Wood is good. Not only is wood one
of the most popular materials for furniture, it's also one of
the most environmentally responsible. And at McKinnon, we know
a lot about wood. For answers to some interesting wood questions,
just click below.
Your McKinnon furniture has been finished
with a hand rubbed oil finish and top coated with a hand rubbed
polyurethane. The oil finish is absorbed into the wood, and will
become part of the wood. Dining table tops are coated with a
catalyzed conversion varnish, which forms a very hard and durable
coating. (See Dining Tables Section).
Water and heat can be damaging to the finish
and the wood. Take care to protect your furniture by using coasters,
trivets, place mats, and hot pads at all times. Wipe up any spills
immediately.
To care for your furniture, dust regularly
with a clean cloth. We will provide a bottle of furniture polish
which you may use to keep the furniture looking fresh and to
cover any hairline scratches. You do not need to polish the furniture
on a regular basis. However, if your furniture begins to look
dry, you may use the furniture polish to refresh the finish.
This polish may be wiped on with a cotton cloth, and then completely
wiped dry. Please do not use commercially available lemon
oil or orange oil, as these may harm the finish.
The McKinnon furniture polish may take care
of minor scratches and marks. If your furniture becomes damaged,
we will be happy to talk to you about the best way to repair
the damage.
McKinnon Furniture offers an in-home oil service. For a small fee, our craftspeople
will come to your home to refresh the finish on your furniture. Please call
the woodshop at (206) 768-2484 with any questions about our finish, or to arrange
for an in-home oil service.
Special Finish for Dining Tables
At the request of our customers, McKinnon Furniture had been searching for a more durable finish for our dining table tops. While we have always liked the silky smooth feel of a hand rubbed oil finish, it doesn’t always offer enough protection against damage caused by the kind of use most dining tables receive.
At last we have found a finish that will provide more protection, but will still have a smooth feel and still allow the wood to age naturally. It is a Sherwin Williams product called KemVar, a conversion varnish that is catalyzed for a harder finish. The finish is sprayed on and has a lustrous sheen. It is resistant to moisture, chemicals and organic solvents, and creates a much harder surface finish.
We performed some informal tests at our wood shop and found the KemVar to be quite durable. It seems to be impervious to hot tea, coffee, cola, and water left on the surface for several hours. We have put hot plates directly on the surface, and spilled food on it without apparent damage. We do not recommend this kind of abuse, of course, but it does persuade us that KemVar will be what our customers have asked for: a more lasting finish for everyday use of dining tables.
Effective June 27, 2005, the KemVar finish became the standard finish on all of our dining tables. If you would prefer an oil finish, please specify when ordering. The price is the same for both finishes.
If you have a McKinnon dining table with an oil finish and would like the KemVar added, please let us know. The cost is $400 plus delivery charges, and you can expect to be without your table for two to three weeks. To make arrangements, please contact Karinne Appel at the wood shop (Monday - Friday 206-768-2484) or e-mail her at mfg@mckinnonfurniture.com.
We are continually trying to improve our products and processes. We appreciate the feedback we receive from customers and hope you will continue to let us know how we can make our furniture work better for you.
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