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FRENCH POLISHING & RE-FINISHING

For those who wish to re-finish their own furniture using traditional staining and French polishing techniques

Course Overview

• Why choose this course?
This 2 day practical French polishing course, delivered by a professional polisher with over 35 years experience in the trade, is designed for those who are new to staining and re-finishing and those who wish to gain hands on experience in this specialist field of furniture making and furniture restoration. The course has been designed to compliment the skills of furniture makers/restorers, and those who buy or own antique furniture that needs bringing back to life.

The course has an emphasis on the sound understanding and use of traditional French polishes and stains and “touching-in” techniques, including the selection and use of finishing materials.

All equipment and materials and sample boards are provided.  In addition, students will need to bring along one or two small items of furniture to re-finish such as a side table, chair or box etc; you will be able to work on one item whilst the other finishes drying.

The course is aimed at Beginners and Intermediate students; time is allocated for discussion on stains, fillers, bleaches, polishes and waxes.

Two-day courses are divided into three disciplines:
o Material identification, preparation and use
o Stripping, staining and colouring up
o French polishing and staining

• What will I achieve?
This course will give you a thorough grounding in the safe and practical use of traditional staining and French polishing techniques, plus you will be able to work on your own re-finishing projects and work on an item such as chair/stool or a box.

• This course is suitable for …
o Beginners
o Intermediate

Course Content

• Induction and Welcome to Peter Sefton Furniture School
• Basic Safety Considerations
o Personal safety
o Safe use of finishing products
• Materials Used in Traditional Polishing
o Strippers and revivers
o Stains and earth colours
o Grain fillers and filler sticks
o Shellacs and waxes
• Tools
o Scrapers and abrasive papers
o Wire wools and Mirlon pads
o Pencil brushes and mops
o Fads, Rubbers and waxing pads
• Techniques
o Stripping or reviving
o Grain filling and staining
o Touching in and bodying up
o Spiriting off and waxing

• Tools Required
If you do not have any or many tools, the School can provide them for you to use. However, if you can bring along your own tools, the suggested tool list includes:
o Pencil and note pad
o Clean jam jars with lids
o Paint scraper and cork sanding blocks
o Any old newspapers and cotton rags will be useful

Please do not get dressed up for the occasion as wood finishing can be a messy job!

• Health and Safety Equipment and Materials Required
Students need to bring their own PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as follows:
o Box of Nitrile Disposable Gloves
o Marigold Gloves
o Safety Glasses
o Carpenters Apron
These and other items can be purchased from either www.restexpress.co.uk or www.agwoodcare.co.uk. If you do not have the above PPE when you arrive on the course, you can purchase them from the School.
o Items to be Polished – Please bring along two small items such as a side table, chair or box etc; if you are unsure about what to bring, please call Peter on 01684 591014 to discuss their suitability.

• Where to Stay
Please see the Find Us page of our website and then click on Where to Stay

• Booking Info
How do I apply for any of your Courses? First, please contact the School to confirm there is space on the course either by phone on 01684 591014 or email sarah@peterseftonfurnitureschool.com. Then complete the Course Booking Form and forward it with your 50% deposit to the School.

The balance will be due 6 weeks prior to the start of the course and if booking less than 6 weeks in advance, the total course fee will be due. Peter Sefton Furniture School regrets that we are unable to accept applications from anyone under the age of 18 at the start of their course.

Duration and Facilities: The course runs over 2 consecutive Saturdays, 09:00 to 17:00 with 1 hour for lunch. Students will need to provide their own lunch each day; tea and coffee are provided by the School.