I’ve been doing some reading up on shellac and how its used. A basic question, what’s the difference between French Polish and just rubbing out a finish, in this case shellac.
I read about the differences in the process, I think I understand that. I’m more curious on what’s the difference in final appearance. Also if there is anything else between the two that is different, durability for instance.
Replies
In French Polishing since you use a rubber to apply the shellac and you are continually adding small thin layers to the surface. While doing this the rubber may tend to stick to the surface so raw linseed oil is used to prevent this from happening. At this point the only difference to the shellac process is that you are padding on for a french polish as opposed to brushing the shellac.
The polishing part comes when it is time to remove the oil from the surface of the piece. You change the rubber to only alcohol and continue the polishing process to remove the oil from the surface and clean the collected oil from the rubber.
It is the action of the rubber that polishes the surface while removing the oil. As opposed to just rubbing out a shellac finish.
At the end of the process the rubber is basically a clean pad,very little alcohol, and the surface has a brilliant polish with no streaks. And you have not used any sort of rubbing compound or abrasive, just the rubber.
J.P.
I understand the process. What I'm asking is if what the differences are to the final appearence. And is one more durable than the other.
A French polished finish will be high gloss. If you rub it out, it will be satin.Gretchen
The finish is not as durable as a polyurethane or varnish. But it has a depth and clarity that if done properly is un-matched by most other finishes. Very high gloss or can be toned downed depending on the technique.Edit: The difference is that with a French Polish the pores are filled completley and the overall appearance is one of great depth and clairity.If you just use shellac, without filling the grain, the depth and clairity is good but not the same as a French Polish. Although you can use wax after you rubout a plain shellac finish, it really is not as fine or glossy as the French Polish. The durability is about the same as they are both shellac finishes.J.P.http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com
Edited 5/6/2005 9:49 pm ET by j.p.
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