Page 10 - CONSUMER HOW TO GUIDE - TheIntellegencer.com - Friday, May 21, 2010
How to. . . Protect your investment Furniture is an investment that lasts for generations. Keep yours in beautiful condition by protecting it from common household catastrophes.
Choose a furniture refinisher
Look for a refinisher with an established reputation and who specializes in furniture and wood repair. Be sure to check that their workmanship is guaranteed. Q: Can my Furniture be repaired on-site? A: Most refinishers attempt to conduct all repairs on-site. However, there are times where the extent of the damage will require your furniture to be repaired at an off-site facility. Make sure you aware of the procedure for off-site repairs. Q: Will the products used to repair my furniture be safe for my family? A: Look for a refinisher that uses predominately water-based products which have less odor and are safe for your family, pets and the environment. Some repair processes may require the use of more traditional products. In these instances, make sure to have adequate ventilation or simply work on the piece outside of the home. Q: What are the main types of damage that can be repaired in my home? A: All types and styles of wood furniture and surfaces. In many cases, items can be repaired instead of being replaced, which can save you money in the long run. Q: I have a white spot on the finish of my table, can this be repaired? A: White spots on furniture can result when heat (a hot pizza box for example) or water (from a glass) penetrate the surface. In many cases, this damage can be repaired on-site in a few hours or less. Q: My dog has chewed the leg of my table and
left some damage, can this be repaired? A: Yes pet damage can be repaired - to include dog chews, cat scratches and various other types of pet damage. The refinisher will inspect the damaged areas and provide options on how it can be restored. Q: I have a table that is showing some wear. What can I do to make this look better? A: There are several ways worn finish can be repaired. If the finish is still in good enough shape, a new coat of finish can be applied to achieve the desired result of an enhanced looked. However, if the finish is too badly damaged, the table will most likely need to be stripped and refinished. Q: Can I change the color of my furniture to match the rest of the furniture. A: Yes, It is generally very easy to take a light piece and darken it. Taking darker shades to a lighter shade requires more extensive processes – usually stripping and refinishing. Q: How long will the repair take? Will I be without my piece of furniture for an extended time? A: The refinisher should attempt to do many of the repairs in the customer’s home which reduces the turnaround time. However, sometimes the damage is too great and an item must be taken back to the shop for repair. As a guideline, minor repairs take one to two weeks and major repairs like refinishing take four to six weeks. Stop Furniture Damage Before it Starts Here are some helpful hints to help you keep your furniture looking its best.
• Commercial/Residential • Moving Damage Repair • Dent/Gouge/Scratch Repair • Repair/Refinishing • On-Site Repairs • Antique Restoration
•Most furniture is best cleaned with a damp cloth – adding a little soap is a good thing. Then dry the surface with a clean cloth. • Avoid all cleaners containing ammonia. It can damage your wood furniture. • Frequently dust with a soft, dry, clean cloth. • Make sure your furniture polish does not contain a high amount of alcohol as it can damage wood finishes. • Use coasters with felt or cork bottoms to reduce water rings. • Protect furniture from hot serving dishes with a table cloth, oven mitt or hot plate. • Be careful when cleaning, never allow moisture to be trapped between glass and a wood surface. Make sure surfaces are completely dry before the glass is replaced. • If you have pets that enjoy getting on wood chairs and table tops, protect those surfaces with a table cloth, chair cover or protective pad. Wood and Moisture: Preserving the Delicate Balance All wood has some moisture in it, however too much moisture or dryness can be an unseen enemy of your wood furniture. Moisture in furniture can often lead to mildew, while dryness can cause furniture to lose its natural luster and weaken joints. Maintaining the delicate balance of your furniture is important to keeping it looking nice year after year. Information provided by Furniture Medic Tom Mannion.
BEFORE
AFTER BEFORE
FURNITURE MEDIC® ®
“The prescription for damaged furniture” Tom Mannion
Celebrating 10 Years in Business
618/651-9719
AFTER
tmannion@charterinternet.com