Gordon Gray/Furniture Care

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We talk about caring for the wood in our furniture, rather than the finish that’s
on it. We are often concerned with moisturizing or oiling the wood (feeding it in
some way). These thoughts are simply incorrect, because wood doesn’t need
moisture or oil----it needs protection from other things or any liquids. This is why furniture is “finished” in the first place and protection of the wood is what the
“finish” accomplishes.

All of my Cashiers Cottage Furniture Collection pieces are finished with
natural oils and varnishes, for deep hard protection, and top coated with
the very best paste waxes available. Each piece is then finished by hand
polishing and/or rubbing.

Most damage to furniture finishes is caused either by abuse or exposure to
ultraviolet light. Abuse can take may forms. Avoid extremes of humidity and
temperature, which accelerate cracking and checking of finish and loosen joints
and veneer. Do not set beverage glasses, vases of flower, etc. on surfaces without
coaster or mat protection. Do not drag object-de-art over the surface and cut into the finish. This is all logical and obvious but due to the marketing and advertising
(is this a great country or what?) of care products, most people want to apply some
sort of product. Since most of the products do no actual harm to the finish, we
should consider the most common of them and some bases for choosing.

There are four categories of furniture care products:
	• clear polishes
	• emulsion polishes
	• silicone polishes
	• wax

Within each category (marketing notwithstanding) the only significant differences are scent and color, if they are desired.

Wax is far and away the best choice because it gives fairly permanent scratch
resistance and doesn’t highlight and damage. Of course, it isn’t mandatory that
any of these products be used. Dusting and cleaning can be done just fine by
using a water moistened cloth or chamois, as is done everywhere else in
the world.

Vacuum or dust with a soft cloth. Occasionally use a cloth just barely dampened with solvent-based cleaning wax to wipe the surface to pick up more dust, and immediately wipe with a dry cloth or soft paper towel. DO NOT use spray waxes and polishes on surfaces as they will leave a higher gloss and some silicone which may make future refinishing more difficult.

Occasionally wax with a good quality paste wax containing carnauba oil or
beeswax. Rub on a very light coat with a soft cloth with the grain of the wood
(or put a lump of wax inside a few layer of old cheesecloth and rub onto wood
thus preventing heavy smears; then buff at once with soft cloth, turning often, until
wax coating is hard. (Old cotton tee-shirts are good.) The biggest mistake that
people make when applying furniture paste wax, is applying too much. Wax is
tenacious about sticking to other things, but it does not stick well to itself. Rub in a
circular motion over the wood surface. Rub it vigorously and spread it thin. The
next step is to buff the paste wax, but when should you do that? You will know the
wax is ready to buff when it looks dry or hazed over. When the wax is ready, take another clean cloth and buff the surface. Buffing lightly will produce a satin sheen;
while more buffing can produce a higher sheen or even a gloss. If you try and buff
too soon, before the solvent has fully evaporated, you will effectively be stripping
the wax from the surface. This is the reason a poorly waxed surface appears to
have shiny and dull areas. If the solvent in the paste wax has not fully evaporated
the buffing cloth will pick up the solvent and use it like a wax stripper, removing
any dry wax as you attempt to buff the surface. If the paste wax is left on too long, it
simply is harder to buff out. In any case, one should not be alarmed; this can
easily be corrected in either instance by simply apply another coat of paste wax.
Paste wax helps cover small cracks and checks in old finishes, and can easily be
removed with solvent when desired. Store your “waxing” clothes in a covered
container and use over and over.

The importance of caring for your furniture (particularly unique one-of-a-kind, and
historic, original antique furniture) cannot be over stated.The wonderful furniture
that surrounds us is dependent on our support and interest for care and
preservation. Maintaining your furniture’s condition and taking measures to
prevent damage will ensure many years of use and enjoyment.
Gordon Gray

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