Furniture Refinishing

Our furniture refinishing process is a slow delicate process which is all done by hand using years of wood refinishing experience. We’ll deliver very pleasing results.

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We begin by removing the old finish from the furniture. Each layer is gently remove until the old finish is all gone. Your furniture is then allowed to air dry, afterwards it is sanded, stained, finished and rubbed, all done by hand.

We offer several choices of top coats, which is the layer of finish protecting the stain and the wood itself. From old fashion shellac, varnish and wax, to modern top coats of your choice, all with different amounts of sheen to satisfy your individual taste and compliment your furniture. Your furniture is refinished in either matte, satin, semi-gloss, gloss, high-gloss or somewhere in between. If you’re not sure samples are made, with one visit to our workshop you pick the color and sheen to ensure your piece comes out just the way you like it.

We aim to please and ensure that your investment will last for years to come. Only the best of materials are kept in house to deliver optimum results worthy of bearing the Johnson’s name and reputation. A name you can trust because we take the time to do things right the first time. You’ll be amazed at the results. Free pick up and delivery.

We provide furniture refinishing to Maryland, northern Virginia and Washington DC areas.

Furniture Refinishing Services You Can Count On

At Harry C. Johnson & Son Inc., furniture refinishing isn’t a step in a process-it’s our passion. We’ve been hand‑crafting refinished furniture that tells a story for over a century, right here in the Washington, D.C., Maryland & Virginia area. Whether it’s grandma’s dining table or a midcentury dresser, we help your beloved pieces shine again.

Why Choose Us for Furniture Refinishing

  • 100+ years of expertise. Our tradition began in 1906, and we’ve perfected every nuance of woodwork, repairs, and finishes.
  • Local commitment. Operating from Gaithersburg, MD, we proudly serve DC, MD, and Northern VA communities- direct, personal, and dependable.
  • Truly handcrafted results. Everything is done by hands- sanding, stripping, staining, finishing-with an eye for detail and commitment to craftsmanship.
  • Transparent communication. We guide you through every step- from color options to durable top coats- without fluff.
  • Hands‑on delivery. We offer pick‑up and delivery, and even throw in setup- no heavy lifting on your end.

Our Furniture Refinishing Process

  1. In‑depth inspection & quote. While any furniture refinishing, we examine each piece- checking joints, veneers, hardware. You get a detailed estimate upfront.
  2. Professional stripping & sanding. We remove outdated finishes and pre‑treat for dents or gouges using traditional techniques and fillers.
  3. Custom stain & color match. Your vision, your style. Choose from classic mahogany, rich walnut, warm maple, or let us blend a custom tone.
  4. Hand‑applied finishing. Shellac, lacquer, oil, or varnish-we choose the right topcoat for beauty, durability, and long‑term protection.
  5. Final inspection. We don’t send projects out until they pass our rigorous finishing review-smooth, rich, and ready for everyday life.
  6. Pickup, delivery & setup. We treat your home (and furniture) with respect-no mess, on time, and hassle‑free.

Common Furniture Refinishing Services

  • Antique refinishing – Revive aged finishes while respecting the original patina.
  • Modern piece refresh – Bring life back to contemporary furniture with clean, sleek finishes.
  • Partial refinishing – Focused touch‑ups on top surfaces or accents to avoid complete refinishes.
  • Distressing & antiquing – Stylish aging effects for that vintage, “lived‑in” charm.
  • Veneer repair & topping – We fix and match delicate veneers for seamless results.
  • Custom finish projects – Got a special request? We do unique stains, finishes, or textures by hand.

Types of Furniture We Refinish

At Harry C. Johnson & Son Inc., furniture refinishing isn’t limited to a specific style or era. Over the years, we’ve worked on just about every type of furniture you can imagine. Some pieces come to us as family heirlooms. Others are vintage market finds or everyday favorites that just need a second life. Here’s a look at the kinds of pieces we most often refinish:

  • Dining Tables & Chairs – Whether it’s a full set or a single chair, we restore the finish and protect against future wear.
  • Dressers & Bedroom Sets – From antique dressers to modern nightstands, our furniture refinishing process brings back their natural beauty.
  • Coffee Tables & Side Tables – These see daily use and it shows. We sand out scratches, repair watermarks, and refinish by hand.
  • Desks & Bookcases – For home offices, vintage finds, or family heirlooms, we restore pieces to their former elegance.
  • China Cabinets & Hutches – Delicate glasswork, intricate trims, and fine wood- refinished with care and precision.
  • Benches, Consoles & Accent Pieces – Even small items deserve attention. We make sure they look their best again.

If it’s made of wood and matters to you, we’ll take it on. Every project gets the same attention to detail- big or small.

A Word from Our Clients

“They picked up the pieces, told me the cost and return date, and delivered in perfect condition… It looks better than new! And the original finish is still there.”

We don’t just refinish-we preserve your furniture’s story.

Ready to Bring Your Furniture Back to Life?

Let’s talk details. Send us a few photos or bring your piece to our Gaithersburg workshop. We’ll give you a no‑pressure estimate, explain options, and tackle your project on a timeline that works for you.

some FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Will refinishing hurt the value of my item ?
      It depends on several factors: Age, Origin, Maker, Provenance , Pedigree, Condition. In very general and loose terms, if your item is just aged and old there probably is no value to be concerned about. On the other hand, if you have a Fine Antique that has not been disturbed for the past Century, then you may have good reason to be concerned and the best thing is to Restore the old finish.
    • What is French Polish ?
      It is basically Shellac.Thinned and applied by hand with a rag ball, rubbed to a High Gloss.
    • Is Lacquer always shiny and glossy ?
      No. Lacquers are made in several different sheens: Gloss,Semi-Gloss,Satin and Matte or Dull.
    • What’s the difference between Restoring the finish and Refinishing ?
      When you ask for refinishing: the item is stripped down to bare wood. When you ask for the finish to be Restored, the old finish is not removed.
    • What causes White spots on my Dining Table and how can I remove them ?
      White spots on the finish are commonly caused by placing either a cold or hot item on a top. If the damage is on the outermost layer of finish, it can be rubbed out, if it’s under the top coat, the best solution may be to strip and refinish. Rubbing Compound will remove some of the finish along with the white cloudy spot, the whole top has to be rubbed.
    • Can Veneered furniture be refinished ?
      Yes, only the old finish is removed, and then the piece should be sanded by hand.
    • What kind of damage is produced by Dipping furniture to remove old finishes ?
      Discoloration, Glue Joints fail, Veneers lift and bubble, Warpage, ,Cracking, Moisture loss , Corrosion and more. It should be avoided.