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The solid wood used in our furniture is a natural product that has variations in grain and colour – these should be cherished as forming part of the individual character of your piece.

 

Solid wood is enormously resilient and retains its integrity in the face of the inevitable knocks and marks that a well-used piece of furniture will experience.

 

Our wooden furniture has the following finishes, depending on range.

 

Lacquer

This is a clear, durable finish that protects the wood while allowing the natural colour and grain to show through. During the first weeks after delivery, take extra care with your furniture as the lacquer surface may still be hardening. Thereafter, the finish is very low maintenance and stain resistant. It can be wiped clean with a slightly damp cloth or, if you prefer a glossier look, with a regular non-silicone and ammonia-free furniture polish, such as Pledge. Severe damage to the surface can be addressed with expert advice.

 

Wax

It is one of the most traditional means of protecting and enhancing the surface of wooden furniture. You should re-wax your furniture once every six months or when it appears dry. Application of wax will refresh your furniture so that is assumes a rich colour and a smooth surface. However, spillages should always be cleaned up as soon as possible. Any good furniture wax can be used – please follow instructions carefully and pay particular regard to safety. Marks and scratches can be removed using very fine steel wool or sandpaper, gently working with the grain, followed by re-waxing (this may produce a temporary colour difference).

 

Oil

The Artisan oiled oak ranges have been pre-finished at the factory with several coats of pure oil, giving a durable, water resistant finish whilst enhancing the texture and beauty of the natural wood. To maintain the beauty and finish of your oak furniture, we recommend regular treatments with drying oils (Tung oil, Danish oil, Linseed oil etc.).

 

How Often?
Since leaving the factory, your furniture may have spent several weeks in transport and storage and a treatment soon after you take delivery may benefit the appearance of your furniture. After that, six monthly intervals should suffice. More frequent applications can be applied.

Besides protecting the surface, the oil will enhance the colour, adding depth and lustre to the finish. There are no hard and fast rules but areas of heavy usage, such as table-tops or the tops of chests, will benefit from more frequent applications.

 

How should the oil be applied?
Oiling could not be easier. Simply apply with a soft, lint free cloth and leave for 5-10 minutes for the oil to penetrate, before removing any excess. Leave for a further 30 minutes and wipe dry. Please be aware that this process may darken the look of your furniture and should be tested on a non-visible surface.

 

What are the advantages of an oiled finish?
Unlike conventional lacquers, drying oils penetrate deep into the surface of the timber, protecting from within. They cannot chip and any minor scratches to the surface of the timber can be retreated with the application of a little more oil. Drying oils protect without obscuring the natural ‘feel’ and texture of the grain.

 

Which oils can I use?
Drying oils vary from pure oil (Tung or Linseed) to many commercial preparations (Tung oil, Danish oil, Trip-trap oil etc.). All are suitable and most are readily available from DIY stores and supermarkets. The majority of our oiled furniture is finished with Tung oil which is natural, non-toxic oil obtained from the seeds of the tung tree (aleures fordii).

 

Records of tung oil date back two millennia in china, its uses varying from water proofing ships to finishing the highest quality furniture. It is quick drying, penetrates deep into the pores of the timber, forms an almost permanent seal against moisture and does not lose its elasticity with age. It is widely recognised as one of the finest drying oils.