Why do they call it French polishing?

Shellac was confined to the Far East until traders introduced it to Europe in the 1700s; however it wasn't until the 18th century that the technique of using shellac was refined by the French - hence 'French Polishing'.

What does the term French polishing mean?

French polishing is a wood finishing technique that results in a very high gloss surface, with a deep colour and chatoyancy. French polishing consists of applying many thin coats of shellac dissolved in denatured alcohol using a rubbing pad lubricated with one of a variety of oils.

Who invented French polish?

French polishing is the name given to the technique used to apply Shellac. This traditional technique was invented by the Martin Brothers in France C1835. It was brought over to Britain for The Great Exhibition in 1850-53.

What is the difference between French polish and button polish?

French polish is available in many different shades and you can even colour your own using powder spirit stains. Button polish, for example, is yellowish in colour, deriving its name from the large discs or 'buttons' that it is made from.

What does French polish do to wood?

French polish is not a product. Rather, French polishing is a method of applying shellac to wood furniture, musical instruments, or decorative accents in many thin layers—typically well over 100—that results in a highly glossy, glass-smooth surface with a rich depth that beautifully highlights the grain of the wood.

Spare Parts #14 - French Polishing A Piece Of Red Morrel Burl

Is shellac the same as French polish?

French Polishes are made up from flaked shellac dissolved in methylated spirit. The type of shellac used can vary in colour from a light clear colour to a dark brown colour. Special Pale French Polish is a de-waxed Shellac and is suitable for use on both light and dark woods.

Can I varnish over French polish?

The answer is that French polishing only works with shellac. It surely doesn't work with a varnish (wipe-on poly) or water-based finish. He might be able to figure out a way to do the technique with lacquer, but I think it would be very difficult to avoid serious streaking and drag marks.

Can you sand off French polish?

You can either restore them gently with wax or go right back to the bare wood and start again. When you French polish a piece of furniture, you strip it back to the bare wood with paint stripper and neutralise that with white spirit, and then sand it with increasingly fine grades of sandpaper.

Can I stain over French polish?

Stain the instrument. You can apply oil right on the stain without risk of messing it up. But, you will need to spray a seal coat of shellac if you plan on french polishing from the get go.

What oil do you use for French polish?

Oils Used For French Polishing

The most commonly used oil is probably olive oil. The second would be mineral oil, followed by walnut oil. Different oils have different properties they bring to the finish during application as well as the long term properties of the finish itself.

Is French polish toxic?

The shellac resin used in French polish is naturally occurring and non-toxic. This makes it completely safe for pets and children and makes it less harmful to the environment than modern chemicals.

How do I become a French polisher?

To be a french polisher, you'll need thoroughness and attention to detail, persistence and determination, the ability to come up with new ways of doing things, concentration skills, the ability to work on your own as well as with others, and physical skills such as movement, coordination, dexterity and grace.

What colour is French polish?

This is a rich, medium brown coloured polish which is commonly used on darker timbers such as walnut, oak and mahogany. French polish produces a warm, dark transparent coating which cannot be reproduced by modern synthetic lacquers.

What is a French polish manicure?

What is a French polish? After a base coat has been applied by the therapist/nail technician, a natural pink, beige or nude polish is applied to each nail. Once dry, a neat white tip will be created on each (where each nail separates from the nailbed) using an opaque white varnish or, less commonly, a nail crayon.

Can you paint over French polished wood?

You can paint over varnished wood as long as you use the right materials and painting process. The best paint to use is a water-based acrylic one. If you're using an oil-based paint only use an oil-based primer, not an acrylic one. “Sweet, this means it can be done!

Is French polish waterproof?

Shellac, just as many other finishes, is not waterproof, however, it is quite water resistant. Shellac can easily withstand water for about 4 hours. Even if the surface is not wiped, the resulting faint white stain will still fade away as it dries.

Can you French polish yourself?

The French polish can either be purchased ready to use in a bottle, or mixed yourself. To mix your own, place shellac flakes in a glass jar, add methylated spirits (denatured alcohol) to cover the flakes, and leave for a day, agitating occasionally.

Does French polish darken wood?

It can be applied with a French Polishing mop or with a rubber in accordance with traditional French Polishing techniques, and is suitable for completely obscuring the grain. It will darken all types of wood, and is ideal for use in antique restoration.

How do you fix water marks on French polish?

How much does it cost to French polish a piano?

Pianos requiring an exterior restoration, such as French polishing the woodwork, in addition to the interior restoration will usually fall between $3,000 – $5,000. Pianos that need a total restoration including interior, exterior and structural including re-stringing, will generally be upwards of $5,000.

How do you clean French polished wood?

French-polished items Dust regularly with a soft cloth. Remove sticky marks with a cloth wrung out in a warm, mild solution of soapflakes, taking care not to over-wet. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Use a wax polish occasionally and sparingly.

How long does French polish take to dry?

Using a good quality brush or cloth apply a thin coat of Easy French Polish. Work with the grain of the wood and avoid overlapping between strokes. Allow a drying time of three to four hours between coats.

What is the mix for French polish?

French polish is a mixture of shellac and oil. Little oil is needed; it acts as a lubricant for the shellac.