I'm 76 in Feb, a BC Dept of Labour Certified Journeyman Carpenter 1974, and this is absolutely the BEST wood- finishing video I've seen yet on TH-cam! This fellow's low-key but very experienced, w/o boasting or showing off, unlike nameless others.
@@FabiansTinyWorkshop I appreciate the content! I make headstones, but I got my start woodworking with my late grandfather. Always loved a well-executed French polish!
This is the first time in decades of wood working and finishing that I've seen a demonstration by someone who actually knows how to do this finish! Outstanding instructional video!
Same thoughts, thanks for posting ! Clear, concise and detailed with no filler or excess ' noise '. Perfect example of how folks want YT to work! Many Thanks !
I have seen tons of videos about Shellac and French Polishing and I find this video to be the most concise, simple and precise one to tell everything about the technique.
Thank you so much Fabian. I have been polishing now for 10 years and despite tuition and countless books read I have always had problems "finishing the finish", i.e. removing the final streaks which can be seen under direct light. I sat and watched your video today, followed your methods exactly, and got my best result yet ! I can`t thank you enough honestly.
Have to give a shout out to Fabian. i am a professional restorer in NYC with 20 over 20 years experience and been pandemic watching you tube and this is the only video with proper instruction on how to French polish. Amazing that the English call shellac out of a can "French polish" !!!
When at London College Of Furniture I was taught that your charged ‘rubber ‘ ought to be as damp as a ‘dogs nose ‘ As a full time restorer of antique furniture this tip has never let me down.
Excellent video, Fabian! My first job, in southern England, was working with a true artisan antique restorer on to-die-for Euro antique pieces. This was some 40+ years ago. He specialized in French polishing because of the amazing 3-dimensional effect it had on grain-patterns. He always used a circular motion when polishing - never, ever straight-lines - as he felt this magnified the 3-D effect. Layers upon layers of circular patterns magnified the depth of the grain patterns. He also would add a small amount of oil to the polish-mix, and then de-oil the next day after the finish had set before adding the next micro-layer of polish. A typical finish would take at least a week but the end result was absolutely astounding! As to durability, some of the pieces that we worked upon were very old. The damage we were repairing wasn't due to the finish failing, it was physical damage - scratches, water-marks, etc.
Exactly! It might not be as durable when it comes to physical abuse but it looks great! And if treated well it can last for generations. I can only imagine how modern plastic finishes might look after 150 years ;-)
I'm a time served tradesman carpenter joiner, I've always wondered how to French polish and now I know. I have only heard of "French polishers" and their mystical ways whispered secretly round the building sites, so thanks for making it available to us lowly wood workers and a heart felt thanks to you for the way you put this vid together, cheers !
You have very fine teaching skills, Fabian. I can put to use everything you talked about. You have completely demystified the entire process for me. Thanks!
I thought this was going to be too difficult to accomplish. But I gave it a try, and I'm surprised of the finish I've got. Excellent tutorial, your tips took my work from a pleasant satin to a really high gloss. Thank you very much for sharing this!
Hi I have been French Polishing Piano's for 17 years and I have googled many videos on the process. I must say if you want to do it this man really does Depict the REAL REAL REAL Process of this ART, patient is the answer. Well done Fabian it's a pleasure to watch you FANTASTIC. WITH FULL RESPECT. Rudy.
Thanks for showing us Fabian! No distracting music and you really understand your materials and how to use them. Lots of really handy tips from an expert.
BRAVO. Finally someone who understand that the shellac will fuse from the cloth onto the surface when the wet shellac meet the soft shellac, and that the oil are the medium that make it possible. You are building up the layers of shellac from the cloth to the surface using the alcohol and oil to stabilize, -- you only need to understand the polishing done from the pumice powder you forgot about ;)) Perfect almost.
An excellent tutorial; I french polished my guitar and it has always looked beautiful, even though I had never tried this technique before. I think the best thing about french polishing is that you can achieve any level of gloss; it's done when you like the way it looks.
Bought books and looked at everything I could find online and was still having problems with French polishing until I watched your video. This video tells you everything you need to know without overcomplicating it. I learned I was using far too much polish and not burnishing correctly or nearly enough. Went right out to shop and successfully completed a half done French polished dropfront secretary. Thank you for a great video!!!
I've watched many videos on french polishing , and researched online, after using methods and advice by restoration companies , I can now see that the way you work , polishing in both directions and not just in the grain direction proves to give a much better finish.. I wish I had seen and used your method first. Thanks Fabian , you have opened my eyes .
My friend, you are only the second person I have seen do a video who understands how to do a French Polish correctly! Your English is very good, and your skills second to none. Nice work!
You are welcome. It is people like you who will keep this art alive. It is not taught in public schools, and very few trade schools teach it. So it is up to those who have mastered the technique to pass it on.
Excellent French Polish demonstration. I have watched a number of videos, picking up good tips. I really like your method and you did a great job of highlighting important actions as you were doing the polishing. Beautiful work! Thanks much.
