FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As our pieces are made-to-order, we will contact you and inform you of the production time upon receiving your order. Availability can be anywhere between 7-60 days, depending on item, volume and current workload in the workshop except for the Ishinomaki Kits (Bird, Koala and the Kōsaku) which are available on hand.
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Ishinomaki Laboratory made in the Philippines uses unfinished teak, larch, western red cedar, and tanguile/meranti for its wooden products.
Teak, larch, and western red cedar are known for being durable regarding decay resistance making them suitable for ourdoor furniture. Tanguile/meranti, however, is recommended for indoor use only.
Like other wood products, ours is also vulnerable to dents and scratches. Because the wood is unfinished, light embellishments can be removed by rubbing over the affected area with fine sandpaper, making sure to move along the grain of the wood. Dents can be raised by applying a few drops of water to the affected area, and then letting the wood dry. While scratches, dents and knots in the wood may be viewed as imperfections, we believe that this is part of the natural wear-and-tear process and that they act as valuable contributions to the character of the wood. Over time, the color and structure of the wood may change and will become more beautiful as aging brings out its natural patina, ensuring that no two pieces of our furniture are totally alike.
If you would like to clean your piece, please use a mild detergent and water, gently scrubbing with a damp cloth. Do not use pressure-washing techniques as this can damage the wood surface fibers. Please protect your product from abrasion and stains. If the furniture comes in contact with liquids such as coffee and wine, the pigment may be absorbed and leave a stain that will take more effort to remove.
Our products in teak, larch, western red cedar and European white oak are suitable for use outside in a lightly shaded place, however, in its unfinished state, the wood will age over time to an attractive silver-grey patina - a no-maintenance look preferred by many. If left in a damp area over a long period of time it may become discolored. All our products intended for exterior applications will require a regular degree of maintenance to keep their beautiful, natural look. Even if there is no finish applied, outdoor contaminants such as dirt and mildew should be removed as part of routine maintenance.
As our products are made out of wood, a live material that stretches and shrinks, minimal measurement changes may take place occasionally. Crafted entirely by hand, each item we make is unique due to the natural variation of the wood grains, the range of colors the same specie of wood comes in, with each piece aging differently depending on how it is used and on the conditions of its environment - all adding to its charm and character over the years.