Furniture-Clinic.com The Furniture Clinic of Georgia.

Restoration

A thorough examination should be done first before repairs are attempted. Proper tools, correct glue, appropriate parts in keeping with the piece, good skills and years of proper training.   Many quality pieces have been depreciated by poor repairs, causing it to lose a lot of its charm and beauty.

In order to avoid the least amount of damage to the wood surface, short cuts should not be taken.   It is important that proper technique be used. The methods such as heat and mechanical vats should not be used, as they can destroy wood surface, lift veneer, damage joints and texture after years of use. The best and least harmful method of removing an old finish is the use of good commercial paint removal; hand strip only.

Complete restoration of antiques and collectables requires all the skill and craftsmanship of many years experience. Many beautiful antiques are ruined by beginners and people with lack of knowledge of wood. When the original finish is in good condition, it should not be removed. A lot of beauty lies in an old finish. To preserve the finish, it should be cleaned, buildup removed and restored by and. The French finish is one of the most desirable, beautiful, finest finishes of all.

Preparation is very important, because the end result of the final finish depends on how good the wood has been prepared. Proper filling dents, scratches, and mars, along with sanding, gives you a good idea of how the pieces will look.

Refinishing.   When choosing the finish, consider the type of wood – walnut, mahogany, pine, etc. Some of the most common types of finish material are lacquer, oil, shellac, varnish, polyurethane and waxes. All require different procedures.   There are three basic types of finish:
·
          •High Gloss

·         •Satin Rubbed

·         •Flat

Also, there is the Polish Rubbed finish done by hand. This is seldom used, except on fine antique period furniture or fine reproduction pieces

The basic steps for lacquer finish.   First, make sure the surface is sanded properly. Second, the correct use of stain and filler maintains the wood’s natural look, without dark or light areas. Third, a good grade sealer applied properly and sanded between coats is needed (too much can cause the top finish to be less durable). Fourth, is a good grade lacquer applied properly, sanded between coats and hand rubbed or buffed to a proper sheen.

Lacquer finish. We use the highest grade lacquer. Unlike a polyester, it can be touched up and repairs can be effective on this type of material. Alcohol and water resistant lacquers are also available.