Our
skilled crafts people have taken great pride in creating quality furniture that
will give you many years of service and satisfaction.
The following recommendations will help you maintain your furniture so that it
will enhance the beauty of your home in the future as much as it does today.
Timber as a Natural Product
Timber is a natural product and has characteristics that make each piece of
furniture unique and individual. Mineral streaks, grain variations, knots,
pitch pockets, colour variations and other markings create a natural beauty. No
two trees are exactly alike and this is reflected in the unique character that
is reflected through the lustre of our carefully applied finishes.
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Controlling Climate
Freshly sawn timber initially contains more than 50 percent moisture and has to
be carefully dried to reduce the moisture content to a level which allows it to
acclimate to the average level of humidity found in most homes.
Timber will continue to exchange moisture with the atmosphere in response to
changes in the relative humidity around the furniture. Extremely dry air will
cause timber to lose moisture and shrink a little, correcting itself when the
humidity rises again. Maintaining a stable humidity level or reducing the rate
of change of relative humidity will reduce the amount of movement within your
timber furniture. These movements are however natural changes and do not affect
the quality and sturdiness of your furniture.
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Sticking Drawers
Humid weather may cause drawer fronts to swell and become difficult to open and
close. Although every care is taken to allow for normal expansion extreme
conditions may cause drawers to stick. A simple solution is to rub candle wak
on the drawer sides and runners. When the air dries the drawers will cease to
stick as the timber shrinks again.
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Direct Sunlight
Exposure to continuous direct sunlight should be avoided. Extended exposure can
create hairline cracks in the finish or can affect the colour by fading or
darkening. Arranging furniture away from direct sunlight is recommended and
using window treatment to block out ultra violet rays. "Mellowing" is a natural
darkening of timber with age and is not considered a defect.
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Simple Precautions
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Don't put anything that is hot directly on your furniture. Seek help from a
furniture repair specialist if it does inadvertantly get burnt.
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Use natural fibre doilies or felt pads under lamps and other accessories and
use protective pads when using riting utensils. Coasters should be used when
placing hot or cold drinks on timber furniture.
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When working with items that can potentially damage the timber use a protective
sheet or covering. Crayons, markers and glues as well as oils from scented
potpourri can cause damage to finishes.
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Do not lean back in chairs and aviod using pedestal tables as foot rests.
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Avoid excessive scratching by not dragging objects across timber surfaces but
rather lifting them.
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Timber Needs to Breathe
The fine laquer finish on your Stephlea furniture needs to "breathe" to
maintain it's appearance and durability. Rather than being covered for extended
periods of time it should have exposure to the atmosphere. To help achieve best
results;
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Move desktop objects such as electronic equipment and clocks periodically.
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Felt disks should be used on the corners at the bottom of an upper unit which
sits on top of a base such as a bookcase.
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Accessories or other items placed on desks and other furniture surfaces should
be rotated. Surface indentations can be avioded by using felt disks under
accessory items.
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Dusting
Regular dusting helps remove abrasive particles from timber surfaces.
The use of a soft clean cloth such as an old T-Shirt or baby nappy is
recommended. Do not use a sponge or dishcloth.
Pick up accessories and replace gently when dusting.
Moisten you cleaning cloth slightly with water as this will help prevent
scratching and will collect the dust better as well as reducing static that can
further attract dust. Do not aloow moisture to remain on the surface.
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Polishing
As well as regular dusting, timber surfaces will also benefit from polishing
occasionally to remove smudges and other particles, enhancing the appearance of
your furniture.
Polishing only 2 or 3 times per year is recommended although doing it more
often won't damage the finish. Keep in mind that over polishing can detract
from the appearance of the finish.
To polish your furniture please follow this procedure:
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Using the polish sparingly, dispense a little on a clean natural fibre, lint
free cloth.
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Wipe the polish on the furniture in the direction of the grain, avaioding
circular motions. Wipe excess polish off with a second cloth or the clean side
of the cloth you are using.
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Avoid excess rubbing as this can be detrimental to the finish and cause uneven
shine.
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Avoid the use of silicone based polishes as these can clog the pores of the
timber and soften the finish making repairs difficult.
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Minor Repairs and Touching Up
Although minor damage to timber furniture can be repaired with the right
materials and carefull attention to detail, always test your remedy on an
inconspicuous area to make sure that it does not damage the finish. The
following are suggested methods only and individual results may vary.
Nicks and Scratches
Minor scratches that expose the timber under the finish can be made less
noticeable by colouring with a touch up pen in a colour that matches the
furniture.
Stroke the felt tip of the pen over the scratch in the direction of the grain.
Rub off excess colourant immediately with a sft cloth.
Polish the entire surface with an approved polish.
Water Marks
Water marks will often dissipate over time, however if after a month the mark
still remains then apply a little salad oil to a clean white cloth and rub on
the mark in the direction of the grain. Polish after drying if necessary.
Heat Marks
Heat marks can be treated by rubbing gently with extra fine steel wool or by
coating the area with salad oil, wiping dry with a clean cloth and following
with a polish.
Sticking Paper
Dampen the paper thoroughly with salad oil and after a few minutes rub gently
in the direction of the grain with extra fine steel wool, wipe dry with a clean
cloth and follow with a polish.
NOTE: Extra fine steel wool (0000) is available from hardware stores and you
should not use steel wool pads made for scrubbing pots and pans.
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Spills and Stains
Accidents happen even when you are careful. Fast action will avoid deep
penetration in to the timber and possible damage. Some common spills may be
treated as follows:
Food Stains
Wipe up the spill and polish with a clean, soft cloth to avoid stains from
mayonnaise, tomato sauce or juices.
Candle Wax or Gum
Harden the wax or gum with ice wrapped in plastic and gently lift it off the
surface with a non-stick spatula or credit card. Allow the surface to dry and
follow with a polish.
Alcohol
Cocktails, Colognes and medicines contain alcohol and will disolve the finish
on contact. Allow these spills to air dry and if damage results seek the advice
of a specialist furniture repairer.
Paint
Water-based paint should be wiped off immediately with a clean damp cloth. Oil
based paint should be allowed to dry before pushing away gently with a
non-stick spatula or credit card.
Nail Polish or Polish Remover
These highly volatile solvents can cause a lot of damage. Blot away from the
surface immediately but do not rub. Allow to dry and consult a furniture repair
specialist.
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Placement of Furniture
Most homes have slight variations in floor levels caused by age, construction
or floor coverings. Our furniture is constructed to stand on flat level
surfaces and all drawers and doors are aligned when leaving the factory. Floor
variations may result in the mis-alignment of your furniture.
Packers or levelers can be used under the furniture to align the piece
correctly. Over time as the furniture settles into floor coverings it may
become necessary to re-adjust the packers, especially if heavy items are placed
on top of the furniture or the furniture is moved.
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Moving Furniture
Special care must be taken when moving fine furniture to avoid damage.
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Remove all knobs and castors and either place them in an envelope or tape them
inside a drawer so they are close at hand when unpacking.
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Remove adjustable shelves and wrap them separately. Glass shelves or tops
should be removed before moving furniture.
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Close and secure all drawers and doors by covering with a blanket and tying
loosely.
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Protect corners and other projections with padding or foam.
Lift, don't drag or slide furniture as it may bend or break legs. Do not lift
by yourself as you may cause injury to your back.
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Disassemble large cabinets such as entertainment units before relocating.
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Be aware that your furniture may be affected if you move to a different
climatic region.
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