william evans fine furniture and antique care brochure

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How to care for your fine furniture ‘Good furniture needs good care’ – Bill Evans William Evans Fine Furniture and Restoration 804 Maine Street Waldoboro, ME 04572 207.832.4175 www.wílliamevansfurniture.com What is a shellac finish? Shellac finishes have been used on the finest furniture for centuries. Cabinetmakers began using shellac, also known as ‘French Polish’, in the late 1700’s. The reason it has remained the finish of choice is that it best allows the beauty of the wood to shine through. A shellac finish is gradually built up of multiple thin layers that can be polished to an extremely smooth appearance.. This illuminates the figure and grain pattern of the wood unlike a thick finish that can cloud the surface and give a plastic look. French polishing is a significantly time-consuming process, as each layer of shellac is applied by hand and laboriously rubbed out. In order to preserve the beauty of new pieces and antique integrity of restored furniture, a shellac finish is the best choice. While this finish is the finest available, it is also the most delicate, as it is susceptible to heat and solvents, such as alcohol. Shellac is made from a resinous substance secreted by a beetle. Flakes of the resin are dissolved in alcohol and drizzled into a cotton wad wrapped in lint-free cloth. This mixture is then ‘padded’ on the wood in a circular and/or figure-eight motion, which deposits small amounts of the shellac-alcohol solution on the surface. The alcohol evaporates during this process, leaving an extremely thin coat of shellac. This finish can either be left as is - in the French Polished form - or it can be rubbed down and waxed, depending on the desired sheen and nature of the piece.

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How to care for your fine furniture ‘Good furniture needs good care’ – Bill Evans

William Evans Fine Furniture and Restoration

804 Maine Street Waldoboro, ME 04572

207.832.4175 www.wílliamevansfurniture.com

What is a shellac finish? Shellac finishes have been used on the finest furniture for centuries. Cabinetmakers began using shellac, also known as ‘French Polish’, in the late 1700’s. The reason it has remained the finish of choice is that it best allows the beauty of the wood to shine through. A shellac finish is gradually built up of multiple thin layers that can be polished to an extremely smooth appearance.. This illuminates the figure and grain pattern of the wood unlike a thick finish that can cloud the surface and give a plastic look. French polishing is a significantly time-consuming process, as each layer of shellac is applied by hand and laboriously rubbed out. In order to preserve the beauty of new pieces and antique integrity of restored furniture, a shellac finish is the best choice. While this finish is the finest available, it is also the most delicate, as it is susceptible to heat and solvents, such as alcohol. Shellac is made from a resinous substance secreted by a beetle. Flakes of the resin are dissolved in alcohol and drizzled into a cotton wad wrapped in lint-free cloth. This mixture is then ‘padded’ on the wood in a circular and/or figure-eight motion, which deposits small amounts of the shellac-alcohol solution on the surface. The alcohol evaporates during this process, leaving an extremely thin coat of shellac. This finish can either be left as is - in the French Polished form - or it can be rubbed down and waxed, depending on the desired sheen and nature of the piece.

Initial Care For the first three months, a shellac finish is still hardening.. Avoid leaving objects in one place on the furniture for more than several days, such as vases or sharp-edged objects, as an imprint may develop on the finish. If you do have something on the table, move it slightly every few days to prevent marking. Cleaning I recommend cleaning your furniture with only soft cloth, always polishing in the direction of the grain. If your furniture has been waxed, I recommend a light buffing with a soft cloth, again in the direction of the grain. For older pieces on which buffing doesn't bring back the luster of the original finish, then I suggest waxing with a good quality tinned wax, such as Butcher’s Furniture Wax. I do not recommend using Pledge or similar spray-on products. Any spills on your furniture should be wiped up immediately with a damp soft cloth. Some examples of substances that could damage the finish are alcoholic beverages, nail polish, cleaning solutions, etc. Avoid setting hot drinks directly on the surface, such as cups of coffee or tea. It is strongly recommended that coasters, a substantial placemat or a hot pad be used. Greasy spills (butter, oil) may be cleaned with a weak solution of dish detergent and warm water. For a dining room table, I suggest ordering a table pad to provide a lifetime of use.

Repair Any finish that sustains significant damage is probably going to have to be professionally repaired. The advantage of shellac is that the finish itself can be repaired because alcohol can be ‘reflowed as opposed to lacquer, urethane or varnish coatings which may require complete stripping of the furniture. Storage and placement Placing furniture pieces in direct, bright sunlight may bleach the wood or cause it to fade unevenly. Avoid long-term storage in a hot dry space such as an attic or storage unit, or damp basement or any other environmental extreme. With proper care the shellac finish will maintain its original beauty for many years in your home, and generations to come.