Church Pew Refinishing vs. Re-Coating: What’s the Difference?—And Why It Matters.
When it comes to church pew restoration, there’s a big difference between refinishing and re-coating. Understanding that difference can mean the success—or early failure—of your project.
Let’s break it down.
The Greasy Truth About Church Pews
Over the decades, church pews absorb a surprising amount of grease and grime, especially on the top rails and seat surfaces. Think about it: every handshake, every sermon, every Sunday—those hand oils add up.
Here’s what happens:
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Natural hand oils gradually break down existing finishes
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Once the finish is gone, those same hands grind dirt deep into the wood grain
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The surface becomes dirty, sticky, and unable to hold a new topcoat
Trying to fix this with a quick lite sanding and a fresh coat if finish won’t work. Why?
Because you’re not dealing with clean wood—you’re coating over grease and residue.
Why Re-Coating Doesn’t Work Long-Term
Too often, churches turn to "re-coating" as a budget-friendly fix. The idea is simple: just clean the pews lightly and apply a new finish.
But here’s the problem:
A new finish won’t stick to a greasy surface. It’ll stick to you instead.
That’s why pews treated this way often feel tacky and sticky during hot, humid summer days. The new finish doesn’t bond well—and eventually fails.
The Better Way: Proper Pew Refinishing
Real church pew refinishing means doing the hard, detailed work:
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Deep cleaning with gentle solvents
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Removing grease and embedded dirt from the wood grain by hand scrubbing w the grain
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Preserving the patina, not covering it up
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Applying a durable, long-lasting finish that is compatible with hand oils and will stand up to decades of use
No waxes. No gimmicks. No short cuts.
This process takes elbow grease, time, and expertise—but it’s the only way to do it right.
Our Honest Opinion (With Just a Dash of Grumpiness)
We know budgets are tight. We get it. But if your church can’t afford to do the project properly, it’s often better to wait than to waste money on a quick fix that won’t last.
In our humble (and okay, slightly grumpy) opinion:
"Re-coating" dirty pews is 100% wasted money.
Let’s Restore Your Church Pews the Right Way
We're passionate about helping churches bring their historic pews back to life—beautifully, respectfully, and durably.
Let’s make sure your pews don’t just look good—but last for generations.
(Don’t worry. I promise—I’m not always this grumpy.)
