Second Time Around Antiques, Main Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Frequently Asked Qustions

Q: What is the difference between refinishing and restoring a piece of furniture?

Q: What is the difference between shellac or French polish and a lacquered finish?

Q: I have an old chair I inherited from a relative. I have been told it is late Victorian and in its original finish. There are some small scratches and it looks as though it is darker in some areas then others. Should I have it refinished or restored?

Q: I just purchased an antique and would like to know what you would recommend to keep it looking its best.

Q: What is the difference between refinishing and restoring a piece of furniture?

A: Refinishing involves removing (or sometimes referred to as stripping) the existing finish That can be accomplished by using stripper (a chemical application) and then removing the finish by scraping and sanding, or by just using the sanding method. After the piece is cleaned, it is stained the desired colour and then a finishing sealer or topcoat goes on (usually lacquer, varnish or wax).

If a piece is being restored, it is thoroughly cleaned by using either a commercial wood cleaner, or a homemade mixture (often a blend of linseed oil and mineral spirits). Usually, the use of very fine steel wool is used in applying the cleaner. Then it is usually waxed or oiled (depending on the preference ) to get the desired appearance. In other words, refinishing involves removal of the existing finish, while restoring involves working with the existing finish and rebuilding the finish.

Q: What is the difference between shellac or French polish and a lacquered finish?

A: Shellac is a finishing product used in an old method of finishing called a French polish. French polishing is applying several hand rubbed layers of shellac in order to get a deep, rich, finish to the wood. In between the coats of shellac the wood is hand sanded with fine pumice. As easy as it may sound, it is not. True French polishers take several years of training to acquire the necessary skills. Therefore it is an expensive way of furniture finishing. Consequently, a French polish finish is usually reserved for the more valuable pieces.

Lacquer is considered a more modern application and is a used after the stain has been applied. It usually is sprayed on and if done well can mirror a French polish rather well at a fraction of the cost of a true French polish. However, prices range dramatically on refinishers and usually for good reason. We suggest that before you decide on having anything refinished or restored you ask to see some samples and references of the persons you are considering to do the job.

Q: I have an old chair I inherited from a relative. I have been told it is late Victorian and in its original finish. There are some small scratches and it looks as though it is darker in some areas then others. Should I have it refinished or restored?

A: A simple guideline we like to recommend is that anything over 100 years you should try not to refinish, but instead have it restored so you do not lose the value of the piece. If an item has already been previously refinished and you are unhappy with the results then you should feel confident in having it done. Most people coming in the store prefer the original finish on the older pieces as they usually have a rich, deep finish that has occurred over time as the shellac, varnish or wax has aged. Before you decide one way or the other, it wouldn't hurt to ask the opinion of your favorite antique dealer.

Q: I just purchased an antique and would like to know what you would recommend to keep it looking its best.

A: Maintaining a finish is not that difficult. First of all it is important that you make sure your antique is not placed in the direct sun or close to a heater. All woods fade over time, however direct sunlight will not only bleach out your finish but will do extensive damage to the wood. Any type of heat will dry out a piece and often result in splitting of the wood.

Whether you wax or oil is a personal preference. We strongly suggest you stay away from any aerosol spray, as the silicone will eventually break down the finish. Oiling (orange or lemon) is great if you dust fairly often (once a week or two). That way you are "moisturizing" or feeding the wood on a regular basis.

Using wax every 5-6 months can help to protect the wood from wear better then oil, however, it does require more elbow grease!

Whatever method you choose, we suggest you stick with that one. Otherwise, you will end up with a waxy, oil build up that will result in a cloudy, gummy finish.


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