| What is it about a shine that is so appealing? Why do | | | | This is a surface of value, this is something that is |
| we like a shiny surface, what is it telling us that's so | | | | being cared for, looked after, cherished. And a genuine |
| special about it. I know that shiny causes more | | | | shiny surface that has been involved in this kind of |
| problems than almost anything else in this workshop. I | | | | human contact still has that psychological power. |
| also know that it is not just our workshop that hasn't | | | | However the truth is that most of us can get shiny |
| solved this one yet. I have just spoken to Jon | | | | really quick. Even though the bonnet of my clients |
| Greenwood a former student of mine who works for | | | | Aston Martin has a "better" straight from the gun shine |
| a company that makes for Silver Lining Furniture a | | | | than any surface I could make it is not the same thing. |
| prestigious top of the line workshop. Jon had just | | | | Straight from the gun melamine lacquer is one that we |
| returned from Cheshire after a spell "knocking back" | | | | see almost everywhere. This is industrial shining. I find it |
| poly lacquer at Silver Lining. | | | | almost repulsive and I find it even more repulsive when |
| "We've been sanding poly down with small hand | | | | I see it on top of the line handmade furniture. |
| blocks to get it dead flat then applying the last coat | | | | I can understand why we do it. Even without a whole |
| leaving it four days and then flattening with 1000 grit | | | | load of kits like spray booths and guns it is possible to |
| and finishing with Auto Glym wax". "What! Why can't | | | | get the lacquer to look OK. Two coats of melamine |
| you get a finish off the gun." was my question "They | | | | even hand applied will dry pretty level. This can be |
| have tried but don't seem to get it good enough". | | | | knocked back with a block and 320 abrasive than |
| Flattening lacquer with 1000 grit must be a heart | | | | 0000 wire wool and waxed and you are pretty well |
| breaking soul destroying occupation, but I know why | | | | there. This is the easy finish, the easy shine that most |
| they are doing it. | | | | of us go for these days. And doing anything better |
| Shine is a psychological, a shiny surface evokes the | | | | than that involves work as Jon Greenwood has just |
| polishing of 1000 housemaids over millions of years. | | | | found out. |