Oh, by the way, one more thing. A warning for EVERYONE ; avoid the temptation to "make it shine". That's when you start using far too much polish. You have to Patiently build up the gloss- LITTLE by LITTLE, slowly. You can also pick up a piece months later and start again. Too much polish can crack or lose it's transparency- this is the beauty and secret of French Polish. Voilà Messieurs, c'est mon dernier mot. Bonne journée et au revoir.
Fabian, thank you for your effort. Probably the best French polishing teaching video I have seen on the Internet. It has just made me realize that one is not painting the shellac into the wood but rather rubbing it in.. hence using a not so wet, a not so shellac rich pad and patience are key in getting a good finish. Thanks again.
That's great, I want to open a college of Art in Tanzania , and they are good in carving but they have problem with the FINISHING. You have help me a lot.Thanks once again
A well done presentation. So many videos are no voice, music and speeded up video and in the end you have no idea exactly what was done, what materials were used or how to proceed. I much prefer your approach.
This is by far the best finish for anything hardwood. Including guitars... French Polish can be built up to considerable thickness and looks even better than nitrocellulose or acrylic lacquer. It's really not THAT fragile, and if any finish gets worn you can just polish it some more to restore it. It's also the easiest to do without messing up, and you are essentially guaranteed a glass like finish if you are patient and do the work. Applying the finish is constantly polishing the surface.
I remember learning and working the French polish process with my old Hungarian mentor back in the late '60s and early '70s. It is the most beautiful finish of all. Very labor intensive, but worth it for the results. I salute your video. About as accurate as I remember, for the old tried and true method. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm glad to benefit from your experience. I will be using this video a my standard for french polishing. Thank you and perhaps you'll make a more detailed video on french polishing focusing on the mistakes beginners make.
Jan 22 2021. Fabian. I was looking for something else altogether when this came up. Excellent work. About 25 years ago I acquired some panels of New Guinea Walnut already made up to dining table size and I made a stereo cabinet / TV stand out of it. I had to cut the panels down to size and dowel and hidden screw assemble it. Then I bought a book on different wood finishes. I decided to use French Polish for the job. I used a 1 litre jar of Shellac Flakes with metholated spirits as per the instructions and linseed oil to lube the surface. The instructions said to have a saucer with a little of the oil and dip the pad into the oil whenever I started to feel the drag. I started the process with rubbing along the grain and occasionally across the grain. The instructions showed the bag tied up and said to dip the pad into the shellac as required. I was very happy with the finish and still am after 25 years. Every couple of years I wipe the cabinet down and polish it with Cedar Oil. The finish is still as good as it ever was. However, I can't help thinking what it would be like if I used the technique you have shown in this very long and informative video. do you need to use the pumice dust on all woods. I have never seen it for sale but will make some online enquiries. Do you use this technique for all of your projects or just the smaller ones. I don't know if I would be able to do so much rubbing. 68 years old with arthritis and a snapped ligament in my right shoulder. once again...A VERY INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO. BY THE WAY. HOW MANY LAYERS WENT INTO THAT BOARD?
Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch the video! The pumice is only needed for pore filling of open-pored woods like mahogany, walnut, oak....
@@ianwilliamtait9909 A session takes about 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Usually its about 4-10 for the grain filling (depends on the wood species) and 4-8 coats bodying and burnising. I let the shellac cure for about a day inbeteween sessions. But since I'm not a professional french polisher it's a little different every time ;-) Once it's done it has to cure for a few weeks.
Thanks for this video, it was really helpful. I found that if there is surface blemishes after applying the shellac, you can go back with a microfiber cloth damp with isopropanol and gently buff out the imperfections.
Ikea....no...there are still people out there who love proper wood furnishings made solidly by jointing..Ikea stuff is made of offcuts glued together to make wider bits of timber. Ikea is good for candles, and bedding...but for wood?...no. You need a craftsman/woman for that :)
@@Oakleaf700 , i wish IKEA was off cuts. it is mostly particle board. A glass of water or moving from one corner to another corner makes it go loose and wobble . it is total waste except its solid pine. But no 17 MM ball bearing slides. I repaired lots of IKEA dressers.
