OUR NEW ADDITIONAL OPEN-AIR SUMMER WORK SPACE IS NOW OPEN

THE ONE WEEK BEGINNERS COURSE IN REFINISHING (FRENCH POLISHING) ANTIQUE FURNITURE & JOINERY

INCLUDING AN EXTRA TWO WEEK HOME STUDY SECTION [course 05]



TOTAL COST: £495 INCLUDING TUITION, A SIMPLE LUNCH, TEA & COFFEE EACH DAY, 2 WEEK HOME STUDY COURSE SECTION, COURSE MANUAL & ALL MATERIALS. A DEPOSIT OF £150 IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE TO SECURE YOUR COURSE PLACE.


DESCRIPTION OF THIS COURSE

Five days of the course (Monday to Friday) are entirely practical, hands on, and are conducted at our well equipped course venue near the centre of the beautiful cathedral city of Exeter in easy reach of the M5 motorway, railway stations and airport.

There is also a 2-week home study part of the course included that provides the essential background theory to many aspects of the practical course work. This is designed to be completed by you prior to coming on the practical part of the course. Completing this short home study section ensures you will be prepared for and get the most out of the practical part of the course.

A course manual is included with the home study course, it explains the techniques you will be learning so nothing will be forgotten when you get home after the course.

This course is for the complete beginner and acts as a basic introduction to some of our refinishing techniques and French Polishing systems. You will receive plenty of one-to-one tuition from Peter or Josie Thomson and be taken, step by step, carefully through all the techniques you need to learn to produce a beautiful French Polish finish.

This course is similar in structure to the weekend restoration course, but instead of two days we have five. This means we cover more topics, and the topics that are the same in the weekend course, are covered to a greater depth in this course.


THIS IS A LIST OF THE TOPICS WE WILL COVER ON THIS COURSE:

  • You will learn about many of the specialist antique furniture polishing techniques listed below whilst working on antique furniture.

  • We will look in depth at the various techniques and materials that are used to carefully revive and clean original waxed and French polished antique surfaces as a speedy and effective alternative to complete re-polishing.

  • You will learn how to recognise the correct solvent to use to remove old perished polish from original and non original antique surfaces, prior to re-polishing. You will then learn how to carefully and correctly remove the perished polish using the solvents, whilst retaining as much of the original surface character as possible.

  • You will learn how to quickly and safely remove stains and marks from a polished surface, like coffee cup rings or water marks, without needing to completely re-polish.

  • You will learn how to remove stains and marks that have penetrated deep into the wood under the polished surface like ink, wine and oil.

  • You will learn how to flawlessly fill small and large gaps and holes.

  • Using our unique staining system you will learn how to flawlessly disguise restoration repairs so they blend in perfectly with the rest of the piece, achieving an invisible restoration repair. For example: newly inserted veneer patches, a replaced chair leg or table leaf. We will also look at the many expensive stains that you should avoid using.

  • You will learn about finishing varnishes, in particular shellac and French polish. You will learn which varnishes to use for different types of work and which finishing varnishes to avoid all together.

  • You will learn how to make and use the perfect polishing rubber, the indispensible tool used to apply shellac polish.

  • You will learn how to produce a beautiful wax finish. Which wax polishes to use for different types of work and which wax polishes to avoid all together.

  • You will learn to recognise many of the different types of timber used to make antique furniture.

  • You will learn how the different timbers used to make antique furniture bleach and age over time. You will learn the correct colours each of the different woods should be and how to simulate the bleaching and aging process using our safe and effective bleaching system.

  • You will learn how to produce a wonderful French polish finish as well as individual Polishing systems for the restoration of 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th century furniture.

  • You will learn the importance of original surfaces and how to preserve them.

  • You will learn how to spot a fake; recognise the age and originality of a piece of antique furniture.

  • You will learn what not to do also which polishing products and secret old formulas to avoid using.

  • We will provide a list of polishing materials and a choice of good suppliers.

  • Health and safety advice regarding all topics listed above.

  • We will provide a reading list to learn more.

WHERE THIS COURSE IS HELD & ACCOMMODATION

This course is held near the centre of the beautiful cathedral city of Exeter within easy reach of the M5 motorway, railway stations and airport.

During the spring and summer months we have available our new marquee workspace so exercises involving the use of solvents can be practiced in greater safety and comfort.

Please see the Places to Stay section.

THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE COURSE TUTORS

The first tutor is Peter Thomson. Over forty years ago after serving his apprenticeship in the family business, Peter completed his training at West Dean College, receiving a B.A.D.A diploma in the conservation and restoration of fine antique furniture. This sparked off a great love for antique furniture that culminated in the privilege of being asked to conserve and restore some of the finest antique furniture in the world. In 1980 Peter was invited to teach in the USA and later in the UK.

Previous clients include The National Trust, Sotheby’s, the Jordanian royal family, museums, private collectors and antique dealers in Britain and America.

Having run a successful restoration business for many years, he is very well qualified to supply the expertise required for those wishing to set up a restoration business of their own.

The second Tutor is Josie Thomson. She completed her training with distinction 14 years ago, a master craftswoman, specialising in refinishing and French Polishing techniques.Her ability to render a difficult antique furniture repair invisible is unsurpassed.


DATES FOR THIS COURSE

9th to 13th June 2025
8th to 12th September 2025

FEES & BOOKING

The course runs on Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm - Lunch - then from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with tea breaks at 11.00 am and 4.00 pm.

TOTAL COST: £495 INCLUDING TUITION, A SIMPLE LUNCH, TEA & COFFEE EACH DAY, 2 WEEK HOME STUDY COURSE SECTION, COURSE MANUAL & ALL MATERIALS. A DEPOSIT OF £150 IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE TO SECURE YOUR COURSE PLACE.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course please call Peter Thomson on: +44(0)1392 432 786 or enquire via our Contact Page.

We provide an attractive Gift Card with an enclosed course voucher that makes one of our courses the perfect birthday or other present.

Photos below show furniture being french polished using the techniques you will learn on this course

Music box after polishing

Box before & after

Music box before polishing Music box

Pictures below: a fine music box being french polished using techniques learnt on this course

French polishing music box Antique music box

Photo below: 19th century table & coromandel box being refinished using the techniques learnt on this course.

Antique table Coromandel box

Photos below: French polishing techniques from this course used to finish a fire place, wall panelling & servery, a commission carried out by us

French polished fireplace Wood servery Painting wood servery Servery wood panelling French Polishing music box
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