I used the recent article in FW about French Polishing as a guide for my first try at this technique. While there are lots of steps, it doesn’t seem to be as horrible as some make it out too be. Anyway, for the ‘spiriting off’ part, I’m just wondering if there is any really good way to know when you’re done. I don’t want to take off the shellac, but I understand this is the part where the real ‘polishing’ is done, so I don’t want to stop too early either. Suggestions?
Also, I was a little confused because the article states that during spiriting off, you should repeatedly wash out the linen w/ alcohol, but he also says that the linen/rubber will start to get dry. Maybe I’m washing it too often?
I’m trying this out on a piece of scrap maple, about 3 ft x 8 in, and I’d say I went over it maybe 6-8 times with the rubber during spiriting off, and I washed out the linen after every couple of passes.
Thanks for any advice.
One other thing… Is there a good trick to mixing accurate 1lb or 2lb cuts of shellac? I can measure the amount of alcohol, but I don’t have a scale, so I just kind of estimate the amount of flakes to use.
Edited 3/28/2003 11:58:20 AM ET by Idiopathy
Replies
Idiopathy,
About the measurement of the shellac flakes....the old saying helps:
"A pints a pound the world around"
>> A pints a pound the world around
An American pint of water is a pound, more or less. An Imperial pint of water is 1.25 pounds, more or less. A pint of shellac flakes, either American or Imperial, is not a pound.
I'd recommend buying a scale. I believe inexpensive mechanical postage scales are still available at office supply stores.
I think it is Freedom Polishing now isn't it?
I_,
As to how to mix various strengths of shellac: I always just use a dry measure. If what I wind up with is too thick I add some more alcohol; if it's too thin I add some more shellac. I'm not convinced that having it exactly anything really matters; if it works, it's right. Using the dry measure is certainly lots simpler--and after all, I'm not making rocket fuel.
Alan
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