Well for a man from the USA very well done 👍 most demos I see from the USA is 60% introduction 20% “look how good I am “ and 20% poor content, you are 100% perfect 🤩
I am not a specialist in polishing I am a furniture maker and find it the most luxurious finish for furniture. It is something you have to do and get a feel for and practice and then it becomes natural to you. You can do shellac finish without polishing and that looks really nice as well.
I found this very helpful. I have watched other much longer videos, inc. one of FPing guitars in five or six long parts. Its is however useful to a quick summary. Having now refinished two quite valuable items (first went well - beginners luck - second I had to sand down several times) what I have learnt is that although it can be a bit scary and that one can make what looks a real mess of the application, the fact that one can re-work shellac (sand it down, spirit off, add coats, polish it etc.) means that it is quite forgiving provided one is prepared to shrug one's shoulders and do the work and to take it right back if needs be. It is not like a cured finish where if one gets it wrong the only option is to take it all off.
This is the clearest and most concise video on the subject I've seen. Although I've been French Polishing for over 45 years, I learned something new here; which is that you can add turpentine to the shellac for more lubricity. A quick shake brings separated mixtures together. Great time-saving tip!
I loved your response! At 76, a woodworker for 56 years, I understand what you write about. But let's face it: how many people know what the Hell 'lubricity' means? We're on the threshold of an era in which we'll be forgotten, or remembered as an old school worker who knew what they were doing. One day all this plasticity, as I call it, will overwhelm the foolish people who've embraced it; then they're going to have doubts... Too late!!
First video that shows the materials, thanks. Very helpful and thorough. There are many varieties of shellac out there. I already have some seal coat, so I'm going to give it a try.
Ok, I will give it one more try now. I struggle making perfect finish, it does take considerable practice, patience and experimenting. I've been trying on a same surface for about a month.
Hi Michael. Thanks for your video. I'm new to French polishing and a friend's dresser that she mentioned wanting polishing brought me here. I'm curious in the first few steps what the reason for wetting the core with alcohol prior to adding the polish mix is? Is it to prevent the polish mixture from going tacky too quickly? Thanks.
Hello. Thank you for the great video! I have a question... I applied a dye then pure tung oil finish on a piece of wood. I realized the oil finish is duller than I expected. I want to add a slight sheen. Do you know if a French polish with shellac would work? Just gotta wait a month or two for the tung oil to cure first?
Is this the correct finish to use on a light grey ( ebonized ) piece of wood. Seems every time I apply a finish it wets and darkens the wood to the point I loose the grey finish. Was going to wet sand then apply this.
+idealmethod if you want to keep the color of the wood in tact, be sure to use a clear finish. even shellac comes in different shades (like amber) of staining (as well as other finishes and finish mixtures). naturally, any liquid put onto wood would make it look differently. check if the amount of luster/sheen is appropriate. i don't see yer wood since it's not clearly shown, but i'm trying to state as much obvious as needed, even if this post is rather old. also don't wet sand until after you apply a finish; it'll fuck up the wood. water + raw wood = water logging/swelling.
French polish is typically done with a 2 pound cut or even sometimes 1 pound cut. The store bought Zinsser stuff comes as a 3 pound cut. You can dilute it with alcohol for the desired consistency.
@@Avidcomp Shellac is the liquid that get used. French polish is the method that is used to get the shellac to build up into layers that give a reflection. You could put on shellac and just leave it and it would not be french polishing. With Shellac you can apply and then polish and sheen it but it would not be french polishing but would be something halfway between. Experiment to see what you like.
You lost me when I saw the can of shellac. No point in watching the rest of the video if you will not mix your own shellac. That tells me everything I need to know about your skillset.
No one I've ever seen, heard or read knows more than this gentleman.
This is why youtube is so great. Clear instructions simply put together.
Well for a man from the USA very well done 👍 most demos I see from the USA is 60% introduction 20% “look how good I am “ and 20% poor content, you are 100% perfect 🤩
This man could be narrating a bed time story. That voice is very soothing. And the video was very good.