@@sanramondublin I never buy Ikea wood..actually, that's a lie..I did buy a pine bed for my son when he was a just- teenager, and one day I heard a splintering sound, and one of his friends {Or him} broke it, how, they never fessed up...the side board, about 6'6'' long which was pine, was v shaped where it had been kicked...... in the middle {weakest point} The growth rings on it were about 4 per 15 centimetres, so very quick grown. Son now is a green oak timber framer, and kicking an oak frame will bust your toe.. He says he still ''can't remember'' how the Ikea bed broke. 😂 They said they ''sat on it'' at the time.... Maybe they ''looked at it?'' 🙃
Gutten Morgen Herr Fabian. I enjoyed your video, not because I learned anything new, but because you presented it very well. It might not be honest to add anything further, but I would like to share a little trick I use. I'm a cabinetmaker and furniture restorer here in Paris. According to each case one can proceed differently from the beginning. If the wood is new (like your's) then your process is fine. However, there are very many different cases. I just delivered a nineteenth century rotating library table in Honduras mahogany (slightly more orange and less hard than the FABULOUS Cuban variety- Mahogany Swetonia). It was totally bleached and blistered by decades of direct sunlight. After stripping, scraping, and sanding I discovered that it had been deep stained in Sandragon- a very deep red dye used on this wood typically in the XIXth c. I had to use a very drastic method to kill off this dye- which included bleaching. Then the desired colours are brought up by successive water staining, sometimes using a little ammonia. This is NOT new wood. To seal the desired colour I used the clearest shellac (we call it Astra or Luna). Then I coloured my pumice powder with two earth pigments. After one or two days rest I continued with a Button type polish (Fine Orange here in France). It is at this stage that I wanted to share my trick. In this "middle" process I rub a few grains of Tripoli powder on my rubber. You can HEAR the gentle grinding! This helps to flatten out the polish and NOT to build up a layer too thick. I sand gently between coats to get the surface mirror flat (from 600 to 1200 grit). You have to de this, because the human hand can't apply a perfectly even layer. I finish off by using a very fine (Egyptian) coton rag finishing rubber. I work much slower than you, and I use pear shaped rubbers. Then there are all the different types of Shellac, according to case. Thirty five years trade are still not enough, and some days it just doesn't work as well! I see you are wood turner. That's another (lovely) story. I look forward to your feedback. Unfortunately TH-cam has blocked my notifications of answers to comments, but I'll consult this from time to time. You're a great guy Fabian, very honest and generous. Not many people like you in the trades. Take care and all the best, Ralph.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with me/us. I am a hobby woodworker and I'm always glad when I can learn something new :) Best wishes Fabian
Thanks for replying. I'm glad you appreciated my comments. I love sharing, and would have loved to have an apprentice like you, but it's too complicated here in France. I was taught everything I know by the "old boys". Most of them are probably no longer alive. This was a great chance, because they explained how they were taught themselves by OLDER "old boys", some of which were born in the nineteenth century! And they too were taught, and so on. This knowledge has been totally lost today ; we live in a destructive negative world. Everything is about profit and money. Can you imagine working more than a thousand hours on ONE piece of furniture !? I've done it. It's called love. You have to love your trade, and be willing to die for it. This is how Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Bach lived. They should inspire us to ever climb to the highest heights, and forget about cars, television, holidays, and fancy gadgets. Craft (a German word my friend!) is a way of life. A philosophy. Chuss.
Thank you Fabian! I have watched a few videos, but I couldn't get it right. The way you explained it made all the difference. I'm getting the hang of it now. Thank you very much!
Great video, very well explained and demonstrated. I just finished a 50 year old guitar which I've had since I was a child, it's great to see it back to its former glory. Thank you.
That was the most informative video I have seen on this topic. Completely demystified. Just a few practical details to remember... and a LOT of time and patience.
Fabian, THANK YOU. Well done video, very informative and well worth the 37 minutes of education! You focused on technique and the reasons for the approach. I learned a lot ! I would make one suggestion, as a photographer. The glare circle from the light on your work was distracting. I would suggest a Westcott 43" white shoot through umbrella in front of the light to diffuse that glare circle on your beautiful work. Other than that little thing, a well made tutorial !!
Thank you and thank's for the suggestion! You're right. Normally I would position the camera so that the reflection of the light would not be so distracting. But in this case I wanted the audience to see the reflection to show the sheen and the vapor cloud.
@@jacobacon3219 Chill, dude. I found his comment interesting. I bet he could fine tune the glare, so that the white spot wasn't necessary in order to have some great reflections that serve the purpose of the video.
It was literally like watching paint dry, but also fascinating. I stuck with it through the entire 37 minutes. I have tried a French polish a few times on small boxes with some success, but your results were gorgeous. I loved watching the lamp reflection as it went from a soft fuzzy highlight to a sharp, clear reflection.
My 1983 classical guitar has a French Polish finish that is just beautiful. The sound is exquisite because of it as well. It is so thin and vibrant! My luthier can so easily touch it up when needed, without having to sand it down at all. Thanks for that awesome video!
Thank you for a Fantastic video, I love the introduction you read out at the start of the Video, I've just finished applying a Danish Oil and Bees wax finish on a guitar I've made but It's only achieved a satin finish, I'm going to refinish one I made years back so I think I will try your Procedure, it's the Far Best I've seen, also your commentary on every step of the procedure and why without any annoying music is a bonus.
Now I know why the French weren’t very good at warfare, intoxicated on shellac, but they had beautiful furniture for the krauts to enjoy during the early forties.
Yes, this is it real French polishing. I remember when i was kid a ferniture maker to apply the pumice dust on the furnitures like this. Bravo i like it.
Fabian, God bless you, for a fantastic tutorial that is both informative and encouraging. I am now hooked on Shellac and its finishing techniques. Awesome Guidance
The pumice has nothing to do with the hardness of the wood. If you are polishing an open-grained wood you need to fill the pores. With close-grained wood you can skip the pore filling. For example walnut is open-grained and apple wood is close-grained.
