FRENCH POLISHING

“French polishing is a highly esteemed technique that has been used for centuries by skilled wood french polishers to obtain a smooth and lustrous finish on wooden surfaces.”

This traditional method is still widely used today. It can be applied to wooden objects, including furniture, doors, and floors. Using a combination of shellac, alcohol, and oil, the French polishing process creates a deep, rich colour and a glass-like shine that is unmatched by any other method. It requires great patience, skill, and attention to detail, but the results are truly stunning. They can transform an ordinary piece of wood into a work of art.

Professional French Polishing Technique

There are many different techniques used in professional French polishing, but the following are some of the most important:

• Preparing the wood surface: The wood surface should be sanded smooth and free of dust and debris. Any open grain should be filled with a mixture of shellac polish and pumice powder.
• Making the rubbing pad: The rubbing pad is made of absorbent cotton or wool cloth wadding inside of a piece of fabric (usually soft cotton cloth). It should be firm but not stiff.
• Charging the rubbing pad: The rubbing pad is charged with shellac polish by dripping a small amount of polish onto the center of the pad and then rubbing it in with the fingers.
• Applying the polish: The polish is applied to the wood surface in a circular or figure-eight motion, working in the direction of the wood grain. The pressure should be light and even.
• Building up the finish: The finish is built up by applying many thin coats of polish. Each coat should be allowed to dry completely before applying the next.
• Spiriting off: Spiriting off is a technique used to remove any imperfections in the finish. It is done by applying a small amount of denatured alcohol to the rubbing pad and then rubbing it over the surface of the wood.