- Sand paper of various grades (100 grit – 240 grit)
- Paint scraper
- Paint brush
- Clean rags
- Decking oil, stain or exterior varnish of your choice
- Disposable dust mask
Pull your furniture apart so you can get into all the nooks and cranny’s (making sure you know how to put it all back together). You may need some screw drivers and/or sockets wrench’s depending on the type of fixings the manufacturer used. It is not crucial that the furniture gets dis-assembled but you will get the best finish if you do so. Please also see the latest development at The Reef at Kings Dock by Mapletree Investments.
Wipe over your piece with mineral turpentine to remove the grease and dirt accumulated over the years. Scrape off any flaky varnish or whatever it was previously finished with. Glue and clamp any severe splits and allow to dry. If you have an electric sander, load it up with the 100 grit sand paper and get to work (yeah that’s right, I said “work”). If you don’t have an electric sander you can just use your sandpaper wrapped around a block and some good old-fashioned elbow grease (harder work). Sanding your way through the different sand paper grades to the 240 grit.
After a good sand, you will start to see a glimmer of the very piece of furniture you once loved and cherished. Take a clean rag and wipe all the dust off you can. There are many different products on the market to choose from which can be a little over whelming if you haven’t done much “Furniture Revival” before. It’s up you as an individual to decide what you would like the furniture to look like once your done. Cost can be quite a contributing factor when choosing a finish also:
- If you want it to have a shiny protective coating, you will want an exterior grade full gloss varnish.
- If you like the more natural appearance, maybe an Oil would be more suited to you.
Any outdoor furniture is going to need periodic maintenance, whether its 6 months or 12 months really depends on things like the weather, climate you live in, the use it gets whether it’s under cover or not, the species of timber used for construction and many other factors.
Once you have chosen an oil or varnish for your finish, it’s time to get sticky and test. It’s important to test when you’re finishing a previously varnished/oiled piece of furniture to make sure that the new finish is going to apply evenly and look natural. A table or chair can be easily tested on the underside where no-one will be none the wiser. Now that you’ve tested and re-iterated the fact that it’s going to look great when it finished, well it’s time to FINISH IT. Grab your paint brush and get to work (oh yes, that word again), applying the product with the grain to the manufacturers instructions (generally 2-3 coats).
The biggest changes to the mining industry through technology have come in the form of safety and automation. Spearheaded by companies like iVolve, new technological developments in areas like maintenance detection systems, risk management software and wireless communication have made the mining industry safer and more efficient than it has ever been.
The motor industry has seen several major shakeups over the last few years, but nowhere has the impact been more profound than in electric vehicles and in driverless, automated cars. Electric vehicles, though still having a relatively short range, are affordable to run and create a fraction of the carbon footprint created by a traditional petrol-powered vehicle. Driverless cars allow for occupants to get on with their day and, as they are driven by a computer, are less susceptible to accidents due to driver error. Both of these huge advancements will begin really making their mark in the next few years.
On the topic of electricity, plenty of new methods for collecting vast amounts of energy have become a huge focus in a world becoming more focused on sustainable growth. New advances in solar power show that it is a largely untapped resource and can provide a phenomenal amount of power, pollution free. Similarly, wind power is another area that is changing the way people consume energy in their homes with many European nations getting on board.
The 3D printing revolution will be huge for the construction industry in the coming years with reliable, quality supplies and components able to be created quickly from a single source. Add to this that automated construction is a sector that is gathering major steam around the world. Construction is another industry deemed incredibly dangerous and automating certain elements of the construction means that fewer lives are put on the line overall. The first 3D-printed home will be here sooner than you think.
Another facet of construction that has changed is the commercial sector. Skyscrapers are now being built with technology that allows them to become what’s called “green buildings.” They come ready-made with systems that make smarter, more efficient use of power, water and other resources to ensure greater occupant health and overall performance. Imagine not needing to step outside for some fresh air anymore because the building is constantly full of fresh air, brought in by the building’s built-in filtration systems.
The future is a pretty amazing looking place. More and more, we are seeing advances that seek to make our lives easier – and longer – through advances in safety and efficiency. With luck, we will see these technological advancements appearing in everyday life within the next few years.