I have a mentor/friend who I've been making acoustics off on an on for the past few years with. He's retired and makes acoustics and we have tried to do french polish a couple times om scraps. I just listened to what he said and never cared to look it up myself and now I realize we have been using way too much shellac. I'm going to experiment and try again since french polish has such a beautiful look, and it's very desirable amongst people who want acoustics, especially classical players.
Fabian, thank you for educating me in the technique of French polishing wood. After 40 years of restoring furniture, I finally decided to teach myself how to french polish. I couldn't have done it without you. Would love to see a video of you french polishing an entire piece of furniture. Thanks again.
Greetings Fabian, After watching you transform that piece I decided to take the plunge. I recently completed a classical guitar and had brushed a few coats of 2# cut shellac on. Then I started with 800 grit and stopped there trying to decide if I was going run through the grits and buff it or do a spray coat and buff. I figured I had nothing to lose, got some avocado oil, charged a pad and tried it on the back. Within 15 minutes or so I had transformed that surface ti exactly what I’d been hoping to achieve. It went from a dull sheen with some minor sanding marks to a mirror finish. Going to it rest and tomorrow start the sides. Thanks for the tutorial!
Fabian, I have been polishing my guitars for many years now, but every job I learn something new. I have thoroughly enjoyed this video and feel I have picked up many new ideas to try. Thank You!
Excellent instructions. Thank you for making and sharing this video 8 years ago. I’ll try this one day when I make something ideal. Maybe a chest for keeping precious metals 🙂
Fabian , your Video is wonderful ..Thank you very much for showing us Sir :) i have a friend who is a master carpenter , and when i'm done my bass Guitar i shall suprise him haha all the Best to you ! Paolo ( Ontario Canada )
I've been experimenting with polyurethane, lacquer and shellac on chessboards I've been making. Gave this a shot and wow! Amazing results. Excellent breakdown on how to do this. Thank you!
I'm 76 in Feb, a BC Dept of Labour Certified Journeyman Carpenter 1974, and this is absolutely the BEST wood- finishing video I've seen yet on TH-cam! This fellow's low-key but very experienced, w/o boasting or showing off, unlike nameless others.
Thank you very much, it means a lot to me!
Good sir, as a 21 year man who just started to take interest in woodworking, I shall take your advice.
Hear, hear 👌
@@FabiansTinyWorkshop I appreciate the content! I make headstones, but I got my start woodworking with my late grandfather. Always loved a well-executed French polish!
how about some subtitles for us Americans! I sorry, I don’t understand a
This is the first time in decades of wood working and finishing that I've seen a demonstration by someone who actually knows how to do this finish! Outstanding instructional video!
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
Same thoughts, thanks for posting !
Clear, concise and detailed with no filler or excess ' noise '.
Perfect example of how folks want YT to work!
Many Thanks !
I have seen tons of videos about Shellac and French Polishing and I find this video to be the most concise, simple and precise one to tell everything about the technique.
Thank you so much Fabian. I have been polishing now for 10 years and despite tuition and countless books read I have always had problems "finishing the finish", i.e. removing the final streaks which can be seen under direct light. I sat and watched your video today, followed your methods exactly, and got my best result yet ! I can`t thank you enough honestly.
Comments like yours are such a huge motivation to keep going and getting better! Thank you!!
yours is one of the best tutorials on french polish Ive ever seen,you cover it all thanks
+Edad Martin Thank you! I'm glad you like it :)
I agree your tutorial is far better and educational than any other . Many thanks
Have to give a shout out to Fabian. i am a professional restorer in NYC with 20 over 20 years experience and been pandemic watching you tube and this is the only video with proper instruction on how to French polish. Amazing that the English call shellac out of a can "French polish" !!!
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
Take care
Very informative and (thank goodness) no distracting music. Easy to follow. Thanks for sharing Fabian!
Oh, I don't know. It might make it easier to absorb the lesson if he'd included a hip hop soundtrack
@@BelleOmbreGrey I THINK NOT
When at London College Of Furniture I was taught that your charged ‘rubber ‘ ought to be as damp as a ‘dogs nose ‘ As a full time restorer of antique furniture this tip has never let me down.
Excellent video, Fabian! My first job, in southern England, was working with a true artisan antique restorer on to-die-for Euro antique pieces. This was some 40+ years ago. He specialized in French polishing because of the amazing 3-dimensional effect it had on grain-patterns. He always used a circular motion when polishing - never, ever straight-lines - as he felt this magnified the 3-D effect. Layers upon layers of circular patterns magnified the depth of the grain patterns. He also would add a small amount of oil to the polish-mix, and then de-oil the next day after the finish had set before adding the next micro-layer of polish. A typical finish would take at least a week but the end result was absolutely astounding! As to durability, some of the pieces that we worked upon were very old. The damage we were repairing wasn't due to the finish failing, it was physical damage - scratches, water-marks, etc.
Exactly! It might not be as durable when it comes to physical abuse but it looks great! And if treated well it can last for generations. I can only imagine how modern plastic finishes might look after 150 years ;-)
How did he de-oil the next day? what kind of oil did he use?
This is the best demonstration I have seen to date. Everyone rushes through a video and they skip a lot of details. Thanks.
