Alan Tracy French Polishers
Est. 1959
It is over 60 years since Mr E J Tracy started his French polishing business in London after he took a temporary job as a French polisher in the Piano Trade. Where perfection and high standards were the norms. Quick soon became permanent due to a natural talent and liking for the trade and “Tracy’s polishers” was established in 1959.
During that time Mr E J Tracy passed all his expert knowledge on to his son Alan Tracy who worked closely with him for over 25 years. Mr E J Tracy has now retired and Alan Tracy is continuing under his new trading name ALAN TRACY LTD along with all the polishers from his father’s business. Some of who have been with him for 20/30 years!
Traditional French Polishing
Antique Furniture Restoration
French Polishing
When undertaking the stripping and re-French polishing of various items of furniture/wood. We are able to complete this work in situ i.e. in your home/office or on-site. This enables us to keep the costs down and is recommended for the french polishers to obtain the correct colour and finish in its surrounding environment. It also gives peace of mind to clients who can then see the step-by-step process of bringing their furniture back to its original former glory. We have also been informed that many clients find this a fascinating process to watch. All our polishers carry new plastic and dust sheets in order to make sure all surrounding flooring/furniture items are protected for your peace of mind.
On the home page video clip from a school. You can see the whole floor area has been protected prior to commencing any work. Two of our longest serving polishers can be seen hand sanding these tables following them having been chemically stripped prior to this process. The polisher in the forefront of the clip has been working with Tracy’s polishers for over 40 years. The tables and benches were finished using a two-pack lacquer.
If an item needed a hard sanding we would use a festal random orbital sander. This would eliminate any dust as this is collected within the dust extraction system making it perfect to use in all locations.
In the pictures of the painted staircase and doors. All the surrounding areas were protected entirely before hand-stripping the wood. This was completed using a traditional paint stripper and wire wool. The following processes were then applied as follows: neutralise, bleach clean with oxalic acid, lightly sand by hand and 3 coats of traditional beeswax were then used to give the staircase and doors a beautiful smooth natural finish. The treads were applied with an Osmo oil to give a tough durable finish.
The front door pictures can be seen as before and after. The process involved in these doors was to chemically strip back to the bare wood. Using a stripper and wire wool they were lightly sanded and 4 coats of a high-quality boat yacht varnish were applied giving it the utmost protection for repelling water.
Testimonials
“How pleased both the principals and myself are with the quality of workmanship and with the willingness of the person involved.”
Bank of England, Gold & Foreign Exchange Office, Threadneedle Street, EC
“We were extremely pleased with the results of both the rooms which you attended to and I am grateful for your advice about the future care and maintenance of the panelling.”
Carpenters Company, Carpenters hall, Throgmorton Avenue, EC2
“The board table and servery credenzas look great.”
Freshfields, Fleet Street, EC4
“Just a quick note to say how pleased and impressed we were with the way you and your team responded to our urgent request for a replacement piece to the dining table. It just reminds one of how good and important it is to work with companies like yours.”
ICI, Millbank, SW1
