9 replies to this topic

[Pete Moss]

Hello and excuses if this has been discussed before. I am interested in knowing about French polishing; techniques, materials, repair protocol, compatibility with other finishes, humidity, dry times, etc. While my query is furniture biased I may try this on a violin (that I made). I know there are many ways to do things and would like to read about various methods. So thanks in advance.
pete

[DGerald StephenR]

Hello and excuses if this has been discussed before. I am interested in knowing about French polishing; techniques, materials, repair protocol, compatibility with other finishes, humidity, dry times, etc. While my query is furniture biased I may try this on a violin (that I made). I know there are many ways to do things and would like to read about various methods. So thanks in advance.
pete

This is a good tutorial with answers to some of the questions you had

[carlobartolini]

Hello and excuses if this has been discussed before. I am interested in knowing about French polishing; techniques, materials, repair protocol, compatibility with other finishes, humidity, dry times, etc. While my query is furniture biased I may try this on a violin (that I made). I know there are many ways to do things and would like to read about various methods. So thanks in advance.
pete

Hi Pete, there are a couple of posts from Chemmy that are really wonderful on shellac. He is a living shellac encyclopedia.

Post 23

Post 247

[robertdo]

the main thing I remember reading about french polish is that it takes a good deal of experience to be able to rub a shellac/alcohol solution on a violin without making a mess of it...

[Pete Moss]

Thanks for the great links, Gerald and carlobartolini. I hope you had a nice Canada Day Gerald! And to others, more on the topic please!
pete

[Brad Dorsey]

...I am interested in knowing about French polishing...I may try this on a violin (that I made)...

I think there is some confusion about French polishing violins because the term "French polishing" can have two different meanings:

1. The application of finish, typically shellac dissolved in alcohol, by means of a rubbing pad instead of a brush. This is the way furniture finishers use the term.

2. Rubbing an existing instrument finish with a rubbing pad dampened with alcohol to slightly soften and smooth out the finish. In this sense of the term, no new material is added. Instead, the existing finish is made shiny by smoothing it.

So when we speak of French polishing an instrument, we should be clear which meaning is intended.

[joerobson]

I think there is some confusion about French polishing violins because the term "French polishing" can have two different meanings:
No doubt!

1. The application of finish, typically shellac dissolved in alcohol, by means of a rubbing pad instead of a brush. This is the way furniture finishers use the term.
This is actually a finish.

2. Rubbing an existing instrument finish with a rubbing pad dampened with alcohol to slightly soften and smooth out the finish. In this sense of the term, no new material is added. Instead, the existing finish is made shiny by smoothing it.
This is a surface finishing technique. Works on some surfaces

So when we speak of French polishing an instrument, we should be clear which meaning is intended.
The best description of a workable true french polish is by George Frank. He did an article in Fine Woodworking magazine [here].
If I can find the article I will copy it.
on we go,
Joe

[carlobartolini]

I have George Frank's article, it is also my favorite of the one's I've read, if you can not download it, PM me and I can e-mail it to you.

[duane88]

George Frank is wonderful resource, but he does say that French Polishers are born, not taught, but that you could learn the technique.

I also recall Rene Morel saying that it took 10 years to learn to "properly" French Polish...

[joerobson]

George Frank is wonderful resource, but he does say that French Polishers are born, not taught, but that you could learn the technique.

I also recall Rene Morel saying that it took 10 years to learn to "properly" French Polish...

As I was not born a french polisher, as Mr. Frank suggests, it took a lot of practice to learn...plus there is a lot more real estate on a table than there is on a violin. However, I do not think that traditional French Polish is appropriate for the violin family...too much residual oil in the wood.
on we go,
Joe