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site by Sukru GOK
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Twentieth 20th Century Furniture Refinishing have limited livesRefinishing can be limited to touching-up scratches or damages on-site, or might require the complete removal of existing finish, dyeing and staining and application of a new finish. Maintaining the original finish is often the preferred alternative. However, finishes used from the beginning of the 20th century until its end were mostly nitrocellulose lacquer, or later derivatives of lacquer or other catalyzed finishes. These finishes contain plasticizers that evaporate out of the finish over a period of decades, and when the plasticizer is gone, the finish is brittle, heat marks badly, loses adhesion with the wood beneath, and poorly protects the wood. Such deteriorated finishes are better removed than trying to save. Any finish put over the top of such a brittle finish, will transmit its problems through the new top finish. It might look alright for some months, but seasonal humidity changes will induce additional checking or cracks in the finish below. These new cracks will transmit right through the new finish, and look worse than the original finish. Historic Finishes like French Polish rarely found on Modern Furniture Refinishing French polish (shellac applied by special technique), or wax, may be refurbished. But it is rarely found, mostly on French or some European pieces. Wax can also be maintained indefinitely. Oil & wax finishes were used for Danish Mid Century Furniture of the 1960¡¯s-1980¡¯s. Oil finishes tend to wear off and dry out, and allow the wood to turn gray from moisture causing bacterial discoloration. The gray can be removed chemically without having sand and ruin the patina of the furniture. Meticulous Stripping & Sanding Preparation is Necessary for a Beautiful Finish- A beautiful new finish has its foundation in skillful preparation. The finish must be removed thoroughly, so the new finish will last and adhere well, without cloudiness or flaking off. Sanding is critically important. Excessive sanding removes wood bleached from exposure to light, and erases the patina of the furniture. Sanding can make the furniture look new, no matter how old the furniture. Sanding must be discused, to attain desired results. Stripping is done by hand application with enzyme-active strippers, n-n-1-pyrollidone, for an ecologically attractive green alternative to methylene chloride strippers. Stripping should never be done by dipping in a tank, filled with a hot lye solution. Lye dissolves all glue, raises grain, and ruins joinery, and turns wood a gray color permeating the wood. |
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Mario Bega Italian Desk, badly damaged |
Bega Desk with mismatched replaced drawer, damaged drawer pull requiring inlay |
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Mario Bega Desk Drawers after drawer replacement and repairs, after refinishing |
Finish stripped, veneer damaged and loose throughout |
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Desk detail |
Bega Mid Century Modern Desk after refinishing, restoration of nickel framing |
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Water Stains may be completely removed chemically- Water stains, gray or black blemishes in the wood, may be removed chemically with the proper acid. The stains can penetrate so deep that sanding cannot remove them. These stains can be removed without altering the surrounding patina of the furniture, dramatically improving appearance. Classically Trained Artists are crucial to Fine Furniture Refinishing Staining and dyeing are also key elements in successful restoration. Combining dyes and stains, an antique patina is replicated. Experts find it difficult to discriminate between an original finish, and skillfully refinished wood. Olek employs European artists in Fine Arts in colleges. Our artists possess exceptional abilities in color matching, and graining damaged or replacement wood elements, to blend in Dutchman inlays with adjacent wood. Our artists are key factors in our being able to say, ¡°if you can see repair work, then it has not been well done¡±, for under the hands of a skilled cabinetmaker and a touch-up artist, damages disappear. |
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Eames LCW with homemade T-nut "repair" |
Eames LCW with Dutchman inlay, touched-up |
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Eames LCW with closeup detail of Dutchman inlay after T-nuts removal |
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| Olek refinishes all Modern Designers and Manufacturers Furniture Our expertise includes fiberglass, wood, and metal furniture by all Designers or Manufacturers. |
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Pastille chair before |
Pastille fiberglass chair |
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Pastille chair refinished |
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| What type of Finish should be used when Refinishing? Selection of a finish is important to function in its intended use without damage. The usage for each piece, and the clients' preferred appearance determines whether a regular lacquer finish is appropriate, or a French polish finish, polyurethane, compounded "piano finish", oil, wax, epoxy, polyester, or other finish. Our shop has the ability to work with any these and other specialty finishes including faux marble, faux wood, trompe l'oeil, Oriental Lacquer, and gilding. Pickups & Delivery by our truck throughout metropolitan NY, NJ, PA, and CT- We arrange pickup, delivery and shipping promptly throughout metropolitan NY as well as around nationwide at modest cost. Your furniture is worth the trip. |
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Chair before |
Chair after |
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Chair detail |
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