CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Care and Maintenance

Our furniture is easy to care for and maintain by adhering to these simple points. Light gradually causes all wood to mellow in colour as the patina grows deeper and more lustrous. To ensure your furniture mellows evenly we recommend that objects are moved occasionally. Protective mats should be placed under all items to avoid the possibility of heat or water rings, sustained light damage or surface scratches. Avoid placing keys and bags, or items with sharp edges on furniture tops, even temporarily as they may scratch the top. For light scratches touch-up pens are available to purchase from our web site.

Dust using a soft lint-free dry cloth in the direction of the grain. To remove dirt wipe with a soft lint-free cloth wrung out in warm water. Dry thoroughly with a soft lint-free dry cloth in the same direction as the grain. A very weak solution of pure soap washing up liquid in the water may be used for more stubborn marks or grease. Spills of any kind should be wiped clean as soon as possible. Never use any product with a silicon-base or other spray polishes when cleaning. Do not use polishes containing wax as these will create a build up of residue on the lacquered surface. This attracts dust and dirt which can make the furniture appear dirty. Wax residues can also alter the degree of sheen on the surface i.e. matt finishes may appear glossy.

Paint

The lacquer used, unless otherwise stated on the Confirmation of Order is AC Lacquer, in a matt and or gloss finish. Acid-cat Lacquer is a high build, fast-drying top coating system meeting requirements of FIRA standard 6250:2005 for horizontal surfaces and carries a heavy/severe use rating. The lacquer used on your furniture achieves full resistance properties after 21 – 28 days drying, although careful use of the furniture is possible before this period.

If ordering furniture with a glass top (to be supplied) we recommend glass tops are not placed onto the furniture until one month after the furniture has been received. This ensures the lacquer has fully hardened and reached all of its protective properties. If glass is placed on top of it too early then it may cause the lacquer to sweat, resulting in possible damage to the wood finish. The item can be stripped and re–lacquered but at the client’s expense. (This caution only applies to glass that is being fully supported. An inset piece of glass will not have the same issues). Organic solvents, such as fingernail polish and remover, perfumes, and alcoholic drinks can behave as paint and varnish removers on lacquer if not promptly wiped up when spilt.

All glass supplied by Gerard Lewis Designs is toughened to British Standards. Mirror glass used as an embellishment detail within an item of furniture is safety backed or glued in place.

Handling

Always lift and never slide or shunt furniture to move it. Dragging any furniture can damage the joints and loosen the fixings.

Doors & Drawers

All doors are hung in alignment upon leaving the factory however in time they may need adjusting. For more information please go to our web site www.gerardlewisdesigns.com/videos.

Environment

Wood absorbs and desorbs water as relative humidity rises and falls, and in doing so it swells and shrinks. It will also expand and contract unequally along different grain directions. To lessen the effect of changes in humidity and temperature the room in which the furniture is kept needs to be controlled to prevent adverse shrinkage and movement and to maintain the stability of your furniture.