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French polishing is one of the most beautiful ways of finishing mahogany and oak antique furniture. It originates from times past when skill and craftsmanship were still important, and a time when furniture makers were more than willing to spend time creating the perfect finish to a quality piece of furniture.

French polishing is not a product as some people may think, but it is an actual technique of wood finishing. It became popular in the late 19th century and was used on the most expensive furniture at that time. Eventually, it lost favour because it’s such a labour intensive process, and this meant that furniture manufacturers opted for finishes that could be easily mass produced.

By the 1930s, other finishing methods such as sprays became more popular and this cause a sever decline in the amount of French Polishing that was being done, in fact it practically died a death.

How To Bring A Quality Piece Of Antique Furniture To Life

But when refinishing a piece of antique furniture, French Polishing is one of the best and most effective methods for restoring the pieces to their original luster. It can create a mirror-like finish that adds to the appearance and quality of any piece of antique furniture.

This is true for antique dining room furniture which may have to endure every day use, as well as living room furniture and bedroom furniture. The finish that French Polish gives the furniture enhances the colour and provides a warmer look than a spray on finish.

What Exactly Is French Polish?

French polish is made by adding denatured alcohol to something called shellac. The shade can be varied to match the type of wood that is being refinished. A rubbing pad, often made of cotton wool wrapped in a square of white cotton is used to apply the polish to the piece of furniture.

The polish is applied in circular motions and is extremely time intensive. The coats are built up slowing by using many applications of polish. This process can take several days and many coats to complete, depending on the piece and the number of applications.

French polishing can be sensitive to heat, so you should be careful to never set hot mugs, or dishes on its surface. The good news is it is also one of the few finishes that can be repaired, which is why antique furniture can be rejuvenated with a little work and attention.

The aesthetic value of French Polishing can’t be matched either. Using cheaper, easier finishes does not give the same quality, nor does it do your piece of antique furniture the justice that it deserves.

French polishing was considered a lost art for many years, but today, there are a few of us industrious craftsmen that are reviving the art.

If, for example you have a piece of antique oak furniture that is looking a little tired, you should perhaps try to find someone who’s an expert at furniture restoration and French Polishing. When you see the results of your restored antique furniture, you’ll be glad you took the time to find a true craftsman.

Sometimes antique furniture, no matter how durable and old it has become, reaches its lifespan limit. It breaks, it fades in color or some of its parts crack. Yet instead of throwing it along with the rest of the obsolete materials in the garbage truck, it is restored through antique furniture repair. After all, it is still a good investment for the future generations to carry on.

Adhesives are one of the tried solutions for antique furniture repair. The use of adhesives like glue is the most preferred joining device of the broken antique furniture. Aside from old age, humidity can also be a considerable factor that contributes to loosening of the furniture. Actually, older furniture are assembled with accuracy yet some factors like humidity just strains the piece.

Glue is not the common material used in assembling bigger furniture pieces during manufacture yet it becomes a necessary material when you need to repair your furniture in the future.

There is heaps of glue available for antique furniture repair. Some holds on contact without any pressure while some requires around thirty-minute pressure to safely and completely bond. It is always best to purchase the recommended glue, instead of the off-brands. You must also carefully follow the direction indicated on the product labels.

Sometimes, the repair only entails a single leg of the furniture that has been broken. Fast-setting types of glues are not suitable for this kind of repair. You need to utilize the old-fashioned heavy glue. It is necessary when the broken piece is in position to support the leg and apply a clamp. You can also do this method for wood splits. The only thing you will do is to glue then replace every section followed by clamping.

You have to be careful in choosing the right glue for antique furniture repair. Do not purchase synthetic glues because they are not long lasting on anything which takes so much strain.

Impact adhesives in rubbery or jelly-like textures are best used for sticking large areas such as big pieces of veneers or plastic laminates. Epoxy resins on the other hand come in double tubes. You have to equally mix them first before applying. These are highly suggested for securing stringing or brass inlays.

There are still numerous adhesives available, each varying on the particular need of antique furniture repair. You just have to pick the right and the most suitable one. Do not assume if you do not know.

Antique furniture is most definitely an asset. Anyone owning a piece of antique furniture may be able to command thousand for that one individual item of furniture, which is why more and more individuals are choosing to invest in it at the moment. Of course value and worth all depend on a number of factors that are associated with the furniture itself.

The type of word, design, style and the era in which it was made are just a few of those factors. However, you can do something to preserve your investment by cleaning antique furniture correctly and at the right intervals. This is therefore your quick three-step guide to cleaning antique furniture.

Step One: Avoiding Dust Degradation.

When cleaning antique furniture, ensure that it becomes part of your regular routine quickly so that you do not neglect it in any way. You should always dust it every few days, once a week at the very least. You should never use any kind of dusting device though, lest it scratch it. A soft cloth is perfect for this purpose. Do not use any sprays of any kind on it and that includes regular furniture polish because the chemicals that are used in those formulas to repel dust and grime can actually damage your investment by staining the wood or causing weak spots. Cleaning antique furniture should be about preserving it rather than adding to the wear and tear!

There are certain polishes that you can use when cleaning antique furniture. Orange oil is good for cleaning antique furniture once a week. You should then polish it with furniture wax once every couple of months. Applying a thin coat will encourage it to shine without causing a wax build up.

Step Two: Protecting The Wood

Cleaning antique furniture can damage the wood if it is not done correctly so make sure that you protect it at all times. For example, mop up any spillages immediately and never rest anything on it directly that could possibly scratch it. If you spill water, simply wiping it off immediately would protect the wood but solvents should be treated with care. Cleaning antique furniture in this instance would require dabbing the stain with a soft cloth until all of the solvent has been removed. Wiping it away would cause more damage.

Also, protect your wood by ensuring that it never stands in the glare of direct sunlight. This can discolour it and cause it to fade, and no amount of cleaning antique furniture will be able to solve that problem.

Step Three: Optimum Environmental Factors

Always make sure that your home provides the optimum environment for your pieces. Cleaning antique furniture is all well and good but will not be able to protect it against the elements. Ensure that your house is a constant temperature

all year round. If that means investing in a humidifier then so be it. It is worth that little bit extra to protect your own larger investment. This will stabilise the air and make sure that cleaning antique furniture will have the desired effect of preservation throughout the years.