Signs Your Furniture Needs Repolishing (And How to Make a Fresh Coat Last)

Wood polish does not wear away all of a sudden, but slowly and silently until one day you realize that the glossy surface of the dining table is not as bright as it was, or your wardrobe’s doors stick while opening. However, in Delhi NCR’s climate, wood polish will start fading much faster than expected.

Below are the steps you should follow in order to know if your furniture needs professional polishing, as well as tips on how to maintain your newly polished furniture for years to come.

Why Delhi NCR Furniture Wears Out Faster

It is not only an aesthetic finish; rather, it is also a protective layer. However, this protective layer faces tough conditions in these regions. The summers are very hot, reaching temperatures higher than 45 degrees centigrade, drying up the wood. Moreover, high moisture levels due to the monsoons make it swell, while in winters, the dust abrades it. It is subjected to a continuous cycle of swelling and contraction, which is more harmful than the steady climatic conditions that would otherwise apply.

Signs It’s Time to Repolish

One does not have to wait for the finish to completely deteriorate in order to call a professional. The following symptoms indicate an urgent need for refinishing:

• Loss of shine and color even after washing

• Touching gives a sticky sensation to the wood; typical of doors and tabletops

• Cracks in the form of fine lines, or "spider-web" pattern

• Cloudy or whitish areas caused by penetration of moisture below the finish

• Flaking of the coating around door, drawers, wardrobe panels

• Water stains indicating that moisture has managed to penetrate the protective barrier

• Roughness and unevenness in places where there was smoothness

All these symptoms generally indicate that protective coating in this area has deteriorated, and dust or moisture is now penetrating the bare wood.

Why Ignoring It Costs More Later

A weathered polish film is not only an aesthetic problem. As soon as the protective coating starts wearing off, the naked wood gets affected by the humidity fluctuations in Delhi. This is where problems such as warping, swelling of doors that cannot be closed or, in the worst case scenario, fungal attacks caused by moisture retained by the wood appear. If to act immediately upon appearance of any sign of wear, repolishing can easily be done. Repairing the wood and then polishing it becomes much more complicated and time-consuming task.

How to Make a Fresh Polish Last Longer

The few simple practices below will ensure that you extend the life of your polished furniture:

• Do not let any water touch the coat for at least 48 hours after polishing

• Clean up spills right away, don’t let water or other liquids remain on the surface

• Always use coasters and placemats to protect the surface from hot mugs and wet glasses

• Dust the furniture daily with a soft dry cloth instead of accumulating dust on it, which would act as an abrasive

• Try to avoid placing the furniture directly in the sunlight because the UV rays fade the polish faster

• Manage the levels of humidity wherever possible, even a small humidifier can help minimize the expansion and contraction

• Polish the surface every 2–3 years as a precautionary measure, especially doors and kitchen shutters

These things do not take much time or effort, but this is what ensures a good look and finish of your polish for years and not during every monsoon.

Get a Free Furniture Assessment →