That was awesome didn't have to watch a hour long video, he was straight to the point and did a excellent job of explaining..Thank-you !
I am not a specialist in polishing I am a furniture maker and find it the most luxurious finish for furniture. It is something you have to do and get a feel for and practice and then it becomes natural to you. You can do shellac finish without polishing and that looks really nice as well.
Pleasant voice and very well explained. Very enjoyable to listen to.
Very informative
Men that what I call Mastering .... the best explanation and tips for a French polishing on you tube so far many. thank you very much. appreciated
Thanks for the tips needed it for my dt homework👍
Excellent explanation what a kind and pleasant gentleman
Extremely helpfull, thank you!
This is the best video I’ve found on YT concerning french polishing. The tips on what to do when it goes wrong were a lifesaver. Thank you!
Great video with some important tips. Thank you.
Best introduction to this lost art form I have heard.
Thanks for the brilliant video. I love French Polish 👍
That is the best instructional video of any kind I have ever seen.
Excellent...no messing about, straight to the job....cheers!
Best video ever on French polishing. Exellent clear and concise
Great video, wishing everyone good luck with their projects!
I found this very helpful. I have watched other much longer videos, inc. one of FPing guitars in five or six long parts. Its is however useful to a quick summary. Having now refinished two quite valuable items (first went well - beginners luck - second I had to sand down several times) what I have learnt is that although it can be a bit scary and that one can make what looks a real mess of the application, the fact that one can re-work shellac (sand it down, spirit off, add coats, polish it etc.) means that it is quite forgiving provided one is prepared to shrug one's shoulders and do the work and to take it right back if needs be. It is not like a cured finish where if one gets it wrong the only option is to take it all off.
This is the clearest and most concise video on the subject I've seen.
Although I've been French Polishing for over 45 years, I learned something new here; which is that you can add turpentine to the shellac for more lubricity. A quick shake brings separated mixtures together. Great time-saving tip!
I loved your response!
At 76, a woodworker for 56 years, I understand what you write about.
But let's face it: how many people know what the Hell 'lubricity' means? We're on the threshold of an era in which we'll be forgotten, or remembered as an old school worker who knew what they were doing.
One day all this plasticity, as I call it, will overwhelm the foolish people who've embraced it; then they're going to have doubts... Too late!!
Oh man ! Very rich voice and style of explanation,pleased to watch the vid
What an excellent intro, Michael! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.
Marty Schlosser 5
First video that shows the materials, thanks. Very helpful and thorough. There are many varieties of shellac out there. I already have some seal coat, so I'm going to give it a try.
This is a great technique and very well explained.
Great Michael - clear, thorough, succinct.
You, sir, are BADASS!!! Thank you for this video!
Fantastic! A nice simple explanation, just what I needed. I'm just about to start my first ever french polishing project - re finishing an old clock
This is such a great quick and informative video. We have referred many clients to your video! Thank you ! Thank you!
Fantastic French Polish Primer!
Thank you for a really good video
Ok, I will give it one more try now. I struggle making perfect finish, it does take considerable practice, patience and experimenting. I've been trying on a same surface for about a month.
A great presentation. Informative and reassuring. Thank you so much.
Thanks for the tips!
great idea with turpentine in shellac mix. worked great. thanks
A smooth voice indeed.
Very explanatory, thanks, I'll give it a go.
Many thanks! Now I see that applying it neat is why I've not even been getting a good start, let alone a good finish.
Thanks!
Thank you for showing this I’m going to try this technique on a violin.
An informative and wonderful presentation.
thank you
Excellent video an process. Thanks for sharing
Very good presentation. Thank you.
Anyone: what do you think about adding UNboiled linseed oil as a lubricity additive ? Many thanks for the video.
Wonderful lesson. Thank you very much !
thank you! am less unsure as I begin my first project...
