Special Touch Finishing has served the Washington DC Metropolitan area including Fairfax and Prince William County Virginia with trusted and experienced furniture refinishing.  With long time family ties in the Metropolitan area, Chris Clark has resided and worked in the area since 1983 with personal woodworking experience since 1976.

Key projects of interest include such distinguished locations as:

It is not uncommon for restoration work to be done on-site to ensure proper services.  Special Touch Finishing will come to the property as needed.  Special Touch Finishing specializes in hand rubbed finishes with customer color matching, staining, and finishing of fine wood and architectural millwork.

Restoration Work Repair Work Water Damage Repair Professional Refinishing of all Wood Furniture Residential / Commercial / Government Licensed PPB (Home Based Repair for Personal and Business Service) Can Comply with Agency or personnel requirements for security clearance, if needed. Green Finishes Special Touch Finishing is conscious of the hard elements used in many types of restoration work. We use green finishes that are latex based with environmentally friendly finishes and a water based system. Commercial Property Work Special Touch Finishing has a long list of satisfied and repeat customers in the hospitality industry. Regular maintenance and Hotel furniture touch ups can be done as needed or on a contract basis. See our Testimonials page for just a few of the compliments we have received. Do you have an inspection coming up? Look to us for all your furniture needs. We offer one time yearly furniture touch ups for most rooms as low as $44.95/room. That is less than $.13 a day to keep your patrons' rooms looking great and less than the cost of one night's stay.

Consider Service For:

• Your hotel lobby
• Front Desk
• Wood Finishes on Elevators
• Hotel Room Furniture
• All Wood Finishes

With over 23 years experience in business and residential refinishing, we can address any of your wood furniture refinishing needs.

The methods of care for historical or valuable antique furniture have changed over the years. Antique furniture should not be cared for or repaired in the same manner as modern home furnishings.  The use of polishes, adhesives, fasteners and finishes can dramatically affect the current and future value of such pieces.

Environment

UV light is damaging to antique furniture. Sunlight can degrade early finishes, wood and fabrics. Antique furniture should be placed out of direct sunlight, and curtains or shades should be used to diffuse or block sunlight when possible. Clear finishes can yellow or turn opaque from the exposure to sunlight.

Likewise, avoid placing your antique furniture in front of heating and air conditioning vents, radiators, fireplaces or stoves. The heat can cause shrinking that can loosen glue joints, veneers, inlays and marquetry.

Your antique furniture is also affected by the amount of moisture in the air. Changes in humidity can cause wood to contract and expand. This can cause glue joints to loosen, doors and drawers to become stuck in their opening.

Extended periods of high humidity can lead to mold growth, rot and insect infestation.  The use of a humidifier or dehumidifier is recommended to help maintain the relative humidity and minimize the adverse effects that moisture can have on your valuable antique furniture.

Cleaning and Polishing

The idea that antique furniture needed to be fed with oil to keep from drying out is a myth. Wood does not dry out from the lack of oil but rather from the lack of moisture. As such, storage in hot dry areas such as an attic should be kept to a minimum.  Furniture oils will temporarily enhance the finish and appearance, but can contribute to the degradation of the finish over time as oils leave a residue that can attract dust and dirt build up.

Handling and Moving

When moving your antique furniture you should check for loose or damaged joinery. Chairs should always be carried by the seat rails as opposed to the back splat, top rail or arms. Tables should be carried by the apron or legs instead of the top which could pull loose from the base. Large pieces should always be lifted and never dragged across the floor.

When transporting your antique furniture it's best to first remove shelves, doors and drawers. Protect glass doors with moving blankets or other adequate padding. Large items should be transported on their back or top, preferably their back.

Marble tops should be removed and transported vertically. A marble top transported laying flat can crack easily. Mirrors and glass should also be transported and stored vertically.

Refinishing

The finish found on historic furniture is as important as the furniture piece itself. Stripping and refinishing removes the original finish coating and damages the patina as well. Once removed, it can never be recovered. Patterns of wear indicating the history of use are also lost during refinishing.

The appearance of antique furniture can be enhanced without damaging the existing finish. Many antiques increase in value after the proper restoration or complete refinishing and repair. Consulting a restoration expert like Special Touch Finishing prior to treating your antiques will help preserve what only time can produce. Maintaining the original aged finish should be the primary consideration.

As always, it's best to err on the side of caution when considering a course of treatment or repairs to your antique furniture. If you believe you might possess a piece with significant historical value or provenance, it's best to consult a licensed appraiser for values and conservator for any repairs or restoration.

Licensed, Insured and 24-hour Emergency Service.

References Available.  Please see some testimonials.

Special Touch Finishing proudly serves the entire Metropolitan Washington DC and Northern Virginia area including Manassas City, Prince William County, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria City and all points in between such as Ashburn, Catlett, Centreville, Chantilly, Dale City, DC, Leesburg, Lorton, McLean, Merrifield, Montclair, Oakton, and probably where you live as well. Customers travel to bring their precious furniture to us for the kind of work we perform. We hope to be there for you as well.