Something to ponder over!
Firstly French polish holds its own on antique furniture, as a beautiful high shine can be achieved, and if looked after should and can last for many years to come.
However, the down side is, that it is prone to ring marking and also heat marks, and takes such a long time to dry out ready for use.
Also, to learn how to French polish can take years, and if not taught by a competent teacher will take even longer, as you cannot learn the skills of how much polish to apply and the amount of pressure needed at the various stages through out the process from a book, you have to learn by spending day after day at it until you reach the desired effect.
Lacquer however, is much easier to apply either by brush or spray gun, and requires very little skill needed.
The good points of lacquer, are that it is a relatively tough finish that can stand greater heat resistance and therefore less prone to the usual ring markings that we see on French polished surfaces everywhere.
To back up my statement recently, I was called to take a look ate some bedroom furniture, well as soon as I entered the room, I suddenly remembered that I had worked on this bedroom suite seventeen years ago! And despite the small damaged area on the dressing table top, the rest of the furniture was in excellent condition it was like seeing an old friend again it gave me great pleasure and the customer was amazed to hear, that it was I that had carried out the work all those years ago.
Some people are put off by the word lacquered finish, well they have been around for years now, and it seems that people perhaps are not aware of the qualities that lacquer can provide, and only by writing about the subject, can perhaps change their perspective, it is not a cheaper alternative or a quick fix as many believe as the products required are not cheap or inferior in any way.
I hope this will help put some miss conceptions on this subject to rest.
As always your feedback is very welcome.