Nice summary
Thank you very much for the video. Also, I love your voice and your accent. :-)
good video friend
Hands of steel damn
Excelent video guy, good tips.
Awesome thanks so much!
Hi Michael. Thanks for your video. I'm new to French polishing and a friend's dresser that she mentioned wanting polishing brought me here. I'm curious in the first few steps what the reason for wetting the core with alcohol prior to adding the polish mix is? Is it to prevent the polish mixture from going tacky too quickly? Thanks.
I never thought of using mineral oil for lubricity. I've heard the wax is a nightmare.
Does it change the colour of the wood please. I have some black dyed chairs and hope shellac won’t leave a brownish hue. Please tell me.
Hello. Thank you for the great video! I have a question... I applied a dye then pure tung oil finish on a piece of wood. I realized the oil finish is duller than I expected. I want to add a slight sheen. Do you know if a French polish with shellac would work? Just gotta wait a month or two for the tung oil to cure first?
Thank you. Can you please tell me what kinds of alcohol can be used other than the denatured alcohol.
Everclear
Is this the correct finish to use on a light grey ( ebonized ) piece of wood. Seems every time I apply a finish it wets and darkens the wood to the point I loose the grey finish. Was going to wet sand then apply this.
+idealmethod if you want to keep the color of the wood in tact, be sure to use a clear finish. even shellac comes in different shades (like amber) of staining (as well as other finishes and finish mixtures). naturally, any liquid put onto wood would make it look differently. check if the amount of luster/sheen is appropriate.
i don't see yer wood since it's not clearly shown, but i'm trying to state as much obvious as needed, even if this post is rather old. also don't wet sand until after you apply a finish; it'll fuck up the wood. water + raw wood = water logging/swelling.
Can you apply French polish / black polish to any surface (ie a surface primed with a water based, or oil based paint?)
Yes you can but the surface has to be pretty smooth to start. Do a base coat of Shellac first to seal it. I would still say always do a test first.
what mix do you use. It looks thinner than what I get here ready made.
French polish is typically done with a 2 pound cut or even sometimes 1 pound cut. The store bought Zinsser stuff comes as a 3 pound cut. You can dilute it with alcohol for the desired consistency.
@@stoutlager6325 Good advice, and great name!
What kind of alcohol is in the bottle?
Voice instantly reminded me of Ross Geller's farther.
Lubricity new word to add to my vocabulary.
Can you use white spirit instead of turpentine?
What a voice, he could do voice overs.
Did you say you use seal coat for both sealing and french polish?
Yes it can be used for both.
In Canada I can’t get denatured alcohol. Is there an alternative I could use?
It can also be called methylated spirits. But do experiment with different types of spirits, oils and so on.
Is shellac and french polish the same thing?
Avidcomp Shellac is the substance, french polish is the method demonstrated here.
Thank you
@@Avidcomp
Shellac is the liquid that get used. French polish is the method that is used to get the shellac to build up into layers that give a reflection.
You could put on shellac and just leave it and it would not be french polishing. With Shellac you can apply and then polish and sheen it but it would not be french polishing but would be something halfway between.
Experiment to see what you like.
Very surprised at the lack of gloves in this.
Wait, you got it all over your hand. How do you clean it off your hands ?
denature alcohol will do. I was thinking he should have a glove or something. xD
But you should also use fine pumice powder for French polishing
The secret must be seat coat because regular shellac dries way to quickly.
So this is what Rothfuss gets up to when not writing...
Well done... but please remember to wear gloves kiddo's...
Una petite lecon de Francais. This is shellac polishing, not french polishing.
Uhh do I know you?
this guy doesn't know how to make a rubber properly
Use gloves.next time m8!
You lost me when I saw the can of shellac. No point in watching the rest of the video if you will not mix your own shellac. That tells me everything I need to know about your skillset.
It was just a sealer coat. The rest is with his own.
Is it bad to get denatured alcohol on your skin???
Thanks!
Great video,thank you sir!