This is a post in a series of 31 Days of Wood Finishing. See the intro post with all the topics here.
When I French polish I first mix my shellac flakes with denatured alcohol. About 4 oz. of flakes to 1 pt. of denatured alcohol. This is a good thickness for french polishing. Leave the flakes immersed in the alcohol overnight.
The next day the finish should be ready. After shaking it up, you can use a strainer to pour it into a squeeze bottle for easy dispensing.
I then take a wad of cheesecloth, about the size of a golf ball, and wrap it in a piece of T shirt cloth. Make a tight ball in your hand. This pad is called a “rubber“.
Soak the rubber in alcohol, and add shellac from your bottle. The pad should be wet like dog’s nose.
Make sure that you lightly scuff, or sand the piece of wood, and wear your respirator.
I start by going with the grain overlapping, coating the top for the first coat, then I start in with circles, and figure eights. Whatever feels comfortable. If the finish starts to stick I add a drop or two of mineral oil. When the finish is dry the mineral oil will come to the top, and then you have to use a lightly soaked alcohol rag to wipe it off. You have to go with the grain to do this, and it is called “spiriting off“.
Don’t stop the rag on the finish it will leave a mark. Touch down, and lift off. Think of an airplane. You continue to polish until the finish looks good to you. After doing this for a long time you will have a trained eye, and know you are done.
It is best to watch a trained pro do this. There are also videos you can watch that can help. Youtube comes to mind. This skill takes practice, so don’t give up if you are having trouble.
Zeke Willard