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How to Restore Antique Headboards

Antique headboards can add flair to any bedroom. Maybe there's a faded but stately Mission-style oak bed in your grandmother's attic, or perhaps you picked up a painted sleigh bed that could be the centerpiece of your guest room. Antique headboards run the gamut from Shaker simplicity to Victorian elegance. With a little knowledge and some elbow grease, you can bring these treasures back to their original glory.

Things You'll Need

Murphy's Oil Soap
Clean cloths
Paste wax
Denatured alcohol
Clear nail polish
Furniture stripper
Rubber gloves
Safety goggles

Instructions

- 1
  Clean and inspect the headboard. Maybe all it needs is a thorough cleaning and waxing. Use Murphy's Oil Soap or a similar product to clean it. If the headboard is carved, you may need to use an old toothbrush or toothpicks to get into the crevices. A good paste wax will restore the headboard's antique patina.
- 2
  Touch up the finish if it doesn't need to be stripped. The headboard may need more than a good cleaning and waxing, but many imperfections in the finish can be repaired without stripping. To remove white water marks caused by storage in a damp or leaky environment, wipe with a clean cloth dampened with denatured alcohol. Fill chips and dings with clear nail polish. After the polish has dried, sand it smooth with 600 grit sandpaper.
  
  Keep in mind the difference between restoring and refinishing. Restoring is bringing something back to its original state, and while that may mean removing a coat of finish, it does not involve removing the original finish. Refinishing is stripping the piece of its original finish and applying a new one.
- 3
  Strip the finish, if needed. Apply and remove stripper according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Work in a well-ventilated space and wear protective gloves and goggles.

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