Whilst you may of allmost certainly added patina to a an object .
Whilst You May Have Almost Certainly Added Patina to an Object
Regular waxing and polishing is part of looking after antique furniture, but like most things in life, too much of a good thing isn't necessarily a good thing.
For most furniture, a good wax polish once or twice a year is quite sufficient. Some pieces, particularly those that are handled and used regularly, may benefit from more frequent attention. But polishing furniture every week simply because you think it needs polishing can eventually do more harm than good.
Wax builds up.
Over many years, repeated applications can leave a thick, sticky surface which attracts dust and dirt rather than enhancing the original finish. What started as a sensible attempt to care for an antique can eventually obscure the very patina you were trying to preserve.
And whilst you may have almost certainly added patina to an object, what you have probably added is actually layers of polish.
Genuine patina develops naturally over time through age, use and exposure. It is one of the things that makes an antique attractive and, in many cases, valuable. It shouldn't be confused with dirt, neglect or several decades' worth of furniture wax.
So, by all means, look after your furniture. Give it a gentle clean, use a good quality wax and polish it properly when it needs it.
Just don't feel that an antique needs polishing every time you walk past it.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for an old piece of furniture is leave its patina alone.
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