Thank you 😊
You've made me change my mind on shellac! I now see the beauty in the process
Glad you like it!!! :)
I'm a time served tradesman carpenter joiner, I've always wondered how to French polish and now I know. I have only heard of "French polishers" and their mystical ways whispered secretly round the building sites, so thanks for making it available to us lowly wood workers and a heart felt thanks to you for the way you put this vid together, cheers !
+Richard Love Thank you very much, I really appreciate it :)
Take care,
Fabian
You have very fine teaching skills, Fabian. I can put to use everything you talked about. You have completely demystified the entire process for me. Thanks!
Just to affirm what everyone is saying. This is the best video I have seen on the subject. Thanks for your content!
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
I thought this was going to be too difficult to accomplish. But I gave it a try, and I'm surprised of the finish I've got. Excellent tutorial, your tips took my work from a pleasant satin to a really high gloss. Thank you very much for sharing this!
Hi I have been French Polishing Piano's for 17 years and I have googled many videos on the process. I must say if you want to do it this man really does Depict the REAL REAL REAL Process of this ART, patient is the answer. Well done Fabian it's a pleasure to watch you FANTASTIC. WITH FULL RESPECT. Rudy.
+Rudy Martin Thank you very much Rudy! I greatly appreciate it! :-)
Take care,
Fabian
Thanks for showing us Fabian! No distracting music and you really understand your materials and how to use them. Lots of really handy tips from an expert.
BRAVO. Finally someone who understand that the shellac will fuse from the cloth onto the surface when the wet shellac meet the soft shellac, and that the oil are the medium that make it possible. You are building up the layers of shellac from the cloth to the surface using the alcohol and oil to stabilize, -- you only need to understand the polishing done from the pumice powder you forgot about ;))
Perfect almost.
An excellent tutorial; I french polished my guitar and it has always looked beautiful, even though I had never tried this technique before. I think the best thing about french polishing is that you can achieve any level of gloss; it's done when you like the way it looks.
Best description of the ancient art of French Polish.
Bought books and looked at everything I could find online and was still having problems with French polishing until I watched your video. This video tells you everything you need to know without overcomplicating it. I learned I was using far too much polish and not burnishing correctly or nearly enough. Went right out to shop and successfully completed a half done French polished dropfront secretary. Thank you for a great video!!!
Thanks Man!! Appreciate it :)
I've watched many videos on french polishing , and researched online, after using methods and advice by restoration companies , I can now see that the way you work , polishing in both directions and not just in the grain direction proves to give a much better finish.. I wish I had seen and used your method first.
Thanks Fabian , you have opened my eyes .
Thank you. I appreciate it.
My friend, you are only the second person I have seen do a video who understands how to do a French Polish correctly! Your English is very good, and your skills second to none. Nice work!
Thank you for your words! I really appreciate that!
You are welcome. It is people like you who will keep this art alive. It is not taught in public schools, and very few trade schools teach it. So it is up to those who have mastered the technique to pass it on.
It is only after doing a couple of French polishing projects that I fully appreciated how good this video guide really is.
Thank you very much :)
Watched a few videos- this was the most thorough while being as to the point as possible. Thanks Fabian.
Thanks for checking it out :)
Wood Made Good
Excellent French Polish demonstration. I have watched a number of videos, picking up good tips. I really like your method and you did a great job of highlighting important actions as you were doing the polishing. Beautiful work! Thanks much.
Thank you. Appreciate it :-)
I was afraid to try French Polishing until I watched this. First try came out great
why the fuck would you be afraid?
@@JimA-pp2nu Figure of speech I think.
You are doing great job. I learn from my father 30 years ago like you doing. Top job
Thanks you! Appreciate it!
Oh, by the way, one more thing. A warning for EVERYONE ; avoid the temptation to "make it shine". That's when you start using far too much polish. You have to Patiently build up the gloss- LITTLE by LITTLE, slowly. You can also pick up a piece months later and start again. Too much polish can crack or lose it's transparency- this is the beauty and secret of French Polish. Voilà Messieurs, c'est mon dernier mot. Bonne journée et au revoir.
You're right. And it's a good hobby. Bon!
You forgot 'les Mesdames' (Ladies) who are also watching. :-)
Fabian, thank you for your effort. Probably the best French polishing teaching video I have seen on the Internet. It has just made me realize that one is not painting the shellac into the wood but rather rubbing it in.. hence using a not so wet, a not so shellac rich pad and patience are key in getting a good finish. Thanks again.
+jesusr medina Exactly :)
True craftsman. Followed this excellent tutorial & achieved a finish of which I'm proud. Thank you kindly. Regards
Very good very thorough. Time between coats not always obvious. Curing times not always absolutely plain. Thank you!
One session a day. It's dry to the touch in no time but it takes days / weeks to harden.
That's great, I want to open a college of Art in Tanzania , and they are good in carving but they have problem with the FINISHING. You have help me a lot.Thanks once again
Fuad Janmohamed .
The best shellac rub videos I have seen. A demonstration I feel is a "Classic" in wood finish craftsmanship.Thank You.
+Robert Reid Thank you, I'm glad you like it!
