Which is better, French polish or lacquer?
When it comes to deciding between a french polish or lacquered finish, one isn't better than the other, but each has their advantages. A French polish finish, although not as hardwearing as lacquer, does not tend to need re-stripping if scratched or scuffed. It can simply be re-polished, 'building up' the French polish. The advantage being it is more easily, and cost-effectively, maintained. A lacquered finish, on the other hand, is harder-wearing and able to withstand more knocks and bumps. Although, with more deeper damage re-stripping back to the bare wood is often necessary.
When it comes to deciding between a french polish or lacquered finish, one isn't better than the other, but each has their advantages. A French polish finish, although not as hardwearing as lacquer, does not tend to need re-stripping if scratched or scuffed. It can simply be re-polished, 'building up' the French polish. The advantage being it is more easily, and cost-effectively, maintained. A lacquered finish, on the other hand, is harder-wearing and able to withstand more knocks and bumps. Although, with more deeper damage re-stripping back to the bare wood is often necessary.
Will having my furniture French polished in my home be messy?
No. The majority of furniture is hand-stripped using a chemical process, meaning no need for industrial sanders! For peace of mind, the work is always carried out on a protective floor covering. If furniture does need sanding, it is always done outside, or brought back to the workshop.
No. The majority of furniture is hand-stripped using a chemical process, meaning no need for industrial sanders! For peace of mind, the work is always carried out on a protective floor covering. If furniture does need sanding, it is always done outside, or brought back to the workshop.
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Can my furniture be stained darker or lighter, for example, to match my other furniture?
Absolutely! SEE our YouTube video demonstrating the array of colours. |
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Does my furniture need stripping off or cleaning and reviving?
The deeper the damage on a piece of furniture the more likely it will need stripping off back to the bare wood. It is then stained to the agreed colour, or left natural, and finished in either French polish or lacquer. In the case of wood likely to get wet such as in the kitchen or bathroom, and external doors - oil or varnish can be applied to make it more water-resistant. For French polished furniture that is simply 'looking tired', cleaning and reviving, followed by a french polish finish is often all that is required to bring the piece back to life.
The deeper the damage on a piece of furniture the more likely it will need stripping off back to the bare wood. It is then stained to the agreed colour, or left natural, and finished in either French polish or lacquer. In the case of wood likely to get wet such as in the kitchen or bathroom, and external doors - oil or varnish can be applied to make it more water-resistant. For French polished furniture that is simply 'looking tired', cleaning and reviving, followed by a french polish finish is often all that is required to bring the piece back to life.
What difference does it make whether my furniture is veneered or solid wood?
The advantage of solid wood is that it can be can maintained and sanded, if necessary, over and over again, making it longer lasting. With veneered wood, where there is only a thin veneer of wood covering a mixture of wooden fibres, sanding out scratches may be more limited.
The advantage of solid wood is that it can be can maintained and sanded, if necessary, over and over again, making it longer lasting. With veneered wood, where there is only a thin veneer of wood covering a mixture of wooden fibres, sanding out scratches may be more limited.
