Why Is the Finish Peeling Off My Wood Furniture?

DIRECT ANSWER:

A furniture finish may peel, flake or lift because adhesion has failed. Possible contributors include age, moisture, surface contamination, incompatible coatings, previous refinishing or deterioration of the existing finish system. The appropriate repair depends on what finish is present and why it is failing.

IF THE FINISH IS COMING OFF, DON'T JUST PUT MORE FINISH ON TOP.

The problem may be underneath.

WHAT DOES FINISH FAILURE LOOK LIKE?

Signs may include:

Peeling

Flaking

Lifting

Cracking

Cloudiness

Blistering

Sticky surfaces

Uneven sheen

Areas where finish releases easily

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

Possible contributors include:

Moisture

Heat

Age

Contamination

Cleaning products

Previous coatings

Poor adhesion

Incompatible finish layers

DON'T ASSUME THE WOOD IS FAILING

A deteriorated finish can make furniture look much worse than the underlying wood actually is.

Determine which layer is damaged.

WHAT ABOUT STICKY FURNITURE?

Stickiness can result from several different conditions, including:

Finish deterioration

Cleaning-product residue

Polish buildup

Environmental effects

Do not aggressively strip the surface without understanding it.

CAN I JUST SAND IT OFF?

Maybe not.

Especially if the furniture contains veneer, aggressive sanding can cause permanent damage.

Finish removal should be appropriate to the construction.

CAN PEELING FINISH BE SPOT-REPAIRED?

Sometimes localized treatment may be possible.

Other situations may require broader refinishing for a consistent result.

The extent of failure matters.