A World of Old

Reclamation

We make many pieces of furniture from reclaimed timber which makes each item unique. There are always a selection of items available at our showrooms so please either phone or call in for the current stock. Reclaimed furniture can either be left plain or finished using any of the techniques below. If in doubt, we can advise on the most suitable way to protect your new purchase. We can also offer our made-to-measure service using reclaimed materials, please ask for details.

Restoration

After the piece has been stripped and has dried thoroughly, it can be put through various finishing processes. After any necessary repairs and a light sanding to prepare the surface:

Oiling - Natural oils feed the timber and give a matt finish.

Hand waxing - Blended natural waxes applied and buffed to matt or more gloss finish any wax will nourish the timber - various shades can be used to give an initial colour then reapply clear wax as necessary to maintain the surface

Lacquering - A sprayed surface that will be hardwearing and waterproof.

French Polishing - Several layers of polish applied by hand with fine sanding between. This method takes time and is not very practical - any spills will ruin the surface! Usually used on cherished antiques.

Painting - A primer is applied then one or two coats of Farrow & Ball colour.
The final coat is a sealer to give a wipe-clean finish.

Distressing - A distressed finish is achieved by rubbing back colour layers to reveal as much or as little of the timber as preferred whilst keeping to the original look of the piece.

Stripping

We use two different methods to strip based on the type of timber and/or the existing finish. If the piece to be stripped is of pine or softwood with an oil based paint finish then it would be caustic dipped. This method, either hot or cold, is widely used in the trade and is the least expensive. Once the paint has been removed the piece is jet washed to rinse and then left to dry thoroughly. This process will usually take a couple of days.

The other method we have for non-oil based paint or lacquer finishes on other timbers is a hand stripping method. The stripper used is a biodegradable chemical which is forced from a tank into a hose and scrubbing brush for application to the item. The effect of the chemical is similar to that of the common diy products. Again it is jet washed and the chemical rendered harmless. Although more expensive than dipping it is still extremely cost effective as it will remove the most stubborn finishes, even modern factory varnishes, so that the furniture can be saved. Unlike dipping there is no soaking of the timber so close grained hardwoods are unharmed.