Greetings all!
I have recently acquired a French armoire (18th century, I believe).
It's in good condition (even though the previous owners were cleaning
it with Orange Glo) and I would like to keep it that way. After
reading the (numerous) posts recommending the use of beeswax, I headed
up to my nearest Home Depot. There, however, I was told that repeated
use of (any type of) wax will eventually create a thick, dull layer
and necessitate a complete overhaul of the piece. Yikes! Could this
be true?
I was also told that one should never apply wax directly on unsealed
wood.
Double yikes!! Did they seal wood in 18th century France?
Just in case this isn't true(and I DO hope it isn't), is there a
particular brand of beeswax + carnauba that one could recommend ?
Some brands have all sorts of unrecognizable other products mixed in,
and I want to stay away from anything that could really hurt the wood.
Oh, and I almost forgot: should I be looking for a liquid or a paste
?
In advance, thank you.
LD
I must agree with Messrs Wilcox and McKinley. It is exactly what I do with
all the old stuff I have laying about here. I have only seen wax lift a
veneer when it is jammed under it when already loose.
"Mike Wilcox" <appraisers@no-spam> wrote in message
news:3F0F65E4.CA1D108@no-spam
> wildmoor@no-spam wrote:
>
> > On 10 Jul 2003 10:21:09 -0700, ldancausse@no-spam (LD) wrote:
> >
> > >Greetings all!
> > >
> > >I have recently acquired a French armoire (18th century, I believe).
> > >It's in good condition (even though the previous owners were cleaning
> > >it with Orange Glo) and I would like to keep it that way. After
> > >reading the (numerous) posts recommending the use of beeswax, I headed
> > >up to my nearest Home Depot. There, however, I was told that repeated
> > >use of (any type of) wax will eventually create a thick, dull layer
> > >and necessitate a complete overhaul of the piece. Yikes! Could this
> > >be true?
> > >
> > >I was also told that one should never apply wax directly on unsealed
> > >wood.
> > >Double yikes!! Did they seal wood in 18th century France?
> > >
> > >Just in case this isn't true(and I DO hope it isn't), is there a
> > >particular brand of beeswax + carnauba that one could recommend ?
> > >Some brands have all sorts of unrecognizable other products mixed in,
> > >and I want to stay away from anything that could really hurt the wood.
> > >
> > >Oh, and I almost forgot: should I be looking for a liquid or a paste
> > >?
> > >
> > >In advance, thank you.
> > >
> > >LD
> > Hi , If it is 18century (french 18c furniture was widley copied in the
> > 19c and french-polished),
> > The original finish would be oil-based, rubbed down with brick
> > dust-Yes, it really does produce a hard shine!
> > this only needs a dusting every now and then-polishing requires an
> > expert.
> > Wax polishing of any kind will only result in a useless accumulation
> > of wax on the surface, and may lift any veneer!
> > David,
>
> I have been in the business for almost forty years and have never seen wax
> lift veneer. There's nothing wrong with a properly applied coat of paste
> wax, the problems begin when people insist on spray polishes every week.
>
> Mike Wilcox
>
>
>