French Polishing

[Matt Tomkins]

Hi all,
I know it's not officially a minor, but I've volunteered to have a go at french polishing the Walnut dashboard of the OUMF (http://www.oumf.org/index.html) Riley 1.5.
I wonder if anyone would share any words of wisdom with me?
Many thanks in advance,
Matt

[riley 1489]

Hi Matt,

Yes done my own Riley 1.5 dashboard recently! As the veneer was OK I carefully stripped off the laquer with a heat gun and a blunt scraper. Nitromors would not touch it. I then refinished it with Rustins 2-pack Plastic Coating, as recommended in a feature in Practical Classics about a year or so ago. I put on about 10 coats in the end, rubbing down with fine wet & dry on a block between a few coats, and then a final polish with T-Cut. Good as new, but you do need to make sure all the old varnish is off or the new varnish will craze.



Regards
Chris

[Matt Tomkins]

i was reading about the plastic coating, but the general consensus i think is to have a go at traditional french polishing with shellac etc.; although the results you have achieved look fab!
out of interest, what did you seal the back with?
we were thinking white gloss, thus maximisig light for plumbing behind the dash when workin g on it

[riley 1489]

Hi,

I used the Rustins clear plastic coating after reading an article about it in Practical Classics, they did a feature on Chapman & Cliff, run by ex Rolls Royce employees who restore automotive woodwork. This is close to or maybe the same as the original finish. It wasn't originally french polished but I'd be interested to hear how you get on if you go this way. Lots or info on the web I'm sure or there are furniture restoration books etc.

I didn't paint the back. It wasn't painted originally. It's light coloured thick plywood so I couldn't see the point, unless it's getting wet regularly.

Did you know there is a Riley 1.5 forum on the Riley Motor Club website- you might get some more ideas there, I've only noticed one other 1.5-er posting regularly here.

http://rileymotorclub.createforumhostin ... ve-f4.html

Regards
Chris

[RogerRust]

When i was looking at the table getting ready for Christmas lunch I spotted a white ring where a hot cup had been left

I fixed it with my father's french polish trick - make a paste of talcum powder and instant coffee powder with a drop of olive oil and rub it till you arm aches and the paste has got hot with the friction then clean it off and buff it up with a clean cloth. It worked