Moulding finish needs protection

[Rozmataz]

I have been working with a customer on some custom frames for mirrors in their new home.

They are actually getting the frames from me and their mirror-guy is doing the inserting/installing... but as I was working on the frames I realized one has a rather delicate finish and if scratched is near impossible to repair the scratch. I was sharing this concern when they came to pick it up - that the mirror guy needs to be very careful as to the surface he works on not having any debris, etc.

Oddly the customer who is very aware, careful and detail oriented, as I am - was thinking the same thing.

It is LJ457904. I just tried an experiment of my own. I tried some spray shellac on it and although it is shiny (all I had on hand) it seemed to do the trick.

Has anyone done anything like this before and have other recommendations that I can pass on to the customer. I really don't want to get into "refinishing" frames, as is being discussed in a similar thread!

Thanks,

Roz

 

[ScottK]

Roz: Using shellac is just fine. You could knock the gloss down by using some 4 oooo steelwool and buff it out a bit. Gives it that hand-rubbed look and feel and doesn't take very long.

 

[Val]

What about a matte-finish shellac?

You're right Roz, that particular moulding scratches like crazy. I finally pulled the samples off the wall, it was so bad. Nice look, but more trouble than it was worth. It can be retouched, I used acrylic paint, but sure a time-taker-upper, and I would tack on extra labor charge. Still not worth it.Just my opinion.

 

[Jim Miller]

I have used clear acrylic spray for that purpose, which comes in gloss, semi-gloss, satin, matte, flat, bumpy -- you name it.

I'm guessing a lot of the finishes used on mouldings these days may have acrylic content, but not sure.

 

[Whynot]

Jim,

Can you give me the name of the manufacturer of the satin and mat spary that you use? Thank you.