The Process Of French Polishing

The process for french polishing is long and tedious.The pad,which is a piece of lint free cotton folded upon itself,and dipped into thinned shellac.In turn the pad is applied to the
surface in question in a rubbing motion.A figure of eight pattern is often used to avoid misses.Progessive coats will have added very fine pumice,to fill the grain.
Various oils such as olive oil,mineral oil are used to determine the durability of the finish.The process is repeated until the desired effect has been achieved.

Although a very tedious process the major advantage of french polishing is the ability to “touch up” damages areas,such as cup ring stains without the need to redo the entire piece.

Examples of High Quality French Polishing

You will some stunning examples of french polishing at http://www.steveshand.co.uk.Further examples of high quality french polishing can also be found at http://french-polisher.com/.This level of skill requires years upon years of training.Experience is the only true way become a master at french polishing.

You will see many more examples on websites such as youtube.com and using the search button.Lessons on french polishing may also be found on youtube,however french polishing is a skill that takes years to master.

Modern French Polishing Techniques

Modern Lacquers

Cellulose lacquer is a tough, quick-drying nitrocellulose based substance that is changing French Polish in the furniture making industry. It was created to be dispersed, but through years of expertise we have enhanced the ability of cleaning lacquer, so we may bring this modern hard-wearing materials to your house or website to polish architectural woodworking or furniture.
Oiling

Oil is an all natural item and permeates the timber to draw out the natural color and enrich the feed. Acrylic shields the wood from within and (when making use of a matt acrylic) can provide the top safety. to an unseen. It is a wonderful complete because it is micro – porous to use to kitchen work areas. What this means is it doesn’t break, flake, skin or sore – and it is soil and water resistant. Wine, cola and food colourings will be even resisted by it.

The art of french polishing

French polishing became notable in the 18th century. In the Victorian age, French polishing was commonly utilized on mahogany and additional expensive hardwoods. It had been regarded the best end for string instruments and good furniture including lutes, pianos and guitars. The process was very labour intensive, and the technique was abandoned by many manufacturers around 1930, preferring the faster and cheaper practices of spray finishing nitrocellulose lacquer and coarse buffing. In Britain, instead of coarse buffing, a fad of “pullover” is used in much the same manner as conventional French polishing. This slightly melts the sprayed surface and gets the consequence of filling the grain and burnishing at once to leave a “French polished” look.

Another reason shellac fell from favour is its inclination to burn under low heat; for example, hot mugs may make marks on it. But, French polish is far more flexible than any other finish in the sense that, unlike lacquers, it can be readily mended.