A well done presentation. So many videos are no voice, music and speeded up video and in the end you have no idea exactly what was done, what materials were used or how to proceed. I much prefer your approach.
Clearly the best instructions i found on YT so far.
Thank you! I appreciate that a lot!
This is by far the best finish for anything hardwood. Including guitars... French Polish can be built up to considerable thickness and looks even better than nitrocellulose or acrylic lacquer. It's really not THAT fragile, and if any finish gets worn you can just polish it some more to restore it. It's also the easiest to do without messing up, and you are essentially guaranteed a glass like finish if you are patient and do the work. Applying the finish is constantly polishing the surface.
I remember learning and working the French polish process with my old Hungarian mentor back in the late '60s and early '70s. It is the most beautiful finish of all. Very labor intensive, but worth it for the results. I salute your video. About as accurate as I remember, for the old tried and true method. Cheers!
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm glad to benefit from your experience. I will be using this video a my standard for french polishing. Thank you and perhaps you'll make a more detailed video on french polishing focusing on the mistakes beginners make.
Thank you! I really appreciate that! Maybe I'll make another video sometime.
Yes for beginners perhaps, thanks dude
Jan 22 2021. Fabian. I was looking for something else altogether when this came up. Excellent work. About 25 years ago I acquired some panels of New Guinea Walnut already made up to dining table size and I made a stereo cabinet / TV stand out of it. I had to cut the panels down to size and dowel and hidden screw assemble it. Then I bought a book on different wood finishes. I decided to use French Polish for the job. I used a 1 litre jar of Shellac Flakes with metholated spirits as per the instructions and linseed oil to lube the surface. The instructions said to have a saucer with a little of the oil and dip the pad into the oil whenever I started to feel the drag. I started the process with rubbing along the grain and occasionally across the grain. The instructions showed the bag tied up and said to dip the pad into the shellac as required. I was very happy with the finish and still am after 25 years. Every couple of years I wipe the cabinet down and polish it with Cedar Oil. The finish is still as good as it ever was. However, I can't help thinking what it would be like if I used the technique you have shown in this very long and informative video. do you need to use the pumice dust on all woods. I have never seen it for sale but will make some online enquiries. Do you use this technique for all of your projects or just the smaller ones. I don't know if I would be able to do so much rubbing. 68 years old with arthritis and a snapped ligament in my right shoulder. once again...A VERY INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO. BY THE WAY. HOW MANY LAYERS WENT INTO THAT BOARD?
Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch the video! The pumice is only needed for pore filling of open-pored woods like mahogany, walnut, oak....
@@FabiansTinyWorkshop Thankyou for that. once again you didn't say How Many Layers went onto the board.
@@ianwilliamtait9909 A session takes about 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Usually its about 4-10 for the grain filling (depends on the wood species) and 4-8 coats bodying and burnising. I let the shellac cure for about a day inbeteween sessions. But since I'm not a professional french polisher it's a little different every time ;-) Once it's done it has to cure for a few weeks.
Thanks for this video, it was really helpful. I found that if there is surface blemishes after applying the shellac, you can go back with a microfiber cloth damp with isopropanol and gently buff out the imperfections.
THIS is how you make a diy video...Easy to understand and full explanation at each step with great accompanying visuals...Beautiful work.
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
I only read about this.....I thought it was an urban legend. I got to see it in real action! This is great!
+Heavyboxes Thanks!
ikea killed us all off.
Ikea....no...there are still people out there who love proper wood furnishings made solidly by jointing..Ikea stuff is made of offcuts glued together to make wider bits of timber.
Ikea is good for candles, and bedding...but for wood?...no. You need a craftsman/woman for that :)
@@Oakleaf700 ,
i wish IKEA was off cuts. it is mostly particle board. A glass of water or moving from one corner to another corner makes it go loose and wobble . it is total waste except its solid pine. But no 17 MM ball bearing slides. I repaired lots of IKEA dressers.
@@sanramondublin I never buy Ikea wood..actually, that's a lie..I did buy a pine bed for my son when he was a just- teenager, and one day I heard a splintering sound, and one of his friends {Or him} broke it, how, they never fessed up...the side board, about 6'6'' long which was pine, was v shaped where it had been kicked...... in the middle {weakest point}
The growth rings on it were about 4 per 15 centimetres, so very quick grown.
Son now is a green oak timber framer, and kicking an oak frame will bust your toe..
He says he still ''can't remember'' how the Ikea bed broke. 😂
They said they ''sat on it'' at the time.... Maybe they ''looked at it?'' 🙃
I've just found your video as I will be sent for a french polish course by my boss. So it's nice to see what is ahead of me. Thank you!
