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How to Replace Broken Appliques on Antiques

Appliques are thin, delicate wood decorations, most often leaves or vines. They weave a decorative pattern that is exclusively for aesthetics. Usage of wood appliques dates back hundreds of years. They can be found on antique dressers, credenzas, desks, chests or chairs. Due to the fragile quality of appliques, they are usually the first thing to go when age takes its toll on an antique. Reproductions of all old appliques are available, and it is reasonably simple to replace the damaged appliques with new ones.

Things You'll Need

Putty knife
Diagonal pliers
Chisel, 1/2-inch
Glue
Brads, 3/4-inch
Cordless drill
Drill bit, 3/16-inch
Hammer
Nail set
Putty

Instructions

- 1
  Slip the edge of a putty knife under the applique. Pry up on it, working around the perimeter. Don't break it if possible. Get it as loose as you can without removing it.
- 2
  Grab any nail heads with diagonal pliers and pull them out from the top of the applique. Finish prying the applique loose with the putty knife and remove it. Pull out all remaining nails.
- 3
  Take the applique to a hobby shop, or home improvement store and try to find a reproduction. If you can't find one, get online. Find one or one similar and order it.
- 4
  Scrape away any old residual glue or varnish with a chisel where the old applique came off.
- 5
  Drill several holes around the perimeter of the applique with the cordless drill and 1/16-inch bit. Apply a very small amount of glue to the back of the applique. Smear the glue with your finger to cover the back with a light coat.
- 6
  Press the applique onto the antique. Hold it in place for about three minutes for the glue to set up.
- 7
  Insert the brads into the holes. Hammer the brads down easily. Set the brads below the surface with a nail set. Putty and sand over the applique with 180-grit sandpaper.

Antiques