My mother has an antique dresser that has been handed down for many generations. It was in really nice condition for its age. This week she painted it white and yellow to match her decor. Has she ruined this antique?
Nope! Not at all. All you need do if you want it back to it's original condition is to just remove the paint. Which of course is no easy chore but can be done. Then just do a little refinishing on it, a little sealer if necessary and it's back to normal. I've heard that the paint actually preserves it.
You know I've heard that too and I've also refinished furniture before that had been painted and it came out fine. I did often wonder though why someone would paint such a pretty piece of furniture. LoL, but at the time I don't think it was an "Antique".
I have found many, many nice pieces that were painted over and overlooked. No one wanted to bother with them, but after I refinished them, it was different.
Ruined and antique? 
. Has she ruined this antique? 
I've heard that the paint actually preserves it. 
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