Care & Maintenance

Catalyzed Varnish

Catalyzed varnish is the most commonly used finish in the high-end furniture market. When properly applied and care for, the beauty of your furniture's finish will last for generations. To maintain the beautiful appearance, a few care guidelines must be followed:

• Catalyzed varnish has excellent resistance to foods, beverages and common household chemicals. This finish offers you a very hard, mar-resistant surface, but like any finish may still be scratched or damaged if not cared for properly.
• Your new finish will not achieve its maximum performance properties for at least 30 days from the time the varnish was applied. This is based on maintaining a temperature of at least 70 degrees. 
• Dyes and inks may discolor the finish. Please avoid ink and dyes from newsprint and plastic bags as they may penetrate into the finish when moist.

Furniture Placement

Do not set your table or chairs in front of radiators, heating vents or heating stoves as dry air can causes wood to dry out, therefore leading to warping and/or cracking. 

Ultraviolet Rays

Ultraviolet rays from direct exposure to sunlight or fluorescent light fixtures can causes chemical changes in the wood and finish. Please make sure to regularly move your table and/or draw your curtains to avoid this constant exposure to light.

Humidity

Tables and chairs should be placed in a controlled environment with an indoor humidity range of 35%-45%. If the humidity is not kept within this range, the table or chairs can expand or contract, causing a split in the grain pattern or damage to the joints of the wood panels. Seasonal gapping or minor cracks in the grain pattern are considered normal and are not considered a defect of materials or craftsmanship. 

Clean-up

Clean your table and/or chairs regularly with a soft damp cloth following the grain pattern. You may occasionally clean with a non-alkaline soap. Do not use any other polishes that contain silicone as this can damage the finish. If something is spilled on the furniture, clean-up the spill as soon as possible to avoid damaging the wood and/or finish. Click here for suggestions on furniture cleaners. 

Table Protection

To aid in the protection of your table top, please use placements to avoid extreme heat from warm food or to avoid unnecessary moisture from drinks. You will also want to use hot pads or trivots to avoid direct heat exposure to your table top. 

Table Leaf Storage

If your table leaves are not able to be stored within your table, store your leaves in or close to the table or in a like environment; closet, spare bedroom, etc. Do not store in a damp basement or dry attic. Keep only in a humidity controlled environment between 35% and 45% to avoid any warping.

Resistance Test

Although it is extremely important to avoid spills and to clean them up as soon as they are noticed, as homeowners, we know that spills happen. We do not want you to be afraid to use your table and have therefore conducted our own in house tests to determine the effects of some of the most common household liquids:

*Source: Sunrise Furniture, LTD