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.
Dear Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThe bedroom furniture you saw again after 17 years - back then did you French polish or lacquer?
All the best.
Hi Frank, I can't actually remember now, but I think it was lacquered.
DeleteRegards, to you both.
Hi Andrew
ReplyDeleteI use AC lacquers most of the time but I do use Pre-cat lacquers a lot too, I find two coats of a 50% sheen pre cat lacquer on top of 2 base coats then finished with a couple of rubbers of weak pullover mixed with 90% lacquer is a lovely finish and looks more hand finished.
Sam
Hello Sam, sounds like you know what you are doing in the field of lacquer etc. Keep up the good work. Regards, Andrew.
DeleteHi Sam do you use 90% weak pullover to 10% pre cat lacquer for rubbering? Do you go straight with the grain and when do you know how far to rubber the weak solution to. Cheers James
DeleteHi James I use weak pullover and go with the grain most of the time. I will do about 3 passes with a damp rubber then let it sit for 10mins then go again in till I get the sheen I want. I find you get a much more natural finish this way.
DeleteHey Sam thanks for your reply really appreciate the help. I was still curious as to wether u add abit of pre cat lacquer to ur weak pullover. Cheers james
DeleteHi Andrew
ReplyDeleteWhats the best clear grain filler to use on guitars to be French polished?
Sam
Hello Sam,
DeleteGuitars are not my field of expertise, although I have done a few in the past.
Well, I have found this I think helpful bit of information for you! Also I have used this product & manufacturer many times before without and problems. it is great for sealing the grain as it says on the label.
Try it out on a spare timber so you can get used to how much to apply and drying times etc.
It is better to apply very dry applications and then the surface can dry much quicker.
Rustins, Shellac Sanding Sealer SHELLAC SANDING SEALER - Manufactured from Pure Shellac and alcohol with a special additive included to facilitate sanding when dry. It is also used to seal wood before waxing and to seal wood dyes to prevent bleeding.
Hope this is of some help to you? Regards, Andrew.
Hello Sam, yes sometimes it doesn't hurt to add a little lacquer in the pullover just to ensure that the pullover doesn't burn the surface finish.
ReplyDeleteI normally add abit of 90%to it
ReplyDeleteCan wood lacquer be applied over a varnished bit of wood, in this case a piano? I would like a smooth finish to the stained wood paint which is also a varnish. Is it a case of using a high grade wet & dry paper to smooth it out?
ReplyDeleteAll depends what the finish is that is all ready on it.
ReplyDelete