Romford-based Abbey Antiques offers a specialised French polishing service for our Essex customers. Beautiful antique furniture is worth the absolute best care, and we ensure our French polishing service brings the true beauty out in your treasures. Antique pieces should be displayed with pride, and therefore require care and maintenance.
Perhaps you are an avid collector of antique furniture, or maybe you have inherited a precious piece and wish to ensure it is looked after correctly. For French polishing in and around Essex, look no further than Abbey Antiques.
Our expert team of furniture restorers work with antique pieces for both residential and commercial customers across Essex. Our extensive knowledge and experience enable us to let the natural beauty of your antique piece shine through.
What Exactly Is French Polishing?
French polishing is a technique that involves applying layers of a resin, called shellac, onto the wood surface. This process is performed to protect the furniture and maximise its full beauty. It is a lengthy process which requires the careful application of many layers by hand. Our skilled team have this down to a fine art.
To achieve a high-gloss, glass-smooth surface with a deep depth that elegantly accentuates the grain of the wood, French polishing involves applying multiple thin layers of shellac to wood furniture, musical instruments, or ornamental accents. Because to its labour-intensive procedure, French polish has fallen out of popularity since the 1600s.
Tempting as it may be, a true French polish finish requires no sprays, brushes, or sponges. The same goes for new hard-and-shiny wood sealers like polyurethane. Instead, a cotton dabber and a few additional items will be used to apply the shellac.
Shellac, a material generated by the lac bug, an Asian scale insect, is suitable for all woods, although it’s easiest to obtain a glossy, faultless French polish finish on closed grain hardwoods like maple, spruce, and cedar. A stage is added to the process if used on open-grain woods like walnut, mahogany, and rosewood.
While other glossy wood finishes exist, such as varnish, polyurethane, and high-gloss stains and paints, none match the depth and richness of French polish.
The Benefits of French Polishing
French polishing is a wood finishing technique that results in a highly polished, glossy surface. This technique has been around for centuries and is still used today on a variety of wood surfaces, including furniture and musical instruments. French polishing involves the use of a substance called shellac, which is derived from the Lac beetle.
There are several benefits to using french polishing. One of the main benefits is its aesthetic appeal. The glossy, shiny finish of a french polished surface is highly desirable and adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any piece of furniture or object.
Another benefit of french polishing is its durability. The shellac used in this technique forms a strong and protective layer on the wood surface, helping to prevent scratches, dents, and other forms of damage. This makes french polishing an excellent choice for objects that will see a lot of use, such as dining room tables or musical instruments.
In addition to its aesthetic and durability benefits, french polishing is also relatively easy to maintain. The glossy finish of a french polished surface repels dust and dirt, making it easy to keep clean with just a soft cloth and some mild soap and water.
One of the key advantages of french polishing is that it is a very versatile technique. It can be used on a wide range of different wood types and surfaces, including both smooth and intricate designs. This makes it a great choice for a variety of different applications, from small decorative items to large pieces of furniture.
Another benefit of french polishing is its environmental friendliness. The shellac used in this technique is a natural substance that is biodegradable and non-toxic. This makes it a more eco-friendly option compared to some other wood finishing techniques that use chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
In conclusion, french polishing is a wood finishing technique that offers a range of benefits, including its aesthetic appeal, durability, ease of maintenance, versatility, and environmental friendliness. Whether you are looking to add a touch of elegance to a piece of furniture or protect a valuable musical instrument, french polishing is definitely worth considering.
Contact Abbey Antiques today for more information on our French polishing service in the Essex area. Romford 01708 741135.
