Repairing Cedar Furniture

Cedar is one of the most popular woods for use in furniture, due to the fact that it is durable and resistant to insects. However, it is also a porous wood that is subject to discoloration and decay in the elements. Depending on the nature of the damage to your cedar furniture, there are ways to repair and restore it to its original pristine condition.

Handling discoloration of cedar

If cedar furniture is exposed to damp areas or left outdoors, it can suffer discoloration. To get the stains out of cedar, try employing a mixture of bleach and water on it, with an ounce of detergent for each gallon of water. Using this solution, brush the cedar with soft bristles to restore it to its natural color.

Staining cedar for preventative purposes

Applying a deep stain to cedar helps preserve the wood and keep it from damage by the elements. You should stain cedar every two to three years, using a type of stain that repels water and mildew. Quality stains should go deep into the wood but not leave a surface barrier. This helps to protect the wood from peeling.

Unconventional repairs for scratches and dents

If your furniture is suffering from scratches or dents, you can fairly easily repair this. For small scratches, rub the oil of a walnut or Brazil nut along the scratch to help darken it. For a large number of scratches, consider applying and lightly stroking hard paste wax on the surface of the wood. For larger scratches, you may cover it up with a stain. If you have dents in your furniture, add a few drops of water on the dent after removing the finish around the area. If you can not raise it using water, try putting holes in the dent using a needle, then use water to raise the dent. Let the wood dry for about a week, refinish the wood, wax and polish.

Depending on whether your cedar furniture suffers from simple discoloration, dings or dents, there are a variety of ways to repair it using some simple home remedies. There is no need to take it to a professional craftsman to have it repaired which could cost you hundreds.