melt. They should be stirred until a homogeneous consistency without lumps is obtained. Then the mass should be poured into a convenient container, preferably with a wide neck. After 30-40 minutes, the composition will harden and be ready for use.

To treat the surface, apply a thin layer of polish using a dry, soft cloth. Then rub it in gently using circular movements. The advantages of this product include: excellent surface shine, elimination of minor scratches and cracks, pleasant aroma, safety for the skin of the hands.

The procedure for making an additive machine for furniture with your own hands

With denatured alcohol, shellac, turpentine

Another fairly popular type of polish, created at home, includes denatured alcohol and shellac in equal proportions. The ingredients should be thoroughly mixed. The presence of lumps is unacceptable.

Another composition for polishing is also known in a strict ratio: turpentine (2 tbsp), lanolin (2 tbsp), soybean oil (8 tbsp), beeswax (1 tbsp). For preparation, it is recommended to use a water bath, in which the beeswax should initially be melted. Then carefully add the remaining ingredients. In this case, the composition must be constantly stirred to achieve the desired consistency. Both resulting solutions have similar properties and advantages:

high efficiency;
cope with the most complex contaminants, regardless of their “age”;
have an increased disinfectant effect.

However, these compounds are unsafe for human health. Therefore, they should be handled with extreme caution. When applying to the surface, gloves must be used. It is recommended to remove unabsorbed residues with a dry cloth.

Denatured alcohol and gel polish

A mixture of turpentine, lanolin, soybean oil and wax

How to polish furniture with your own hands. Advice from the experts

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.

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.

Important! It is not uncommon for a manufacturer to promise water-repellent, shockproof and antistatic effects. But in the end you only get disappointment and an unpleasant aftertaste in your soul. Although, for the sake of fairness, it is worth noting that expensive means will indeed provide such a result, but cheap analogues are a game of “believe it or not.”

Furniture wax is a good alternative

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).

Important! Furniture wax is in most cases used on freshly made furniture, or for thorough restoration of furniture products. When you need to remove a few small scratches or slightly refresh the color, it is better to use a polish with wax or silicone additives.

Wax furniture polish AMWAY™

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.

Important! The creamy aerosol spray consists of a mixture of wax and silicones. After use, the darkened wooden surface acquires its original shine and gloss, and scratches disappear.

creamy structure - does not flow, does not drip;
fresh lemon aroma - non-toxic;
convenient aerosol can;
easy to use.