French Polishing Passes

[TOMARTOM]

I have taken the plunge and applied the first coat of shellac on a coffee table.

I have been instructed to make 3 passes
1. Small circular motions
2. rub along the grain
3. Accross the grain

All was going well except when I applied the first coat I ,may have put too much shellac into the rubber as when i applied the circular motion i was left with 'half circles on the wood. What have I done wrong, and how do i fix it?

and do I do one pass in the circular motion at any onr time or do I do more than one pass in the circular motion before moving on to pass two.

The shellac is orange shellac and I made it up as per the instructions on the packet.

Also when do I rub the wood down with sanpaper and what gri?

Assistance is appreciated


Thanks

Tony V

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[ubeaut]

Tom - I really don't want to appear rude but no 10 line answer on a bulletin board will fix the problem you have.

It is called lack of expertise and knowledge. You need a good book or a video or some hands on help from a genuine French polisher. I say genuine because most so called french polishers today are not French polishers at all. They are finishers. There is a difference. Many can do a French polish after a fashion but few can do it properly.

The above statement will probably land me in the poo up to my ears with polishers, but it is a fact. If you don't believe me ask a polisher what a vitreol finish is. If he/she can tell you what it is, ask for a few lessons because you have found one. If not you have found a finisher, not a polisher.

Don't get me wrong finishers are wonderful people with fantastic expertise and great knowledge. They are also the most important part of any woodworking job because it is their work that is the first thing seen and touched on a piece. [Enough of the dribble Neil.

"A Polishers Handbook" will help you. It is written by a really nice bloke who really knows his stuff. Click here and then on the link to the book.

Sorry about the rant and rave. Hope this is of some help.

Cheers - Neil

[Shane Watson]

Neil I am going to contradict you.

I am qualified as a 'French Polisher'. I also know what a vitreol finish is. But I still really am only a lowly finisher. So don't go asking me for any lessons on French Polishing!

Any polisher that dosn't agree with your comments Neil has there head in the poo! Cause your spot on! Hell I am a finisher and I agree.

Anyway, Best thing you could do for yourself if your keen on learning this art is to track down a reputible course instructed by a reputible tutor. Videos & Books are good, but nothing can better that hands on method of learning.

The problem being in trying to answer this quiery lies in the fact that several things could have caused your problems and to address them all is difficult. Sure ask different people and they may offer there own theory, but all points will no doubt need to be addressed.

Traditionally the 'First' Coat (coating-in/Skinning-in) Was either done using a mop brush or a swooge ( which is just really a rubber, polishers will acquire many rubbers used for different stages in the polishing process )charged to almost dripping stage. This process uses long gentle strokes without stopping, the length of the panel, as opposed to circles, figure 8's etc.

The next coat 'Fadding-in' is when you start to incorparate circles, figure 8's, long U's etc. But this step really isn't essential.

Then 'Skinning-in' etc etc etc....

Its just to much to cover here. I have seen a lot of web sites that try to explain it as well and they all fall well short.

HTH

Cheers!



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Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

[TOMARTOM]

Thanks both Neil and Shane for your thoughts. I will certainly consider the purchase of this book and also put in a lot of practice to develop an improved finish.


Thanks again


Tony V