Care
Twenty minutes a year
Solid wood moves, breathes, and changes color. That is not a defect, it is the reason you bought it. Here is how to help it along.
Everyday cleaning
Dry dusting with a soft cloth, following the grain. For anything greasier, a barely damp cloth and then dry immediately. Never use a spray polish, an all-purpose cleaner, or anything containing ammonia or silicone; silicone in particular makes a piece impossible to refinish later.
Refreshing an oiled finish
Once a year, or whenever the surface starts to look thirsty, wipe on a thin coat of pure tung or hardwax oil with a lint-free cloth, let it sit fifteen minutes, then buff off every bit of excess. If the piece feels tacky the next day, too much was left on; buff harder with a dry cloth. Ask the studio which product went on your piece and it will tell you the exact one.
Light and color change
Cherry darkens, walnut lightens, and oak warms. Direct sun accelerates all of it and can bleach one side of a panel if it sits in a window unevenly. Rotating a piece is not possible on a wall, so hang it out of direct afternoon sun if an even tone matters to you.
Humidity
Aim for 35 to 55 percent relative humidity. Wood panels are built with room to move, but a winter house at 15 percent will open hairline gaps between intarsia pieces that close again in summer. A small humidifier in the room solves it. Never hang a piece directly above a radiator, a wood stove, or a heat register.
Hanging
Every piece ships with hardware fitted and an installation drawing. Anything over eight pounds should land on a stud or a rated anchor, hung from both mounting points so the piece sits flat against the wall. Signs over 24 inches wide use a French cleat; the wall half ships with the piece.
Exterior pieces
Only signs finished with exterior spar varnish belong outdoors, and only under cover. Expect to recoat every two to three seasons. Snow accumulating against the bottom edge is the fastest way to kill an outdoor sign.
Damage and repair
A dent, a scratch, or a water ring is usually repairable, often invisibly. Do not sand it yourself. Email [studio@altkeycreations.com] with a photograph and the studio will tell you whether it is a home fix or worth shipping back. Joinery and finish are covered for the life of the piece.
Questions this did not cover live on the FAQ, or write to the studio directly from the contact page.