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all the Frequently Asked Questions.
Refinishing/Restoring
Antiques
Dipping Vs. Hand Stripping
Flooded Furniture Restoration
Damaged spots or white rings
on furniture
Veneer has broken off or is
missing
Black marks from water on furniture
Providing "ballpark"
estimates
My Service Area
Corporate/Office Furniture Repairs
or Maintenance
Furniture Modifications
Payment Questions - Cash,
Check or Credit Cards?
Refinishing/Restoration
of Antiques
Q. I've heard that it's bad
to refinish antiques because it reduces their value.
Is that true?
A. Yes and no. There are
antiques that are quite valuable because of the patina
that develops as a piece ages. In such cases, I employ
techniques to enhance the existing finish and mask
imperfections without disturbing the finish. However,
most old furniture does not fall into the category
of "rare" or "museum quality"
and therefore can be improved with some restoration
work. Some mixed messages have been received as a
result of the PBS series Antiques Roadshow.
This is what Antiques Roadshow had to say
concerning furniture refinishing:
| "Well-conceived and well-executed refinishing
and restoration usually enhances the value of
just about any piece of old furniture. Exceptions
are those rare (often museum-quality) pieces that
have somehow survived in great `original' condition.
If we say or imply the contrary, we should be
called on it." - Peter B. Cook, Executive
Producer of Antiques Roadshow |
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Dipping vs. Hand Stripping Furniture
Q. Do you dip furniture to strip it?
A. The short answer is, "No." My feeling is that "dipping" any item to strip its finish or paint should be a last resort, not a first step. The exception to that rule would be multiple layers of paint or especially stubborn old varnish, and even then I'd only have architectural items dipped (doors, mantles), not furniture. Although some shops will contend that modern dipping chemicals are not as volatile, I always take the more cautious route. Dipping furniture can be very hard on the wood, destructive to glues, and destroys any patina fast. I hand strip only using the least invasive procedure possible to arrive at the best end result.
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Flooded
Furniture Restoration
Q. My furniture was flooded
after Hurricane Katrina. Can it be saved or should
I throw it out?
A. This really depends
on the kind of furniture you have. If your furniture
is well crafted and made from solid wood, it can usually
be restored. If you have a piece that is a combination
of solid wood and veneered pieces, I can generally
recraft the veneered pieces and match the original
with new veneers. However, if you have furniture that
is made of particle board, fiber board, chip board,
or low grade plywood, it is extremely difficult
to save. In fact, most insurance companies recommend
disposing of furniture made of these materials because
mold can grow into the voids. Water causes particle
board to swell and it is not repairable at that point.
Don't throw your solid wood furniture out, however!
I've spent a lot of time restoring flooded furniture
and you'd be amazed how a piece can be restored if
properly approached. I'll be happy to take a look
at it and give you my thoughts on its potential.
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Damaged Spots
or White Rings on Furniture
Q. I sat a glass full of ice
tea on my end table and it left a white ring. What
should I do?
A. This is a very common
question. There are a lot of products on the market
claiming that they can remove the white rings left
by moisture. Most of them work really well, but you
can accomplish the same objective using things you
may have around the house. Some experts say you can
rub creamy peanut butter into the white ring. It acts
as a mild abrasive and the oils will be forced into
the wood to condition it and release the moisture.
An old British technique is to mix cooking oil with
ashes and rub into the damaged spot. Both work well.
If these methods don't work, I can take a look at
it and more than likely remove the spot with some
of the more aggressive compounds in my repair kit.
Q. Can you fix burn mark on
my desk?
A. Yes. However this goes
beyond a finish issue as burns usually reach the fibers
of the wood as well. However, I can remove the damaged
area, spot fill and finish the area so that it will
be difficult to tell the burn was ever there at all.
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Veneer
is Broken off or is missing
Q. A piece of veneer chipped
off my cabinet when we moved. Can you fix it?
A. Yes. If the old piece
of veneer is still intact, it can often be reglued
and the edges blended to suggest it never broke off
at all. If the veneer is missing entirely, I have
a stock of various veneers that I can use to replace
the missing material.
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Black marks
from water on furniture
Q. A puddle of water sat on
my table for some time and now there's a black mark
there. What should I do?
A. Unfortunately this means
that the water penetrated the finish and invaded the
wood underneath. The tannins in different woods cause
them to react differently to exposure to water. Oak,
walnut, and mahogany can stain badly while others
don't. The surface needs to be stripped, bleached,
and refinished. Most stains will come out with some
patience, but others are stubborn. In those cases,
I use a combination of pigments to mask the stains
and reduce their appearance.
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Providing "Ballpark"
Estimates
Q. I have an old desk is damaged
and needs to be refinished. Can you give me a "ballpark"
estimate of what it might cost?
A. On some items I am able
to provide a rough estimate. Most of the time, especially
when it comes to restoration work, it is very difficult
to provide an accurate estimate with a vague description
of the piece. More often than not, a piece that requires
refinishing also will entail some sort of repair work
or structural enforcement. If you have digital pictures,
feel free to send them. That greatly assists me in
providing you with the "ballpark" estimate.
I am also happy to come to you to evaluate your pieces.
This is the best way to go. As far as custom work,
no two pieces I build are exactly alike as each is
made to customer specifications. I can provide rough
estimates after we iron out a few details.
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My Service
Area
Q. I live in Baton Rouge and
have a rocking chair to fix. Will you come pick it
up?
A. I generally limit my
service area to the New Orleans metro area; however
I may be able to refer you to a qualified craftsman
in your area. In rare cases, I will travel to provide
services. Clients are always welcome to bring their
work to me if they are from out of town. Some of my
services are highly specialized and many clients are
willing to make the trip because they know the job
will be done right. Please refer to the map below to see my regular service area.
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Corporate/Office
Furniture Repairs or Maintenance
Q. We have a conference table
with many dings and gouges. Do you do on-site office
furniture repairs?
A. Yes. I've provided several
New Orleans businesses with on-site service to repair
just such problems. Contact me to schedule an appointment
and I will come to you. I also offer periodic maintenance
programs for corporate offices. The appearance of
your office makes an impression on your clients and
it should look its best - including the furniture.
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Furniture
Modifications
Q. Can you convert an old cabinet
into an entertainment center?
A. You bet! It is smart
to maintain the charm of old furniture and adapt it
to modern use. I can add shelves, drawers, convert
the doors to pocket doors that will conceal, and install
proper ventilation and power supply for modern audio
and video equipment. Now if it's an antique, that's
another story. Some furniture is meant to live the
way it was born.
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Payment
Questions - Cash, Check or Credit Cards?
Q. How do I handle payment?
Do you accept credit cards?
A. There are many ways
to pay for the services I provide. I will gladly accept
cash, checks, and money orders. You can also pay with
your Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
Card, or PayPal. Let me know if you would prefer to
pay with one of these methods, and I will provide
you with a secured link to access your account balance.
You can choose the option most convenient for you
and handle payment safely and securely online. It
couldn't be easier!
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 "Service Area - Click to Enlarge")