Thou shall protect yourself at all times.

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"Safty first" should be the motto of every refinisher and restorer-no exceptions! Always wear protective clothing when stripping sanding or spraying and religiously wear goggles, gloves and respirators. It is far better to feel uncomfortable in the shop because of this gear than it is to incur a severe health problem down the line

Finishing means just that. It makes little sense to apply colors, sealers and top coats to pieces that have not been structurally repaired or that have surfaces that have not been properly prepaired. Fix nicks and scratches, replace veneer, frabricate and install missing parts-- and do it all before you start working on color or building the finish!

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Thou shalt always complete all repairs before refinishing.

One thing is certain in the day-to-day operation of a full-service strip/repair/refinish operation. There's a lot going on, and it's easy in the rush of business to overlook some of the basic principals you know you should be following. In observing many finishers through the years, I have developed a handy list I call " The 20 Commandments of Wood Restoration" and have done all I can to reinforce their observance in shops of all shapes and sizes. The roster starts with two guiding principals, then moves through the key stages of the wood-restoration process more or less one by one, hitting each with a key point to etch in mind. Observing them will save you time, labor, money-- and in some cases, keep you healthy.

Thou shalt always read and carefully follow all directions.

The information on product labels are there for a reason. The recommendations have been tested and are known to work. In addition, if you follow the directions and still have problems, you will be better prepared toto discuss the products performance with your supplier. Information is power! Use it!

Thou shalt always select sandpaper of the proper grit for use before staining or coating wood.

Abrasives with low grit designations can leave unwanted marks on wood and should be avoided. Also, be sure to progress through grit sizes from low ( never lower than 100!) to high as you prepare the wood surface for a new finish.

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Thou shalt always scrub stripped furniture with a "wash solvent" to remove any remaining residue of the old finish.

Any residue of stripper or the old finish remaining on the surface will reseal itself in the final finish as random gloss areas-- and this residue usually doesn't show up until the coatings are applied!

Thou shalt always allow wood to completey dry after stripping before thou maketh any repairs or apply new finishing materials

Wood that has been stripped must be allowed to stabilize with respect to relative humidityand the ambient temperature of your shop.Otherwise, changes in moisture content occuring after a repair has been completed, a stain has been added or a new finish applied may result in failures or unsatisfactory results.

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This page was last updated on: May 7, 2003

Thou shalt always write dates of reciept on all containers or finishing products.

Bad Material won't work, so don't use it! Rotate your inventory and use the older containers first-- and be sure not to use outdated material. Also, store your chemicals in clean, vented metal cabinets!

Thou shalt always thoroughly mix and strain liquids, including all solvents and coatings.

Solidified particles of resin and pigments, for example,can cause severe problems in applying colors and topcoats. Mixing and straining will end up saving you time, materials, and frustration.

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