jeudi 14 juin 2018

The Various Methods Of Wood Restoration Leominster

By Susan Long


There are few things that are as priceless as family heirlooms, unless of course it is one that looks new because of restoration techniques. Getting life into old furniture is not a process that will be quick but is worth the effort. Restoring furniture is not that complicated if the right processes are followed. In considering wood restoration Leominster residents need to consider certain tips.

One of the most important considerations when doing the work is safety. It is a process that makes use of chemicals and tools that can be hazardous if not used in the right way. The right tools should be used for the work because it will make the work easier and ensures safety. You will be required to wear various protective gear like eye protection, long sleeves and rubber gloves. It is also advisable to work around areas that are well ventilated to avoid risk of inhaling dangerous vapors.

Before you start the restoration, it is important to identify current finish on the wood. There are natural finishes like lacquer, vanish and shellac that are not very easy to identify, at least not by just looking. It could need experimenting. In the first place. Surfaces are tested by applying denatured alcohol to the conspicuous areas. If the finish in question comes off with the alcohol, it would mean it is shellac.

If the finish is removed using lacquer thinner, it should be concluded that is indeed lacquer. If none of these products lead to any results, it should be concluded that it is varnish. It would be much easier identifying pigmented finishes like enamel and paint. Wax, oil and penetration sealers can be identified by the lack of shine on the surface.

There is the option of re-amalgamation. There are instances when finishes develop scratches or cracks that might dull the surface of wood, leading to a crackling effect. This is best repaired through re-amalgamation. It uses solvent that is applied directly to remove any imperfections. Solvent to be used should be chosen, either denatured alcohol in the case of shellac or lacquer thinner. You cannot re-amalgamate varnish.

In the case of re amalgamation, there is application of solvent on the finished surface. This is a process that is done using bristle brushes that are natural and needs to happen fast before the brush dries up. As solvents start to dry up, they will have a glossy appearance in the beginning before the finish becomes dull. There are never any scratches. The areas in question need to get buffed lightly, which is done with steel wool. Application of hard paste wax will add shine to the surfaces.

The first step in restoring of antique furniture is stripping. It is done so that there is room for new stain. In case there are more layers of paint, it should go through a tougher stripping formula like a semi-paste that can stay on the surface so that old coats are loosened. The stripper is liberally applied in the same direction. Depending on how thick varnish is, the average waiting time is 20 minutes.

The last step usually is refinishing. It is a step that involves applying a new stain coating on the furniture. There will be sanding of the surface, which happens using a vacuum and some tack cloth.




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