If you notice a scratch or scuff on your wood furniture, is it something that you should attempt to repair yourself or should you call a professional?

As a fine furniture maker in Boston that is experienced in working with all types of hardwoods, I would highly recommend that you contact a professional if you see the following on your furniture:

• Any deep gashes, cuts, dents, or burns that appear to have impacted the finish film
• Nail polish or nail polish remover that has spilled on your furniture
• White or black rings (white is from water, black is from contact with damp metal)
• Oil-based paint that has saturated on the surface of your wood furniture
• Scribbles from magic markers on the surface of your hardwood
• Uncertainty surrounding the type of finish that your wood has (shellac, varnish, lacquer, etc)

If you see something on your wood furniture that has not made the list above, I still would like for you to contact me with your questions before attempting to repair the furniture yourself. When you commission a piece of fine furniture, you want to make sure that it will retain its beauty for generations to come, and properly maintaining and repairing it when necessary will help keep your wood furniture looking its best.

To learn more about caring for your wood furniture, please contact me, Richard Oedel, fine furniture maker in Boston.