If it was me I’d try a tiny spot of superglue which should be transparent when it cures and should stabilise it.
I expect someone else will be along with a better suggestion though!
Repairing chips in (shellac?) finish
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Jun 4, 2022
0
#2
I doubt if it’s shellac, I haven’t seen shellac chip like that. Antique sets are usually shellac but I don’t think modern sets are.
If it was me I’d try a tiny spot of superglue which should be transparent when it cures and should stabilise it.
I expect someone else will be along with a better suggestion though!
If it was me I’d try a tiny spot of superglue which should be transparent when it cures and should stabilise it.
I expect someone else will be along with a better suggestion though!
Jun 5, 2022
0
#3
A few thoughts come to mind.
One option would be trying to partially dissolve the varnish or soften the shellac and then spreading it over the chipped area so that it’s basically re-coated with the original. You might do this with alcohol or acetone but you would have to test on a part of the piece that is not visible, under the felt for example.
Another idea would be as mentioned, using something like superglue.
Another option might be using something like clear nail polish.
If you use super glue or nail polish, first experiment on something you don’t care about. Another piece of light wood or even the side of a manila folder for example. Remember the old folders we used to have when we had actual real-life filing cabinets? Paint on some clear nail polish or superglue, maybe a few square inches or centimeters. Then see how the color has changed on the test piece. Is it darker or is it the same? Does the color shift match in tone what you’re looking for? You could even practice filing, sanding and polishing the experiment just to see what it takes to get it where you want it. All before you actually lay a finger on the actual piece.
I would probably do something like that to start and see what answers I get. Proceed from there rather than just guessing, shooting in the dark.
Food for Thought.
I hope that helps. Good luck.
Three of the white (boxwood) pieces in my main set have chips in the finish that go down to bare wood. These are all small and barely show in use, unless you know where to look, and get close. But I can't help *but* see the darn things now I found them!
The black pieces are ebony and have a completely different finish. A handful have tiny dents which don't show unless the light is angled just right - so they're not a problem.
But the chips in the white pieces look like the sort that could grow in normal use, so I'd like to try and "stabilise" them, at least. Of course, I'd prefer to disappear them entirely, if I can.
The worst dented black piece for comparison. I'm not bothered about this at all - just fair wear and tear (set bought 2nd-hand)
Is that a shellac finish on the white pieces? I have some blond shellac flakes and alcohol, Perhaps a really thick (syrupy) cut could "fill" the holes (several spot applications to build a thick layer), then smooth and buff down to finish? Perhaps not. I'm mainly worried about irreversibly discoloring the underlying timber which would show even worse! I'd rather live with the chips and simply protect them a bit with paste-wax if that's a likely outcome. Any ideas? Thanks.
The set is a HoS Herman Steiner Series, Piatigorsky Cup set - if that's any help. I got no reply from HoS (yet)...