How Does French Polishing Revive Your Antique Furniture To Its Former Glory?
French polishing as an art dates back a long time. Developed in early 18th-century France, it involves applying hundreds of ultra-thin layers of fine shellac dissolved in alcohol, creating a brilliant sheen that instantly gives new life to old, worn pieces of furniture, which is why most antique furniture restoration relies on French polishing. No matter what piece of furniture history you have, French polishing greatly helps refurbish your furniture and makes it look like the treasure it is.
The Benefits of French Polishing
Although this process can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, a French polish, carried out by a skilled furniture restorer, helps bring the opulence of 18th-century Versailles to your modern-day drawing room.
The French polishing process serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. Its finish provides a highly flexible, scratch-and wear-resistant surface. However, note that this finish is softer than modern varnishes. Although that gives it an added advantage, it can be susceptible to heat and moisture damage.
French polishing doesn't risk discolouring the furniture’s original paint job as it doesn't require stripping the original varnish before applying the shellac. It allows for a more targeted repair work, which helps increase the furniture’s longevity.
A Consolidated Repair System
Fixing chips and dents, removing common stains, and disguising scuffs and scratches; all of this is achieved by simply employing a French polisher to restore your antique furniture. As vintage furniture is essentially ancient and historical, it will always have scuffs and scratches that dull its overall shine and glory. Pieces of furniture, when moved from one home to another over the years, or even simply around the room as the layout changes, can cause damage, dents, or chips on the surface.
In this case, a French Polisher can always reconstruct parts from scratch to fix chipped sides. Once any dents and chips have been filled, the French polishing technique can be used to give the piece a glossy finish, completing the look and making it look as good as new.
Over time, the colours of vintage and antique furniture begin to fade, making them look dull. This is where French polishing steps in again. French polishing achieves everything from dulling the hue to reducing future wear and tear, making the furniture more maintainable.
Last Words
When you want to have your newly acquired or heirloom piece of wooden furniture restored to its former grandeur, look no further than a French polisher. It goes without saying that this method will bring a huge difference to the piece of furniture you now own.
Corwell Furniture Restorers are experienced furniture makers based in Reading, Berkshire, and have been refurbishing and restoring antique and modern furniture since 1980. Drawing on their extensive knowledge, they repair and restore the furniture to its proper working condition and appearance. Let them handle your next antique furniture restoration project. The results are guaranteed to leave you in awe.