Repair and restore tired furniture

A multi-phase weekend-by-weekend project to mend, strip and refinish a full set of furniture, from loose joints to fresh paint.

Guides in this project

01Fix a wobbly chair by regluing the joints 02Fix a wobbly table 03Fix a broken drawer bottom 04Replace drawer runners on a chest of drawers 05Adjust wardrobe and cabinet door hinges 06Repair a scratch in wooden furniture 07Strip and refinish a wooden table 08Paint MDF

AB-01Assess and fix wobbly chairsCheck every chair for loose, cracked or split joints before you start anything else. Follow the guide Fix a wobbly chair by regluing the joints for each one that moves. Chairs are a good starting point because repairs are quick and let you get a feel for how the old glue and timber behave. If a joint is too badly split to reglue, a carpenter or furniture restorer can scarf in new timber rather than you forcing a weak repair.

1 bottle · PVA wood glue 250ml

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2 each · Sash clamps

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4 each · Scrap wood blocks for clamping

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AB-02Fix any wobbly tablesMove on to tables while the chairs are still clamped and drying. Follow the guide Fix a wobbly table to tighten loose legs and bracing. Make sure the table is fully stable before you load weight on it later, since a wobble will throw off sanding and finishing work in the stripping phase.

1 bottle · PVA wood glue 250ml

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4 each · Corner braces

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1 each · Sash clamp

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AB-03Repair broken drawer bottomsWith chairs and tables sound, turn to any chests of drawers or sideboards. Follow the guide Fix a broken drawer bottom to replace sagging or split bases. Do this before touching the runners, so each drawer sits square in its frame when you fit new runners next.

1 sheet · 3mm plywood panel

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1 pack · Panel pins

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1 bottle · PVA wood glue

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AB-04Replace worn drawer runnersOnce drawer bases are solid, follow the guide Replace drawer runners on a chest of drawers for any drawers that stick, drop or jam. Measure the old runners carefully before ordering, as sizes and types vary between older cabinets. Budget around half a day per chest if you haven't done this before, as fitting can be fiddly.

1 pair · Replacement drawer runner set

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1 pack · Wood screws 25mm

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AB-05Treat scratches and surface damageBefore any stripping or painting, deal with scratches, dents and small gouges using the guide Repair a scratch in wooden furniture. Doing this now gives filler and stain time to cure fully before the whole piece is sanded in the next phase. Leave filled areas for the time stated on the tin, usually at least 24 hours.

1 tub · Wood filler

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1 each · Matching stain pen

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1 pack · Fine sandpaper 240 grit

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AB-06Strip and refinish solid wood piecesFor tables or chairs you want back to bare wood, follow the guide Strip and refinish a wooden table. This is the longest phase: expect two to three days per piece once stripping, sanding and curing time between coats of varnish or oil are included. Work in a well-ventilated space, wear gloves and a mask, and keep stripper away from any areas you've just filled or reglued.

1 tin · Paint and varnish stripper

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1 each · Scraper

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1 pack · Sandpaper (assorted grits)

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1 tin · Wood oil or varnish

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1 pack · Disposable gloves

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AB-07Paint any MDF or veneered piecesFinish with pieces that are painted rather than stained, such as MDF-fronted units, using the guide Paint MDF. Do this last so dust from stripping and sanding has settled and won't land in wet paint. Two thin coats dry faster and look better than one thick coat; leave a full day between coats.

1 tin · MDF primer

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1 tin · Satin or eggshell paint

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1 set · Brush and small roller set

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1 roll · Masking tape

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