Business Details
44 Years
experience
Expert Furniture Refinishing & Restoration Services
Founded in 1982 by Margery Smith and Rita Wagner, our company has dedicated over four decades to preserving the legacy of fine furniture through meticulous refinishing, restoration, and repair. Our expertise spans stripping, staining, custom finishes, and intricate repairs for antiques and modern pieces alike. With locations in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to breathe new life into cherished items. Our team of skilled professionals adheres to rigorous standards, offering personalized consultations and a 100% guarantee on all work.We pioneered Kitchener-Waterloos only consignment furniture store, Bits & Pieces, to promote sustainability by extending the lifecycle of quality furnishings. Our 35+ years of experience and hands-on training programs ensure consistent excellence across all services, including insurance claim restorations and specialty finishes for architectural elements.
Services
Furniture Stripping
Staining Services
Antique Restoration
Veneer Repair
Custom Finishes
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of specialized furniture refinishing expertise
- Personalized consultations with hands-on demonstrations
- 100% satisfaction guarantee on all restoration work
- Eco-conscious practices through furniture reuse initiatives
- Certified professionals for insurance claim restorations
Services
Furniture Stripping
We employ liquid and semi-paste strippers for precise furniture restoration. Our process includes disassembly, safe chemical application, and surface preparation for subsequent staining or finishing. Clients may opt for DIY strip-only services with professional guidance.
Staining Services
Custom staining solutions tailored to wood type and desired aesthetics. We demonstrate color options directly on stripped surfaces, using hand-application techniques to ensure even coverage and grain enhancement for both antique and modern furniture.
Antique Restoration
Specialized restoration for vintage and antique furniture, including veneer repair, spindle recreation, and historically accurate finish matching. Our methods preserve original construction techniques while addressing structural damage and wear.
Veneer Repair
Comprehensive veneer restoration addressing chipping, bubbling, and moisture damage. We match wood species and patterns to replace damaged sections while maintaining the original aesthetic integrity of fine furniture pieces.
Custom Finishes
We offer oil finishes, brass lacquering, and UV-protected exterior coatings. Our team applies multiple lacquer layers for durable finishes on pianos, architectural elements, and specialty items requiring unique protective treatments.
People
Margery Smith
Co-Founder
Co-founded The Strippers in 1982 after discovering her passion for furniture restoration. With over 35 years of experience, she specializes in antique preservation and developed the company's signature consultation process for complex restoration projects.
Rita Wagner
Co-Founder
Co-founder with Margery Smith since 1982, Rita established the company's training programs and quality control systems. She pioneered the creation of Bits & Pieces Furniture & Dcor to promote sustainable furniture reuse in the Waterloo region.
Questions
How can I determine if my furniture is worth refinishing?
Our free Consumer Guide helps assess furniture value through construction quality analysis, wood type identification, and market comparisons to determine if refinishing is more cost-effective than replacement.
Do you handle insurance claim restorations?
Yes, we work directly with homeowners on fire, flood, and vandalism claims. As an accredited restoration specialist, we guide clients through the insurance process while maintaining original furniture integrity.
Can you match specific paint or stain colors?
We demonstrate color options directly on stripped surfaces using multiple stain types. While exact matches depend on wood grain, we guarantee satisfaction with our color selection process.
What specialty finishes do you offer?
We provide oil finishes for teak, brass lacquering, UV-protected exterior coatings, and multi-layer lacquer systems for musical instruments. Our team also recreates historical finishes for antique preservation.
Do you offer pickup and delivery services?
Yes, we provide scheduled pickup/delivery for large furniture items using our professional movers. This service includes proper disassembly and reassembly of complex pieces like dining sets and cabinetry.
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