They say on the Antique Road Show that stripping or cleaning the finish on an old piece of furniture decreases its value. Does this mean I should not clean or refinish my old furniture items?
The first comment I wish to make on this subject is regarding repair, restoration, preservation or conservation specialists who attempt to offer you any appraisal of your item. This advice from a professional view is a conflict of interest and is at best, borderline unethical. Questions of value should always be left up to qualified Antique Appraisal professionals who have the resources and experience to provide a bone fide appraisal. This question brings up several subjects and comes up over and over again. There is no simple answer to this question and needs to be looked at from several different perspectives. The best way to answer that question is to start with a few questions. What is the value of the item in its current condition? Current condition has a strong influence on resale value. Is it an antique of highly collectible value? How certain are you that the existing finish is the original finish? How old is the item? Has the original finish been painted or antiqued over? Thes
Related Questions
- They say on the Antique Road Show that stripping or cleaning the finish on an old piece of furniture decreases its value. Does this mean I should not clean or refinish my old furniture items?
- conceived and well-executed refinishing and restoration usually enhances the value of just about any piece of old furniture. What does this Mean?
- How do I go about getting a mural, faux finish or piece of furniture painted?
