Replies

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jun 10, 2007 02:30am | #1

   Would he have been using Alcohol, spit coat or mineral spirits?

   Actually, he might have been using any of the above, although mineral spirits is way less likely.

   French polishing is a method of applying shellac using a pad. In general, the shellac is rather thin. Thinned with alcohol - which is the only true solvent for shellac.

   Which means that some might call that thin-ness a "spit coat".

   And when French Polishing, the size of the piece can cause a situation in which the shellac from one stroke is dried before the next (adjacent) stroke is applied. To avoid that, a small amount of a retarder is used. For some, that might be mineral spirits -- but in the case of the finest who do the finest, it is likely a very small amount of linseed oil.

   And the reason that French Polishing is not tremendously common is because it can be very time consuming, and phisically exhausting. The pad does not glide like a paintbrush. It drags quite a bit, because each coat is dissolving and bonding with the previous coat.

   But the result is well worth the effort. Look up some articles, or get a book. Try it, you'll like it.

    

    

    

    

    

    

   Support our Troops. Bring them home. Now.  And pray that at least some of the buildings in the green zone have flat roofs, with a stairway.

1. 
   highfigh | Jun 10, 2007 04:13am | #2

   Thanks for the info. I did do a search here and there's more about FP than I would have thought. Technically, this isn't the first time I have tried it. Last fall, I did a few samples but instead of letting them dry naturally, I had a fan blowing on them and while they flashed over quickly, it took a longer time to dry. I put more coats on than I really needed for maple and that cause it's own issues. Wet sanding made it look better than glass, though. The very first time I did anything like it was when I had a party and someone spilled some of their drink on my cedar chest and it affected the finish. That clued me in on what the finish was and I wiped over it quickly with an alcohol dampened cloth to even it out. Did the job, even if it's not "French Polished" and never was. I'll just keep practicing and when I'm good enough, I'll consider it another part of my skill set.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   Pondfish | Jun 10, 2007 03:08pm | #3

   Try the french polish in a can from Zinsser; its additives mimic the use of mineral oil without the work.  I haven't used it (though I pad shellac all the time), but others who did liked the results, and it is easy.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
3. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 10, 2007 06:37pm | #4

   >> ke last night on a PBS show about Windsor Castle, where the Head French Polisher was going over a table with long end-to-end strokes.

   He may be a "french polisher" but he was not using the french polishing technique. The long, end to end application method is called "padding". French polishing uses a sort of circular or figure eight motion with the addition of some oil. Padding is a sort of faster, but very slightly less attractive finish. Both padding and french polishing produce thin, highly clear and smooth finishes.

   Padding is an excellent way to apply shellac. It is used both for creating an total finish and is frequently used to refinish and rehabilitate an old finish.

   Howie.........
1. 
   Kevin | Jun 10, 2007 08:29pm | #5

   I've used padding to facilitate lacquer repairs under very specific conditions before. It's definitely a handy technique to know and is pretty simple too.

2. 
   highfigh | Jun 10, 2007 09:27pm | #6

   On reading about FP techniques, he may have been "spriting off" the dingy surface. It was an old table, probably close to 150 years, and looked like ebony veneer. No closeups but from the reflection, it is well cared for.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."