DEFINITION of TERMS & PROJECT CONDITIONS

Definition of Terms

STRIPPING means using chemical paint and varnish removers, scrapers, steel wool and scrub brushes to soften and remove all finish down to the bare wood.
PREPARATION means rough sanding, patching, bleaching, fine scraping, and fine sanding to make the woodwork ready for finishing.
FINISHING means to apply stains, glazes, sealers and topcoats to the wood surface. We sand between coats of finish and use pigmented and dye stains for coloring. Finish can be varnish, shellac, oil, lacquer or waterborne coatings, and may be applied by rags, brush or spray.
CLEAN AND RECOAT means using solvents that do not soften the finish to clean its surface; sanding, color glazing; spot coloring, and topcoating with an appropriate finish.
DETAILING means the final "fine tuning" after all masking is removed and all wood edges are fully exposed. It can include color touch ups, color caulking , waxing and polishing.


Project Conditions

1. We mask all areas adjacent to the woodwork being refinished; we use 4 mil poly, rosin paper, and 1/8" hardboards to protect floors, 1 mil poly to protect walls. We secure these materials using, "no lift" blue tape, metal tape, and duct tape. While the great expanse of floor and wall will not be affected, sometimes the area immediately next to the woodwork will, about 1/2-1", it may require repainting this area, or recoating flooring.
2. Sometimes, the existing wall paint will have poor adhesion and large pieces will lift off when we remove the masking materials. This is something you or your painter will have to deal with.
3. On many old walls, the original plaster will wrap over onto the woodwork. We normally will scrape this plaster off to expose the wood surface so we may finish it; this means there may be a gap between wall and wood which is something you would need to deal with.
4. We occasionally find old repairs done with plaster to fill in gaps and seams in the wood. These will generally NOT be removed, but be colored in to match the surrounding finish.
5. We fill obvious nail holes, gaps and gouges with wood putty or caulk, but won't attempt to fill every blemish or depression in the wood. We won't remove existing nails or screws, except to remove hardware. We will remove from work surface any cable, telephone, or bell wire or device, and either reinstall it at completion or discard it if not needed.
6. We will usually perform simple carpentry repairs that may come up after uncovering the wood; however, any more extensive repairs will be discussed and billed separately.
7. Because of the nature of old wood, there may be variations in color or distinct discolorations, that staining will not improve.We can bleach and/or rough sand these areas, but please know that we cannot always eliminate them.
8. We will move and protect furniture and accessories, either to another room or to the center of the room being worked. If you have a preference as to how this is done, please let us know.
9. The progression of work is masking, stripping, prep, staining, sealing, color glazing, and topcoating. We then remove all masking materials and perform detail touch-ups where necessary. If you have any questions or are curious about any step, please don't hesitate to ask.
10. As a rule, all surfaces that are or may be exposed to outside elements will be finished with marine varnish with UV blockers.

You may contact East End Woodstrippers by email, by phone or by mail, as follows:

mailing address:  East End Woodstrippers, 27 Glenmere Way, Holbrook, NY 11741
telephone number:  631-472-5206

Your removable architectural woodwork can be stripped in shop, for less. Call our affiliate company, Park Slope Paint Strippers, for FREE curbside pickup & delivery in New York City at 718-783-4112 (minimums apply).