When we first started manufacture here in Whitchurch all of our commissions were in keeping with traditional bespoke furniture and painted by hand. Using the techniques of the early coach painters we developed a superior and hard wearing finish.
 Styles and fashion are ever changing and a smoother look to the paint finish was appearing in magazines and at Kitchen Exhibitions, such as the NEC in Birmingham.  Adjusting to demand we invested in state of the art spray guns and equipment and have for the past two years predominately used a hard wearing two pack spray finish for our furniture. ​

Preparation

Whether you choose Sprayed or Hand Painted the key factor to a stunning paint finish is the preparation of the substrate.  Before our furniture goes into the paint room each component is put through our duel roller drum sander at 120 & 150 grit to ensure that the surface is perfectly flat.
For the next stage we use a random orbital hand sander starting at 120 grit to remove drum sander marks.  Followed by three applications through grades 150,180 and 240.  A final hand sanding with a soft pad paying attention to the chamfers and it is ready for the undercoat.
When the undercoat is dry it will be flattened again working up to 400 grit.  Now it is ready for it's mid coat.  Before the final top coat is applied the piece should only need a gentle hand de nib with a very ingenious piece of kit made especially by Festool for the job.

Hand Painted or Spray Painted?

The choice is yours and up to individual taste and we still offer both options.
​We have listed below some of the main advantages and disadvantages for both.

Spray Painting ~ Advantages & Disadvantages

​A more uniform finish, sharper more contemporary look.
Very quick drying time.
Less labour intensive and therefore not as costly for the client.
Higher risk of damage to the finish whilst constructing and fitting.
Not easy to touch up well in situ so furniture has to be removed and taken back to the workshop for respray rectification.
Finish can lean towards a plastic like appearance and feel.
There may be a very slight orange peel effect on some finishes.

Hand Painting ~ Advantages & Disadvantages

Softer look that some feel is synonymous with high end bespoke furniture.
Easy to touch up in clients home causing minimal disruption.
Slightly enhanced shade and colour retention. Looks more 3D due to visibility of brush strokes.
Wear and tear marks are less visible due to thicker brush application.
​Possibly longer time between re paints once fitted in the home. 
Correct application is labour intensive.
Drying times between coats range between 24 to 48 hours depending on time of year which delays the finished furniture.
Labour insensitivity increases the cost to the client.

Painted & Lacquered Wood Furniture Care

Our paint finishes and lacquers are very durable and will last many years.  They only require a wipe with a damp cloth to remove any normal staining.  For heavy staining on painted surfaces use warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth.  Please do not use products with a bleach base as they eat though the paint and permanently damage the finish.  Your furniture will have been allowed to harden at our premises for a minimum of 2 days after the final coat. ​ However, please note that it takes 21 days for an oil based/cellulose hand painted finish to fully cure and harden. We would advise that you take extra care of your furniture during this period.

For a spray application we offer Pre Cat and A/C lacquers which are clear and pigmented. It is not advisable to use wax containing polishes as they can very quickly cause a build-up of wax residues on the lacquered surface which will become embedded with dust and dirt and result in a grubby appearance.  these wax residues can also alter the degree of sheen of the lacquered surface. i.e. matt finishes can become glossy.

A/C lacquers are formulated for use on surfaces which require a high level of performance and resistance to chemical degradation, primarily form household chemicals such as tea, coffee, perfume, blackcurrant, red wine and nail varnish remover and physical damage such as scratches, impar marking and adhesin.  They are able to meet the performance requirements FIRA standard 6250 Horizontal Surfaces (excluding kitchen worktops), Severe Use.  Typical areas of use would include office furniture, contract furniture and kitchens.