Gutten Morgen Herr Fabian. I enjoyed your video, not because I learned anything new, but because you presented it very well. It might not be honest to add anything further, but I would like to share a little trick I use. I'm a cabinetmaker and furniture restorer here in Paris. According to each case one can proceed differently from the beginning. If the wood is new (like your's) then your process is fine. However, there are very many different cases. I just delivered a nineteenth century rotating library table in Honduras mahogany (slightly more orange and less hard than the FABULOUS Cuban variety- Mahogany Swetonia). It was totally bleached and blistered by decades of direct sunlight. After stripping, scraping, and sanding I discovered that it had been deep stained in Sandragon- a very deep red dye used on this wood typically in the XIXth c. I had to use a very drastic method to kill off this dye- which included bleaching. Then the desired colours are brought up by successive water staining, sometimes using a little ammonia. This is NOT new wood. To seal the desired colour I used the clearest shellac (we call it Astra or Luna). Then I coloured my pumice powder with two earth pigments. After one or two days rest I continued with a Button type polish (Fine Orange here in France). It is at this stage that I wanted to share my trick. In this "middle" process I rub a few grains of Tripoli powder on my rubber. You can HEAR the gentle grinding! This helps to flatten out the polish and NOT to build up a layer too thick. I sand gently between coats to get the surface mirror flat (from 600 to 1200 grit). You have to de this, because the human hand can't apply a perfectly even layer. I finish off by using a very fine (Egyptian) coton rag finishing rubber. I work much slower than you, and I use pear shaped rubbers. Then there are all the different types of Shellac, according to case. Thirty five years trade are still not enough, and some days it just doesn't work as well! I see you are wood turner. That's another (lovely) story. I look forward to your feedback. Unfortunately TH-cam has blocked my notifications of answers to comments, but I'll consult this from time to time. You're a great guy Fabian, very honest and generous. Not many people like you in the trades. Take care and all the best, Ralph.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with me/us. I am a hobby woodworker and I'm always glad when I can learn something new :)
Best wishes Fabian
Thanks for replying. I'm glad you appreciated my comments. I love sharing, and would have loved to have an apprentice like you, but it's too complicated here in France. I was taught everything I know by the "old boys". Most of them are probably no longer alive. This was a great chance, because they explained how they were taught themselves by OLDER "old boys", some of which were born in the nineteenth century! And they too were taught, and so on. This knowledge has been totally lost today ; we live in a destructive negative world. Everything is about profit and money. Can you imagine working more than a thousand hours on ONE piece of furniture !? I've done it. It's called love. You have to love your trade, and be willing to die for it. This is how Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Bach lived. They should inspire us to ever climb to the highest heights, and forget about cars, television, holidays, and fancy gadgets. Craft (a German word my friend!) is a way of life. A philosophy. Chuss.
so true!
Thank you Fabian! I have watched a few videos, but I couldn't get it right. The way you explained it made all the difference. I'm getting the hang of it now. Thank you very much!
Very elegant finish, Fabian. Very, very nicely done. Thank you for the video.
+KSFWG Thank you!
Great video, very well explained and demonstrated. I just finished a 50 year old guitar which I've had since I was a child, it's great to see it back to its former glory. Thank you.
I always wanted to know how to do this. Great video! Thank you.
Appreciate you checking it out :)
That was the most informative video I have seen on this topic. Completely demystified. Just a few practical details to remember... and a LOT of time and patience.
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
Very interesting. Long process but beautiful results. Can't wait to try.
You're an EXCELLENT TEACHER - So glad I found you 1st, you made it seem so simple - Thanks HEAPS!!! Ruthie Baby in Auckland, New Zealand 🥰🥰🥰
Fabian, THANK YOU. Well done video, very informative and well worth the 37 minutes of education! You focused on technique and the reasons for the approach. I learned a lot !
I would make one suggestion, as a photographer. The glare circle from the light on your work was distracting. I would suggest a Westcott 43" white shoot through umbrella in front of the light to diffuse that glare circle on your beautiful work. Other than that little thing, a well made tutorial !!
Thank you and thank's for the suggestion! You're right. Normally I would position the camera so that the reflection of the light would not be so distracting. But in this case I wanted the audience to see the reflection to show the sheen and the vapor cloud.
Yes the reflection was important so we could see the image get sharper as the polish became thicker.
All hail the guy who thinks everything he doesn’t comprehend is surely wrong!
@@jacobacon3219 Chill, dude. I found his comment interesting. I bet he could fine tune the glare, so that the white spot wasn't necessary in order to have some great reflections that serve the purpose of the video.
It was literally like watching paint dry, but also fascinating. I stuck with it through the entire 37 minutes. I have tried a French polish a few times on small boxes with some success, but your results were gorgeous. I loved watching the lamp reflection as it went from a soft fuzzy highlight to a sharp, clear reflection.
Thank you for watching the entire 37 minutes! I truly appreciate that! :)
Really good explanation of this finishing technique, it has always been one of my favorites when I want a really nice finish.
+The ShavingWood Workshop Thank you :)
My 1983 classical guitar has a French Polish finish that is just beautiful. The sound is exquisite because of it as well. It is so thin and vibrant! My luthier can so easily touch it up when needed, without having to sand it down at all. Thanks for that awesome video!
Thank you! Appreciate you checking it out!
Where can you buy an electric french polishing machine?
Vitality Massage France!
LOL, Good idea
Vitality Massage dude with a mullet: Hey babie get my electric drill!!
existed in the 1930 era, never seen one, not much used probably -only for flat surfaces
Wal mart $19.99.
