Caring and Maintain the Wood Finishing

If you want the furniture to stay longer, then you need to care for its finish. The finish is the protection layer from the furniture; the damage to the finish layer can continue to wood. The finish layer is the furniture element that needs to be well treated to keep it’s in good shape. Wood furniture that is well cared for could be an investment since someday it may become antiques that have a high value.

There are no finishes that are everlasting; all finishes will wear and fade sooner or longer. But the proper maintenance will make the finish last longer.

Keep the finishing clean and dry

Here are tips for caring for and maintaining the finishing layer.

• Identify the type of finish.

Each type of finishing material has different characters, so they need different treatments as well. Now, there are many types of finishing materials, but simply they can be categorized into 2: the “chemical reaction dry” and “evaporation dry” finishing materials.

The "evaporation dry” is the finishing material that is dry by evaporation of its thinner without chemical reaction. Included in this type are: nitrocellulose lacquer, butyrate lacquer, acrylic lacquer, shellac, and varnish. The dry finishing layer is a thermoplastic film, which will melt and resolve when it is wetted with its solvent. They have low resistance to solvents and chemicals. In general, they also have a lower resistance against abrasion and scratches.
The “chemical reaction dry” is the finishing materials that dry by the chemical reaction together with its thinner evaporation. Included in this type are: polyurethane, acid curing, catalyzed lacquer, precatalyzed, and UV coating. The dry finishing layer is a strong thermosetting layer that won’t resolve with the solvent. The finishing layer is also highly resistant to scratches and abrasion.
Water-based coatings are actually a non-chemical reaction finished, but they have a higher strength to chemicals and scratches, but they are less resistant to the solvent. Now, with the development of the pain technology, there are some types of waterbase coatings that dry by chemical reaction. It will give high resistance to the chemicals and solvent. 
By knowing the types of finishing materials, you will be able to do better treatment to the finish layer. The information about the finishing type can help you choose the cleaning liquid when you need to clean the finish surface. You can use alcohol or even acetone to clean the “chemical reaction dry finish” if necessary. But for the “evaporation dry finish," you should choose the cleaning liquid carefully. The cleaning liquid that contains solvents such as alcohol, acetone, or M.E.K. should not be used since it will damage the finish.

• Keep the finishing layer dry.

Water is one of the greatest enemies of wood finishing. Stagnant water on the finishing layer can damage the finish layer, especially to the lacquer finish, shellac, or varnish. Even the polyurethane, acid curing, or water-based coatings are not designed to hold a puddle of water for a long time. The water and humid conditions will also invite fungus that will ruin the appearance of the finish. Since then, you need to keep the finish surface dry. The water or any other liquid on the finish should be wiped and cleaned soon to keep the finish dry.

• Avoid direct sunlight and physical abuse.

No finishing layer can withstand the physical abuses. Several types of finishing indeed could produce such a strong layer, such as PU or UV coatings, but they will not be able to withstand the physical treatment that is too harsh. It is very difficult to avoid the physical damage; as long as you use the product, there will be physical interaction that potentially damages the finish. What you can do is care for and handle the furniture carefully to minimize the physical abuses. You may layer a tablecloth, glass, or plastic layer to cover the top table.

The direct sunlight sends the high energy that will damage the finish. The UV light will cause the discoloration for the finish. The direct sunlight for the indoor finish will also cause the finish layer to be cracked and chipped off.

• Clean the finish layer periodically

The finish layer can become dirty due to dust, dirt, or stains. The dirt that is not immediately cleaned can stick to the finish layer and ruin the finish appearance. The stuck dirt will be more difficult to remove, and it may damage the finish. Ideally, every time there is any dirt at the finish, it should be cleaned immediately. Periodically cleaning for the finish layer should be done to keep the finish layer clean.

You need to use the proper cleaning liquid to clean the finish. Avoid the liquids that contain alcohol or solvent. The solvent will dissolve the “non-chemical reaction dry finish": shellac, lacquer, varnish, and water-based. Despite the "chemical reaction dry" finish layer being resistant to the solvent, you better avoid the solvent liquid to clean the finish. 

• Waxing.

It is the application of wax on the finish. The wax could help make the finish feel smooth and slippery. The waxing to finish is a good way to clean and keep the finish. It could reduce the abrasion and physical abuses with a small impact. But the wax coating will not last long in a surface finishing. He will soon disappear and be erased after being used for some time. The application wax will require repetition every period of time. Use the thin and clear wax to clean the finishing layer. Don't use the thick wax on the finish since it may stick and smear to the object being placed on.