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December 2004: Maintaining your Antiques
With 2004 almost behind us, Guy and I want to thank you for your continued support through our third year on the Internet. We've been upgrading and actualizing the site, regularly adding a larger number of antiques. See our new favotite examples: http://www.french-corner-antiques.com/favorites/
We have a large choice of antique furniture, including French and Continental antique pieces. But please call us if you are looking for particular antiques not on our pages: 610-642-6867.
Lately clients have asked us how to best keep up and maintain their antique furniture. So here are Guy's two cents of advice:
To prevent winter season dryness, keep a bowl of water inside or underneath your cabinets. This will help prevent the split in wood boards, inlays popping off or banding slipping out. It will also help control the increase in the cracks between old wood boards. Of course in summer, unless your home is constantly air conditioned, keeping a de-humidifier running will help during the most humid days.
Now for dusting, Guy uses a dry cotton cloth from a worn T-shirt. This is better than any of the industrially produced *anti-dust* fabrics. Last but not least: please no PLIZ on French wax finish or Vernis Martin! More details follow:
MAINTAINING ANTIQUE FURNITURE IN WOOD, FRENCH POLISH AND WAX FINISHES:
DUST with a clean piece of cloth with nothing on it, I repeat NOTHING! Take a piece of an old cotton shirt, and wipe slowly the dust. If you need to reach inside small spaces, or inside intricate carvings, take an old tooth brush and gently - I mean VERY gently, go along borders and carvings or open spaces, always following the wood grain.
You'll need a tooth brush for this open work! 
PROTECT antique furniture finished with French polish from hard objects that can leave marks on the surface. Get at hardware stores self sticking felt pads to place under table lamps or vases.
WAX once a year your wooden antiques. If the wax is too hard, add a few drops of turpentine. Let stand several hours, then using a soft dusting brush (a brush for clothes), polish alongside the wood grain. If you don't have a brush, use the same old cotton or wool cloth, always following the wood grain.
REMOVE water stains rubbing the wood with cork - always following its grain. It's OK to use the cork of a wine bottle. Repeat the process several times. You might have to re-wax lightly after. I prefer to sit flower pots or plants on glass or marble surfaces!
DON’T write on old desktops! If you need to write over a wood surface, use a large magazine to protect the antique wood. Some fruit woods are very tender and a ball point pen will leave unexpected marks on your antique French farm table.
PROTECT from wood shrinkage when the air gets very dry, by placing a small container with water inside armoires and antique cabinets, this helps contain the excessive dryness of the air. Refill or change the water every two weeks
WATER will stain antique wood, fine porcelain and antique faience alike! Avoid leaving water for days on in antique faience vases or antique porcelain containers. A bouquet will last three-four days only! After that immediately remove the water and clean the faience or porcelain vase with water and mild soap - or water with white vinegar - and dry it right away.
Here is Guy in his workshop: 
ADDITIONS TO OUR GLOSSARY
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FRENCH POLISH FINISH
French polish is called *Vernis au Tampon* in French. A *Tampon* is a self-made tool used to rub the shellac on the antique surface, it consists of a cotton core surrounded by a piece of fine cotton cloth free of any linen. Then dilute shellac with denaturated alcohol that you pour on the cotton core inside your *tampon*. Then apply the shellac with figure 8-shaped large strokes. Ther shellac must be very thin. The process has to be repeated several tines, while sanding lightly between each coat of shellac. Once done your arms and hand muscles will be very strong!
A fine example of *Vernis Martin* finish: 
FRENCH WAX FINISH
French wax finish is applied to wood previously dusted and cleaned with turpentine. Then with a brush the wax is spread evenly, following the wood grain. Add drops of turpentine to the wax if it's too hard. Let it sit for a few hours, then brush (shoe brush works fine) along wood grain. A wool cloth or a mutton skin will give the last touch. The deep shine comes after many layers applied over the years.
Enjoy your antiques, and call us if you have further questions.
A bientot!
Guy and Daniele Veroli
