Question 1

What is wood refinishing?

Accepted Answer

Refinishing is the process of stripping an existing finish off a wood surface, repairing any damage, applying stain if needed, and sealing with a fresh topcoat. It restores the original wood to like-new or better condition — without replacing it. It is not the same as repainting, which covers the wood with a solid color and hides rather than restores the grain.

Question 2

What is dip-stripping, and why don't you do it?

Accepted Answer

Dip-stripping means submerging a door, cabinet, or other wood piece in a caustic chemical tank to remove the finish quickly. The problem: the process raises the wood grain, softens the carved profiles, dissolves the hide glue used in most pre-1960s joinery, and washes out the natural tonal variation in old-growth wood. Pieces come out looking flat and rough, and they hold new finish poorly. We hand-strip every piece. It takes longer. The wood lasts decades instead of a few years — and it stays true to what the original woodworker made.

Question 3

What finishes do you use?

Accepted Answer

Polyurethane — oil-based or water-based, depending on the application. Oil-based polyurethane builds more depth and amber warmth; water-based dries faster and stays clearer. We recommend the right one for each project. We do not use marine varnish, lacquer, shellac, or tung oil. These finishes are not appropriate for architectural woodwork in interior residential or commercial settings.

Question 4

Do you refinish furniture?

Accepted Answer

No. We work exclusively on architectural woodwork — the pieces built into a home or building: doors, cabinets, staircases, built-ins, and millwork. We don't work on freestanding furniture, dining tables, or antiques.

Question 5

What is the "board-up" method?

Accepted Answer

For most door and cabinet projects, we remove the pieces from the home, transport them to our shop, refinish them in a controlled environment, then return and reinstall them. This keeps dust, fumes, and disruption out of your living space and lets us control conditions for a better finish. On-premise work is available when removal isn't practical.

Question 6

Does my home have lead paint?

Accepted Answer

If your home was built before 1978, it almost certainly has lead paint somewhere — in the trim, doors, windows, or cabinets. In St. Louis City, 89.8% of homes were built before 1978. In St. Louis County the number is similarly high. Assume it's there until a certified test says otherwise.

Question 7

Is lead paint dangerous to disturb during refinishing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if handled improperly. Sanding, scraping, or stripping surfaces with lead paint creates lead dust, which is hazardous — especially for children and pregnant women. The EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule requires that any contractor disturbing paint on pre-1978 homes where children or pregnant women live must be certified and follow lead-safe practices.

Question 8

What does EPA Certified Lead Removal mean?

Accepted Answer

Sue Wheeler holds EPA Certified Lead Removal certification. This means she is trained and authorized to perform work on pre-1978 surfaces using the required lead-safe protocols: containment, HEPA vacuuming, wet-sanding methods, proper disposal, and documentation. Every project on a pre-1978 home is fully compliant. You receive a completion record.

Question 9

What happens if I hire someone without EPA certification for a pre-1978 home?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the legal risk to the contractor, the homeowner may bear liability for improper lead work. More practically: lead dust left in your home is a health hazard that doesn't go away on its own. EPA certification isn't a technicality — it's the difference between work that's done safely and work that isn't.

Question 10

How much does wood refinishing cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends significantly on the scope, condition, and type of wood. Staircase refinishing in St. Louis typically ranges from $300 to $1,500+ depending on number of treads, spindle count, and condition. Cabinet refinishing varies by door count and finish type. Door refinishing runs differently for a single front door versus a whole-house door project. We give free estimates. Call (314) 367-6054 and describe what you have — we'll give you a real range before you commit to anything.

Question 11

Is refinishing cheaper than replacing?

Accepted Answer

Almost always, yes — significantly. New kitchen cabinets can run $15,000–$50,000 or more. Refinishing existing solid-wood originals is typically a fraction of that. Staircase replacement runs into the tens of thousands; refinishing runs into the hundreds to low thousands. Beyond cost, replacement loses original wood — old-growth lumber that can't be replicated.

Question 12

Do you offer maintenance contracts for commercial spaces?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For restaurants, bars, hotels, and other commercial spaces, we offer annual and multi-year maintenance agreements that keep woodwork in condition and spread the cost predictably. Ask about our commercial maintenance program.

Question 13

What types of projects do you take on?

Accepted Answer

Doors and door frames · Staircases (treads, risers, spindles, newel posts, railings) · Kitchen cabinets (painted, stained, color-change) · Built-in hutches, buffets, and bookcases · All room millwork (wainscoting, crown molding, baseboards, mantels, chair rail, window trim) · Commercial bar tops, tabletops, and wainscoting · Institutional woodwork (concert halls, churches, universities). We do not do floors, decks, furniture, or exterior siding.

Question 14

How long does wood refinishing take?

Accepted Answer

It varies by project. A single door can be turned around in 2–4 days. A full kitchen cabinet set typically runs 1–3 weeks. A full staircase, depending on scope and number of spindles, can take 2–4 weeks. We'll give you a realistic timeline with your estimate — we don't make promises we can't keep.

Question 15

Do I need to be home during the work?

Accepted Answer

For board-up projects (doors and cabinets taken to our shop), we typically need access to pick up and drop off. For on-premise work, Sue or a crew member will be on-site and will let you know what access is needed. We're flexible — let us know what works.

Question 16

Will there be dust and fumes in my home?

Accepted Answer

Board-up projects (pieces removed to the shop) generate no dust or fumes in your home. On-premise projects involve stripping and finishing chemicals and some sanding — we contain the work area as tightly as possible and use appropriate ventilation. If you have sensitivities or young children, board-up is almost always the better choice and we'll recommend it accordingly.

Question 17

Do you work on commercial properties outside of business hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For restaurants, bars, hotels, and venues, we schedule around your operating hours. If you need bar top work done overnight or on your dark day, we can accommodate that. Reach out and we'll discuss what's possible.

Question 18

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Call (314) 367-6054. Sue will ask about your project, give you a sense of the scope and cost, and schedule a time to see the work in person if needed. The estimate is free and there's no obligation.

Question 19

What does the National Park Service say about refinishing historic wood?

Accepted Answer

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation specifically recommend the 'gentlest method' for removing paint from historic wood: hand-scraping and hand-sanding. Chemical dipping is not recommended and can compromise wood integrity. Sue Wheeler's hand-strip method is compliant with these standards.

Question 20

How do I know if my neighborhood is a historic district?

Accepted Answer

Missouri has both National Register historic districts and locally designated historic districts. Many St. Louis neighborhoods qualify, including the Central West End, Lafayette Square, Compton Heights, Benton Park, and Shaw. See our Historic Preservation page for more details.

Frequently asked questions about wood refinishing.

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