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Hi all,

Firstly I wasn't sure if I should post this elsewhere but please feel free to remove if it is in the wrong place.

I was asked to restore an old athletics plaque, found in storage, by a local primary school. The plaque is an athletics award from the 1930's and was in very poor condition.

The school has their 100th anniversary next year and were wanting to have it on display along with other old memorabilia they are finding in storage.

I wanted to try as much as possible to keep the patina and feel of the original plaque so did no sanding.

First I removed the silver.

As I didn't know what the remnants of finish were I first used paint stripper then lightly rubbed it back with methylated spirit and a scotchbrite pad just to remove any finish that remained (not the wood).

I then applied about 50 coats of shellac with a tiny amount of stain added with a rubber.
This sounds a lot but it goes on fast when you use a rubber to apply.

When the shellac finish had hardened I applied a good furniture wax.

I soaked the silver in Coke for a few hours and then used a good metal polish on an electric toothbrush to clean before reaffixing them to the plaque.

Thanks for looking

Gallery

Comments

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Very good work there Iceman.

Now extend your left or right arm out straight in front of you, palm uppermost, fingers extended, then swing vigoursly bending your arm from the elbow as many times as you think necessary.

After that is done please tell me what the shellac and rubber is all about?

I remember my Mother using a product called Goddards silver dip that will clean obviously silver, not sure if its still available, but I remember it working very well. So I dropped a few merinos in it and boy did they shine after!
 

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Shellec;
shellac |SHəˈlak|
noun
lac resin melted into thin flakes, used for making varnish.
It's what is used in French Polishing.

A rubber or rubbing pad is basically a ball of wadding wrapped in calico material which is used to apply the Shellac.



Very good work there Iceman.

Now extend your left or right arm out straight in front of you, palm uppermost, fingers extended, then swing vigoursly bending your arm from the elbow as many times as you think necessary.

After that is done please tell me what the shellac and rubber is all about?

I remember my Mother using a product called Goddards silver dip that will clean obviously silver not sure if its still available, but I remember it working very well. So I dropped a few merinos in it and boy did they shine after!

- robscastle
 

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OK got it! its the name of the pad as opposed to actual rubber, which I initally thought it was.
 

· In Loving Memory
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You have done great work to bring that back David, would be really appreciated by the school. Sounds like a lot of work but you must be satisfied with the end result. Well done.
 

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That come up an absolute treat David,

who would that thought that crusty old plaque would so beautiful after some expert TLC…

Top Job Sir.

PS - Which school please?
 

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The school is Kurmond Public School in North West Sydney, New South Wales Australia mate. (for the non locals)

That come up an absolute treat David,

who would that thought that crusty old plaque would so beautiful after some expert TLC…

Top Job Sir.

PS - Which school please?

- crowie
 

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Thank you!
Can you make out the names on the shields David and if so are the families still in the area?
 

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There are not individual names just of the schools, but the dates are 1938, 39, 40 and 41 with three blank, I am thinking that may be due to WW2?
Thank you!
Can you make out the names on the shields David and if so are the families still in the area?

- crowie
 

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Very good work! You brought it back to life. Well done !
 

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I then applied about 50 coats of shellac with a tiny amount of stain added with a rubber.
This sounds a lot but it goes on fast when you use a rubber to apply.
- icemanhank
I bow to you, master iceman'Yoda. Mere mortals cannot appreciate what a good shellacking can do to a work of art.
I have had the fortune to be instructed (I won't use educated, as I am still a novice) by someone, not quite as good looking as me, but a master shellacker. I posted a video of his method but it seemed to have gotten little reaction and feedback, which makes me believe most are complacent about the genuine art of… French Polishing...

I for one appreciate the extra effort you put into this project.

Checked out your video link and it is one of few legitimate ones that profess some factual knowledge of FP...
I will reciprocate and draw your attention to this video that I have hidden among my abundance of verbal diarrhea… a lot of those "I'm not gonna tell ya" tales are UNcovered in it… its bloody long but in installments, a few beers and some jerky (sorry, 'cause I can)... could enlighten some (without the jerky)... or give you a good night sleep.
 

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Wow!
looks great!
 

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wow i agree that came out beautiful,nice restoration iceman.
 

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OK I had a look at the LBD produced video and it contains quite a lot of interesting information for the French Polisher (should be on youtube) Looks to be well worthwile even with out the jerky!

Love the monogramed AK rule!
 

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OK I had a look at the LBD produced video and it contains quite a lot of interesting information for the French Polisher (should be on youtube) Looks to be well worthwile even with out the jerky!

Love the monogramed AK rule!

I also reckon that when its returned there will be a MID in the school newsletter
 

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OK I had a look at the LBD produced video and it contains quite a lot of interesting information for the French Polisher (should be on youtube) Looks to be well worthwile even with out the jerky!
- robscastle
Love the monogramed AK rule!
- robscastle
[/QUOTE]
I cry Uncle... Read the video 4 times yet I couldn't see any reference to King AK!

Kaboshed with the Internet Gremlins… this is not what I intended to post

This post is totally screwed…

I'm in the process of rewriting so come back later and see my wotrds of in-wisdom.
 
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