How to Refinish an Antique Rocker

Clean the surface of the rocking chair with a little Murphy's Oil Soap and a few clean cloths or rags. You may need to scrub hard in corners and crevices to loosen excess dirt and grime.

Get rid of water stains that may be left behind after cleaning, by spraying the rocker with furniture polish and letting it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe the chair with a new cloth and see if the stains have been lifted. If the rocking chair still needs work to return it to its original glory, then it is time to refinish it.

Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area as you start the refinishing process. Focus on small areas at a time and apply the furniture refinisher to the chair using the steel wool. The refinisher will soften the old lacquer finish, while the steel wool removes scratches and hazy-looking areas.

Wipe up the dissolved finish using one of your clean rags before the refinisher dries. If needed, repeat step 3 to remove any remaining old finish.

Continue using the refinisher and steel wool until the entire piece is stripped of the old finish. Take the time and care to work in small cracks and crevices to fully remove the finish from those tight areas.

Apply polyurethane with a clean cloth or rag once the old finish is removed and the refinisher has evaporated completely. Wait an hour or two between coats of polyurethane, or longer depending on the manufacturer's instructions.