Product Care

Welcome to the Products Care Page

On this page we will discuss a few important steps and guidelines that will lengthen your furnitures lifespan.

We will go over the following (click links below to jump to that section):

Whiskey Barrel Chair in Cleveland Art

NOTE: These are mainly helpful tips that we have learned to work well. Please understand reclaimed material can react differently in other environments and we can not guarantees the outcome and longevity. Results will vary.

Best place to keep and store

Whiskey Barrels For SaleAs you may know Wine and Whiskey Barrels are made from French, American and Hungarian White Oak. The material is very durable and rot resistant, hence why they are used by wineries and distilleries for the past century. However sticking the furniture outdoors and just for getting about them just simply won’t do. If you want to protect your investment and keep them around for decades to come they’ll need your help.

The first and most important information you’ll learn is that the sun will do the most damage. The UV rays will age the appearance rapidly turning the wood gray. The constant exposure will also dry the material causing splitting and cracking. It is in your best interest to keep your purchase in shaded areas. If you place the furniture in shaded but non-covered area, excessive rain can be a problem. Too much moisture is not ideal for any kind of outdoor furniture. But believe it or not a little bit of moisture is okay, it will keep the wood hydrated between maintenance. Bottom line is: the best place would be in covered and shaded areas or indoors away from big bay windows.

Basic Maintenance

When its time to re-oil be sure to do it when its sun down or in a shaded place. Oil can and will dry on the top surface when exposed to major heat. If you need to do a light sanding to re-smoothen a certain piece, use a 150 grit sandpaper in the direction of the wood grain.  Once you wiped or brushed on your product, let it sit for about 15 – 20 minutes allowing it to get absorbed into the wood which protects your item from the inside out. Soon as the 15 – 20 minutes are up, wipe away any excess oil thoroughly. Once this is all done let dry over night or for a day before use. Re-oiling once a month is ideal or when you notice water droplets not beading up on the surface. Don’t forget to do maintenance indoors as well. It won’t have to be as frequent but still necessary.

What products to use

We at the Hungarian Workshop use Penofin Exterior Hardwood Formula, which is a combination of Brazilian Rosewood Oil and other high end ingredients. It works very well and leaves the barrel’s natural color without alteration. You can find this product at Dixiline and on the internet.

Other woodworkers have used Teak Oil, Tung Oil or Boiled Linseed Oil. If you like to know more about different products browse the internet and you’ll find plenty of blogs and discussion forums on this subject. See what works for you and your location best. For indoor use simple mineral oil with beeswax is great. Available at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Replacing parts if needed

If you find that a certain piece has broken not to worry, we can always send you a replacement one. Just let us know which part it is with a few photos and measurements. Although be aware that you’ll most likely need access to some tools and a drill. We can send any hardware and component you might require for a small fee.

Varnish clear coating options

Whiskey Barrel Bench by Hungarian WorkshopWe do not like to use varnish finishes because it takes away from the product in a sort of way. To me, a glossy shinny finish just don’t look right when it comes to rustic furniture. However if you do decide to go this route, be sure to do some research and find out which one will work best for you. If I had to recommend an idea, I would say use a Marine grade varnish with a Satin finish. But since I don’t work with varnishes unfortunately I can not be more help in this matter.

When applying the varnish you must cover every nook and crevice. Leaving certain part exposed will allow the wood to dry and become weak.  A new layer should be applied once a year or when you notice peeling, fading or thinned out layers.

If any issues should occur after you apply any sort of clear coat please be aware we can NOT be held responsible for the reaction of the material. As varnish drys it will shrink a bit and cause warping.

If you have any other questions please check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us via email through our website.

Thanks for stopping by the Hungarian Workshop and if you purchased an item from us I thank you for your support and in helping a small business grow!

-Balazs Moldovan

 

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