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Common Mistakes To Avoid When Refinishing Furniture | Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering Jacksonville FL
September 14, 2016 03:34:33pm
Even seasoned DIY furniture restorers make mistakes. Here are some mistakes that are all too common, even though they are easy to prevent. As you set up for your own furniture restoration project, steer clear of these and your project should go smoothly!
1. Not heeding safety precautions. Powerful chemicals, strong fumes, and sharp tools are all part of the furniture refinishing process, and without taking the necessary safety precautions, your project can become dangerous. Wear gloves and safety goggles, and make sure your workspace is adequately ventilated.
2. Not reading instruction. It’s easy to get so excited about the project that you just dive in, skipping over all instruction. Take the time to read the directions, whether it’s how to handle a new tool, how to apply a specific type of finish, or even how to sand a certain piece in the right way.
3. Not preparing your workspace. Before you begin your project, clean your workspace thoroughly, wiping down all surfaces. This could save you hours of work, as any leftover dust and debris could settle onto wet paint or lacquer and dry. Lay down a dropcloth or tarp and move fragile items out of the way.
4. Skipping prep work. A quality product comes from quality prep work. Take the time to fill holes, smooth over cracks, and generally improve the structural integrity of your piece. Strip the old finish completely. Sand the piece thoroughly, and wipe it down afterwards.
5. Not waiting long enough. If the label on the paint can says to wait 2-3 hours before applying a second coat, wait at least 2 hours and then check your first coat. If the label on the varnish says to wait 24 hours for it to cure, wait 24 hours. If you hurry your timeline, the surface may be tacky, or may not have fully adhered. It can be tough to be patient, but it’s better than having to strip your newly applied coat and start over!
6. Rushing the project. You’re probably already envisioning moving your finished product inside the house and enjoying it, but don’t let that make you cut corners! If you think your piece will need two coats, don’t try to slather on one extra thick coat instead.
7. Choosing the wrong material for the furniture. The color of paint and the pattern on the upholstery that you select for your project are completely up to your personal tastes. However, you want to be sure that the material is appropriate for what the furniture will be used for. If the chair you’re painting will be positioned in direct sunlight, you want to find a coating that will resist UV fading. If you’re upholstering a sofa for your patio, you want to choose a fabric that will repel moisture and withstand our north Florida elements.
These mistakes are fairly easy to prevent, yet they happen often. Take the headache, hassle, and risk of mistakes out of the equation and hand your refinishing project over to a good professional wood refinishing company. Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering is the best furniture restoration company Jacksonville FL homeowners love and trust! Furniture refinishing is our passion, and our craftsmen take pride in transforming dusty, worn relics into polished pieces of art. Let our master craftsman upholster your favorite sofa in a bold, new fabric or repair the dining room furniture that has been in your family for years. San Marco, Riverside, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Jacksonville homeowners know the only company to trust with their furniture is to Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering.
