Teak & Timber Furniture Restoration & Refinishing in Melbourne
I restore and refinish teak, timber and vintage furniture that has become worn, faded, scratched or poorly refinished over the years.
Some pieces need a complete refinish. Others only need careful surface work or a repair in one area. I look at the timber, veneer, existing finish and previous work before deciding what actually needs to be done.
The aim is to keep as much of the original furniture as possible while bringing the timber back to a finish that suits the piece.
For clients who want to preserve the original character, value, and craftsmanship of their furniture while giving it a refined, lasting finish.
When Refinishing Makes Sense
Not every worn piece needs to be stripped back and completely refinished.
Sometimes the surface is simply dull, dry or marked from years of use. In those cases, careful cleaning, local repair or a lighter treatment may be enough.
Other pieces have failed coatings, deep scratches, water damage, heavy staining or previous refinishing work that has changed the colour or appearance of the timber. That is when a more complete restoration starts to make sense.
I also look closely at whether the furniture is solid timber or veneer. Veneer, in particular, needs restraint because aggressive sanding can permanently damage the surface.
The important thing is to work out what can be saved before removing anything.
I would rather keep a sound original surface with a few signs of age than strip it unnecessarily just to make the furniture look new.
If the timber mainly looks tired rather than badly damaged, my guide to restoring the shine to wood furniture explains when a lighter approach may be enough.
Teak & Timber Furniture I Commonly Work On
Most of the pieces I work on are well-made furniture that has reached the point where the surface, joints or veneer need attention.
Some pieces have faded finishes, scratches, water marks, loose veneer or older repairs that need correcting.
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Table tops take a lot of daily wear, so I often see faded finishes, water marks, scratches, heat damage and uneven colour. Some need a full refinish, while others only need local repair and careful surface work.
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These pieces often include solid timber, veneer, doors and drawers. I check the original finish, veneer condition and previous repairs before deciding how much work is needed.
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Chairs often have loose joints, movement and worn finishes. I check the structure first and complete any repairs before refinishing the timber.
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These pieces usually show wear around handles, edges, tops and other frequently used areas. I restore these surfaces without making the furniture look over-restored.
How I Refinish Timber Furniture
I start by looking closely at the whole piece. I check the timber and veneer, the condition of the finish, scratches, stains, loose joints and any previous work. This helps me decide whether the piece needs a complete refinish or a smaller repair.
Timber Types I Commonly Refinish
Teak
Walnut
Oak
Beech
Mixed hardwoods & mid-century veneers
Different timbers age, wear and respond to finishes in different ways. I do not use the same preparation or finishing approach for every piece.
Timber Furniture Restoration in Melbourne
I carry out the refinishing work myself rather than sending pieces elsewhere.
I work with clients across Melbourne on teak, timber and vintage furniture, including dining tables, sideboards, cabinets, chairs and other pieces that are worth repairing rather than replacing.
Each piece is assessed individually. I look at the timber, construction, veneer and existing finish before recommending what should be done.
The aim is not to make old furniture look new. It is to make it look right again.
Start Your Refinishing Project
If you have a teak table, sideboard, cabinet or another timber piece you're thinking about refinishing, send me a few photos.
I'll take a look and tell you what I think it needs, whether the existing finish can be saved and whether refinishing is worth doing at all.
Richard Lloyd
Mid Century Restoration
📞 0433 110 521
✉️ midcenturyfurnitureresto@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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I mainly work on teak, timber and veneer furniture, including dining tables, coffee tables, sideboards, cabinets, desks, chairs and other vintage pieces.
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It depends on the size of the piece, its condition, the existing finish and whether repairs are needed. I can usually give you a better idea once I've seen some clear photos.
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Not necessarily. If the existing finish can be retained or repaired, I prefer to keep it. Full removal is only recommended when the old coating has failed, been badly applied or is preventing the timber from being restored properly.
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Many can be improved considerably, but it depends on how deep the damage goes and whether the furniture is solid timber or veneer. I assess that before deciding how much surface preparation is safe.
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Yes. Teak dining tables are a common refinishing project. The work can include removing failed coatings, dealing with surface marks, careful preparation and applying a finish suited to indoor teak furniture.
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When sanding is needed, I do it carefully. Some mid-century furniture uses thin veneers, so aggressive sanding can cause permanent damage.
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No. Sometimes a piece only needs a clean, small repair or limited surface work. I would rather recommend less work than refinish something unnecessarily.