French Polishing
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French Polishing is a term typically applied to the
cosmetics of antique furniture, but is only one
particular surface finishing process, involving
specialised application of liquid shellac. In reality
a finish may be an oil, a wax, or a gum or resin
based varnish or lacquer, or a mixture of these,
having been over- or re- polished during its life.
Halford Restorations undertakes all aspects of
traditional furniture finishing, with an understanding
of finishes of different periods and a consideration
for the patina, colour, sheen and feel of a
surface.
Please use the contact us button if you have an
inquiry about a cosmetically damaged piece, whether it
is polished timber, or a painted, lacquered, japanned
or gilded item.
The best policy is usually to retain and enhance
existing finishes, using various processes to revive a
degraded polish, remove or disguise stains and
blemishes, colour match repairs and return clarity and
sheen to reveal the beauty of the wood.
When an old coating is beyond recovery, or if a
missing part is reinstated, then the complete
finishing process is required, along with reinstating
lost patina.
The patina is the generally acceptable and desirable
development of signs of a pieces age and use.
Consisting of accrued surface imperfections and
development of polish characteristics and timber
colour, oxidization, burnishing and accumulation of
dirt and various coatings. Such characteristics takes
the full age of the piece and is very difficult to
reproduced, you must not be easily persuaded to opt
for a complete re-finish, but neither must you be
scared to have the piece cleaned or revived, as this
can help conserve the existing polish.
Below are some examples of various polishing projects.
Generally including pieces requiring more significant
work.
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