French Polishing A Lost Art Rediscovered
Dec 8, 2014When it comes to maintaining antique furniture, there can be no greater or more aesthetically pleasing method than to employ that which is period-correct and true to the methods of maintenance and repair that was used during the era whereon that piece was created. This, however, is more of the ideal than it is the standard in this day and age, partly due to reasons of practicality and affordability. More so because most techniques employed in bygone eras have either gone out of practice, forgotten, or ultimately because they are too laborious and time-consuming to be profitable in our fast-paced world.
However, nothing beats the time-honored methods of maintenance, especially when it comes to keeping your antiques in tip-top shape, than French Polishing. Thankfully, antique furniture restoration companies are in luck – French polishing, a lost art rediscovered is still alive, well, and in regular use in Australia today. What is French Polishing?
French polishing is a highly meticulous and time-consuming process which involves repeated applications of a shellac-based polishing solution composed of chips of pure shellac dissolved in high-proof grain alcohol. It is applied in even, circular and repetitive motions onto a surface using a semi-abrasive pad lubricated with top grade non-mineral based oil.
French Polishing – The Crème de la Crème of Antique Restoration
French polishing is a very labor-intensive method of antique furniture restoration that involves hours of painstaking manual work comprising the repeated application of the polishing solution. Regular, even circular motion achieves a highly glossy finish that is known for its superior chatoyancy. Polishing in this way has the ability to keep the gloss for long periods of time, even without constant retouching.
Unlike most wax-based polishes available today, French polishing does not result in the eventual buildup of polishing material onto wood surfaces, and thus prevents the clouding of wood grain and the eventual and often unsightly appearance which results from solidified wax, Because it is oil-based, French Polishing techniques helps to prevent the wood from drying out, but it also protects it from minor types of damage, thanks to the shellac.
Truly a lost art rediscovered, it is a rare glimpse at an old practice that thankfully has survived the passage of time. For more information on French polishing and how to go about it, please visit: www.lordsantiques.com.au
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