new user

Hi I found this furniture thread very interesting, the posted information and knowledge on dating furniture is fascinating, I am a self taught furniture restorer based in Scotland, working with a mix of vintage, antique and hand made items.
I would like to join the community to ascertain more information on certain antique pieces, and to offer any assistance I can with restorations or remodels.
thanks

 

Welcome Jack,

Given your username I have a question for you! If you make your own French polish do you have a preference of alcohol base? I've recently swapped to isopropanol (from meths) as I can't seem to get any decent clear meths these days. The isop is very pure and seems to work well, takes a bit longer to melt the flakes and the mix can seem a bit stickier which I've counteracted with a bit of extra oil during application. Any thoughts?

 

Welcome to the forum, Jack.

Looks like you already have a query you can help with.

 

Ce BCA,

Ive only recently got into french polishing, so may not be able to help you there, I tend use shellac mainly as a sanding base coat, for polishing currently I use meth spirts as the mixer and yeah the oil really helps with sticking, ill need to try iso as well, would love to see some of your polishing work.

 

Most of my polishing is just to improve the finish and seal in patina of small items (boxes, caddies, slopes) I haven't done any full strip and sand for a while. Here are a couple of boxes I have brought back to a nice surface finish recently, I don't have any before pics though, sorry:


This one is a chemists chest.


This one's a gentlemans dressing case in burr walnut that was faded and had some water damage.

 

lovely finish, not a smudge in sight. The dressing case is a beautiful piece, was that for storing shaving items in?

 

Yes, and for all sorts of other items, the interior is largely intact:

Thanks, to be fair improving an existing antique surface is a lot easier than a bare strip though - I don't envy the task you have with the Georgian chest you posted!

 

woah, to have all the pieces is amazing. the little pull out drawer is a great feature.
I will post some finished pictures when its done.

 

Uhhh WOW. I've seen pictures of those but never knew anyone who had the full kit before. We in America rarely see those.

 

I usually keep 2 or 3 in, they are not quick sellers though, probably as the prices are quite high for ones with contents, here's another for you to enjoy.

 

you really get a feeling for what it was like to live back then when all the items are complete like that

 

u mean , live wealthy...