Just Hang In There...Furniture Refinishing

Furniture refinishing is IN!  Back in style, back in a big way. Re-use, re-purpose, recycle.  That's a good thing!

Are all finishers created equal? Are all products created equal? Well, no.

I am almost (keyword) reticent about writing this post.  But, almost is not enough to stop me, lol.  There are too many FABULOUS furniture re-finishers to mention but they all have one thing in common.  Prep is key.

I know, I know!  All of you chalk painters are going to rain down on me.  "Chalk paint saved our lives", you say. "Chalk paint eliminates the need to prep", you scream out.

Don't get me wrong.  I LOVE chalk paint as much as the next person BUT I still think you need to prep.  "GASP!!!!", the whole internet exclaims. Ok, not the whole internet but most of it. Well, at the least the non-prepping chalk paint people part of it.

Here's the deal.  My deal. I prep.  And I do some serious prep.

And this is where the "hang in there" part comes in.

1) Prep = labour.
2) More labour = more cost.
3) More cost = people who don't want to pay.
4) People who don't want to pay = no income.  I can deal with that. I happen to think I'm worth it, LOL.

That's a solid, genuine laugh for the record.  Tongue firmly planted in cheek.  C'mon.

It all involves waiting for the right client, which coincidently, will be another blog post soon. WAIT for the right client and don't sacrifice quality. QUALITY always wins. Always.

I am always sure to ask the clients how long they expect and want their finishes to last.  They should last a lifetime (you know what I mean).  I want to confidently tell my clients that their animals and children can knock, bounce and pound on my finishes without worry.

Fifteen years old, recently refinished and good to go for another lifetime. #phancydesign

Can you really get that from a chalk paint without any prep?  That remains to be seen.  Time will tell. Will the wax finish hold up for years to come? Resounding, NO.  That, my friends, will require maintenance. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

My prep process is intense but I can guarantee the finish if you haven't abused it (as in take a hammer to it, left it outside when it's meant for inside or you know, again, just abused it). That IS worth banking on.

My next post will highlight the best or worst products out there so far.  And I will answer these questions:

1) You quoted WAY higher than Company ABC, why?
2) Why do I have to pay for materials if you already have them in stock? Can't you just give them to me?
3) What if I don't want you to prep first?
4) Company XYZ told me they can do it in three days.  Why will it take you a week?

So stay tuned,  Unless of course, this post makes you angry.  And it probably will, but stay tuned anyway.  There IS a method to this madness ;-)