Is Reviving Better Than Refinishing?
We are seeing this terminology used in the market of “Reviving” instead of “Refinishing.” Product franchises are rebranding by selling their old oil based products. While it may be affordable to purchase their oil based products at a general hardware store, it must be heavily cautioned that oil based clear coats are just as bad and messy as oil based paint. The added gloss may appear to make the wood look rejuvenated, but the result is temporary. Dirt and grease gets trapped in these products and it takes harsh chemicals to reverse the damage. Gloss does not help with the durability of your cabinets. We will be writing a future blog about the differences in glosses, but it must be stressed that whether you select a Satin, Gloss, or any other type of finish in between, it is purely aesthetic.
At Resurrect Wood Refinishing, we use a water-based solution called a polyurethane acrylic. It is thin, odorless, and incredibly durable. Our techniques provide us the flexibility of offering our clients their choice of finish, without needing to add several thick layers of gloss.
Does refinishing an antique reduce the value?
Absolutely not. Old antique items are the perfect candidate for refinishing, and will be treated like royalty in the care of Resurrect’s technicians. Refinishing Antique items helps clean away grime, soot, dirt, grease, and oils that have built up over the years from use and exposure to the elements. Our non sanding process helps protect the profile and woodwork while our color correction helps us restore the original color when the piece was first made. This makes the item incredibly valuable with an added layer of durability and protection for the years to come. See our portfolio on our main website for a beautiful example of a recent antique fridge we’ve restored.
Can you put polyurethane over Old English or Minwax?
The reason we caution against “Reviving” with oil based products is that our polyurethane acrylic cannot adhere to those chemicals. Many voices on the internet seem to argue that it will apply right over perfectly, but the problem is that there will certainly be chipping in the following months to come. If your cabinets have been covered in Old English or Minwax, fret not. Resurrect Wood Refinishing does offer a sanding service if our technicians think your project is salvageable. Please contact us with photos and any information on the oil-based coats used on your woodwork and we will be happy to offer solutions to restore and refinish.
How do you restore faded wood?
We restored faded wood by applying a new coat of polyurethane acrylic . If the goal of the project is to change the color to a solid color, then no other steps are required. The tint in our finish will be able to cover up any imperfections.
However, if you are considering our Traditional or Staining services, the restoration is done by a process called Color Correction. After our technicians have cleaned and neutralized the surface, they use an assortment of natural wood colored pigments to help bring out the original color of the items. With enough balancing, Resurrect Wood Refinishing is able to add years back to faded sections in your woodwork.
How do you restore wood without sanding?
Resurrect Wood Refinishing uses its own proprietary solutions to help neutralize the surface rather than sanding it. We clean off grime, oils, grease, and other markings that may have gotten deep within the finish or grain. After scrubbing the surface of foreign elements, we neutralize it which prepares the wood to receive a new finish. That’s it! Our experts are happy to explain any questions you may have, but rest assured, there will be no heavy sawdust from extensive sanding in your home.
