Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I heard one of the experts on the Antiques Roadshow say that repolishing a table would reduce its value. Is this true?

A: Yes and no! Most experts in the antique furniture trade in the UK expect a piece to look its age. But in our opinion there is a difference between looking your age and appearing downright shabby. It also of course depends how much the furniture is worth in the first place. We would always advise you if any restoration we propose could affect the value of a piece.

Q: I tried re-glueing my dining chairs myself but after a few months the joints were loose again. Can you do better?

A: Yes! The only way to ensure a joint stays tight is to make sure the old glue is completely removed and then to clamp the repair properly. Wood glue works not by forming an adhesive layer but by being forced into the fibres of the wood.

Q: I have heard that stripping furniture damages joints and veneers. Does this happen?

A: Considerable harm can be done to furniture by dipping it in caustic tanks. Not only joints and veneers can be damaged but the surface fibres of hardwoods can be badly affected making it impossible to achieve a nice finish. At Paxton Furniture we do not use tanks - all of our work is hand-stripped.

Q: I have a 1970s teak dining suite that is now in pretty poor condition. Is it worth restoring?

A: The answer is almost always "yes". We restore a lot of old G-Plan and Mackintosh furniture. People become accustomed to the style of their suite. It may also have sentimental value and they do not want to buy a new one. Either way we can have dining table and chairs looking as good as new for a fraction of the cost it would take to replace them.

Q: Won't finishes that are sprayed on start flaking off after a short time?

A: Yes, they probably will if they are just sprayed onto old finishes. Unfortunately this practice has led to a lot of mistrust and misunderstanding. At Paxton Furniture we only ever apply spray finishes to wood which has been stripped completely of old finishes and fully neutralised.