FAQ's
What is French Polishing?
'First and foremost; French Polishing is a Trade, not a particular finish.'
The French polishing technique is a wood finishing technique that results in a high gloss finish and a smooth surface. The French polishing finish is achieved by applying many thin coats of shellac to wood. This acts as a type of varnish and, once dry, it offers a strong protection against moisture. Instead of using a brush, polishers use a specialist cotton rubbing pad to get the desired finish. These thin coats slowly build up to create a deep colour and a glossy finish. The technique is often used on wood furniture and musical instruments, but it can be used on a whole host of other wood items.
Why is it called French polishing?
It is called French polishing because the technique originated in France in the 18th century. It is a wood finishing technique used by furniture makers in France during the Victorian era. French polishing was the finish of choice for mahogany and other expensive cuts of wood due to its ability to create a luxurious, high quality appearance. It is commonly seen on guitars, pianos, tables, staircases and wood panelling. French polishing is still done today, though not as widely as it is a time consuming process that requires expertise.
How much do French polishers charge?
A lot of French polishers will quote a job on a fixed rate basis, taking the exact requirements into account. This allows you to budget accordingly. However, there are variables that can change the rate. Location, the amount of work that needs doing and the complexities of the job can change the cost of a professional French polishing service. For example, French polishing a large wooden floor is likely to require a different skill set than French polishing a small table. The equipment and supplies required can also impact the cost.
Can you French polish pine?
Yes, you can French polish pine. As long as the pine has been sanded down to create a smooth surface, the French polishing technique can be done successfully. It is important to remove all dust and debris before you French polish pine as this can prevent an impressive finish from being achieved, and can prevent the polisher being able to get a completely smooth finish. You should also seal off any visible knots in the wood. The French polishing technique can be used with most types of wood, though some work better than others. It is easier to achieve a good French polish finish on hardwoods, such as maple, cedar and spruce.
Can old oak flooring be modernised to a grey finish?
'Yes.. Our team of French Polishers specialise in bespoke wood stain techniques. We offer a bespoke service on all modern wooden flooring including hardwood flooring. The same wood staining techniques can be applied to doors, staircases, handrails ,tables, panelling and much more...'
Can PLY wood be polished to look like Oak or Walnut?
'Absolutely; all engineered woods including MDF can be stained, polished and finished by our team of French Polishers and colour technicians to meet our clients needs.'
Can you match my Oak Balustrade to my Farrow & Bull painted feature wall?
Yes... This type of work requires our colour specialist French Polisher. We will supply you with a sample for your approval before works commence. This type of bespoke polishing is what we specialise in. We provide this service across all trending top spec brands of colour choice.
Boyle's French Polishers are the No.1 French Polishing company who can offer this Revolutionary service worldwide click on the link to learn more.
Do French Polishers convert furniture?
French polishers do not convert furniture from one thing into another but they do offer furniture repair and restoration services to existing furniture. You can enlist a French polisher to repair, repurpose and restore a wide range of items. This includes everything from wood antiques to musical instruments, from tables to doors. French polishers also work with wood panelling, staircases and floors.
Can you offer French Polishing on a large scale?
Our team of French Polishers has carried out large scale jobs for commercial clients including hundreds of hotel doors, miles of bannisters and handrails, cherished antiques for museums and private clubs. We offer flexible working hours so we can work outside your usual business hours to minimise disruption to your business.
All of our repairs are permanent; however they are dependent on the after care and wear and tear. Our repairs are completed to the highest standard which are signed off and approved by you. After each repair you will be advised on our Do’s and Don’t’s.
Please do not be tempted to touch the repair for a minimum of 24 hours to allow it to fully dry, otherwise the one year warranty will not be valid. In addition to this, a lot of cleaning products contain high levels of harsh abrasives and chemicals which can tamper with the repairs. We commonly advise to just use warm soapy water to clean surfaces unless we specify otherwise.
Can you repair wooden worktops?
Yes! It is not uncommon for pan burns, scratches, chips, cracks and even water damage to appear on a wooden worktop. Our team are specialists with over 20 years experience in French Polishing, the art of treating wood. You can get a free no-obligation quote today by sending us a picture of the damage. You can do this through our website, our email address or Whatsapp.
So please don’t worry if your countertop is damaged, no matter what nature of wood. We will make it disappear for a fraction of the price of replacing!
Do I have to replace my marble countertop?
Marble- The stone for the Emperors and Gods! We know all too well how upsetting it can be to find a damage in your marble or granite surface. Not only can the damage be an eyesore, but in most cases, marble is one of the most expensive stones to replace.
Every piece of stone is unique but luckily for you, even with the complexity and characteristics of marble and granite, our highly skilled team can repair it to look as good as new by filling, finishing and reconstructing even up to the smallest veins.
Can you repair uPVC windows and doors?
Yes, our partner company Masterteck repairs are significantly cheaper than replacing uPVC! Whether you want to change the colour of your frame completely or you just want to give a new lease of life to your home exterior, we can repair and spray uPVC windows and doors to any colour or sheen you like.
UPVC is a material which is incredibly durable, has great thermal efficiency and sound insulation, so we can see why it is so popularly used for windows and doors even 180 years after it was first used in the Victorian era!
Yes, we can resurface your acrylic bathtub as well as fibreglass, plastic, enamel or steel (we weren’t joking when we said we can repair ANY surface and material!) With our expert matching specialists, we will ensure exact texture and colour to your bathtub repair as well as using reinforcement agents to make the repair endure years of contact with water.
We strongly advice against using any DIY repair kits you find online, many customers who have needed a bath repair have made the damage substantially worse by trying to fix it with these types of kits.