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ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORATION DISCUSSION BOARD

preserving original finish - how far can you go?

Posted By: Michael Row <michael@rows.us> (adsl-207-245-72-24.cust.oldcity.dca.net)
Date: 9/22/4 16:52

I have some old, supposedly valuable chairs. Finish (shellac, I'm reasonably sure) is mostly intact, but many areas worn to wood. I've heard consistently that preserving the original finish is to be preferred, but there are some nuances to this I haven't found an answer for in many books on restoration:

Is it acceptable to patch worn areas with shellac and still be considered "original finish"?

Also, two books I have suggest a new overcoat of shellac after cleaning, etc. Is this still considered "original finish"? Is this acceptable or frowned upon in the antique restoration community?

Finally, if shellac can be patched or overcoated, what would ever lead one to actually have to strip the whole thing down to bare wood?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

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