Wow! You have the patience of a saint 🏆🏆🏆🏆
my uncle is french-polish, difficult accent to understand
;-)
Badum tsss
arty you win! I am going to have to use that though
your uncle is french-polish, and your mother and father is gypsy - naker
Thank you for a Fantastic video, I love the introduction you read out at the start of the Video, I've just finished applying a Danish Oil and Bees wax finish on a guitar I've made but It's only achieved a satin finish, I'm going to refinish one I made years back so I think I will try your Procedure, it's the Far Best I've seen, also your commentary on every step of the procedure and why without any annoying music is a bonus.
Now I know why the French weren’t very good at warfare, intoxicated on shellac, but they had beautiful furniture for the krauts to enjoy during the early forties.
I love your grim sense of humor: =)
Don't forget clothing and perfumes
Yes, this is it real French polishing. I remember when i was kid a ferniture maker to apply the pumice dust on the furnitures like this. Bravo i like it.
+telosfd Thank you very much :-)
and now he chops an onion on it.:)
Fabian, God bless you, for a fantastic tutorial that is both informative and encouraging. I am now hooked on Shellac and its finishing techniques. Awesome Guidance
I can't believe how little shellac is actually used in this process. I'm using way too much.
me too
Me too and i just ruined my mandolin top and had to wash it all off. Feels good👍
Right, understand the shine and color is due to multiple thin coats
Melted or no I am not sure.
This guy has tried this a few times - great video.
Do you need the pumice if using a hardwood like walnut. Great video tutorial. Thank you.
The pumice has nothing to do with the hardness of the wood. If you are polishing an open-grained wood you need to fill the pores. With close-grained wood you can skip the pore filling. For example walnut is open-grained and apple wood is close-grained.
Thank you! Very informative.
Best explanation of the French polish I have ever seen. Thank you
Thank you! I really appreciate that!
This is the best explanation of how to actually apply shellac for a beautiful finish that I have come across. Wish I had seen it earlier!
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
Best video on French Polish, wow you real demonstrate the skill, extremely informative thank you.
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
Very nice presentation. Thank you.
Thank you! Appreciate it!
You're a great teacher! The video was very helpful.
Great demo, I very much appreciate it.. thank you
I have a mentor/friend who I've been making acoustics off on an on for the past few years with. He's retired and makes acoustics and we have tried to do french polish a couple times om scraps. I just listened to what he said and never cared to look it up myself and now I realize we have been using way too much shellac. I'm going to experiment and try again since french polish has such a beautiful look, and it's very desirable amongst people who want acoustics, especially classical players.
Wunderbar
So informative. Excellent technique.
Thanks for your very detailed video. A true mirror finish.
Fabian, thank you for educating me in the technique of French polishing wood. After 40 years of restoring furniture, I finally decided to teach myself how to french polish. I couldn't have done it without you. Would love to see a video of you french polishing an entire piece of furniture. Thanks again.
Thank you Mark! I truly appreciate that! :)
Greetings Fabian,
After watching you transform that piece I decided to take the plunge. I recently completed a classical guitar and had brushed a few coats of 2# cut shellac on. Then I started with 800 grit and stopped there trying to decide if I was going run through the grits and buff it or do a spray coat and buff. I figured I had nothing to lose, got some avocado oil, charged a pad and tried it on the back. Within 15 minutes or so I had transformed that surface ti exactly what I’d been hoping to achieve. It went from a dull sheen with some minor sanding marks to a mirror finish. Going to it rest and tomorrow start the sides. Thanks for the tutorial!
I really learned so much watching your video. I knew nothing about this finish until I watched you. Thank You!
Thank you! Appreciate you checking it out!
Well done my friend. Thank you for showing every detail of your process. I enjoyed it and learned a lot from watching your method.
Very straight forward clear explanation. Thank You
Quite expressive work at french polishing.
Thank you
Fabulous job of french polish!!
Thank you
that oil trick will help big timeK
I never learnt how to but by trial i worked most out,
That oil part going make it somewhat easier
😊
Fabian, I have been polishing my guitars for many years now, but every job I learn something new. I have thoroughly enjoyed this video and feel I have picked up many new ideas to try. Thank You!
Thank you David! I really appreciate that!
Thank you my guy for sharing your knowledge. Very good stuff. I'm a beginner and nervous about making my first sale.
Excellent instructions. Thank you for making and sharing this video 8 years ago. I’ll try this one day when I make something ideal. Maybe a chest for keeping precious metals 🙂
Thank you for your Easy Teaching tutorials on french polish.
+Cathy You're welcome :)
Beautiful work. Thanks for the demonstration of a unique skill.
Fabian , your Video is wonderful ..Thank you very much for showing us Sir :)
i have a friend who is a master carpenter , and when i'm done my bass Guitar i shall suprise him haha
all the Best to you !
Paolo ( Ontario Canada )
Thank you Paolo, I appreciate that :)
I've been experimenting with polyurethane, lacquer and shellac on chessboards I've been making. Gave this a shot and wow! Amazing results. Excellent breakdown on how to do this. Thank you!
Best tutorial video about Shellac….
Bravo, congratulations 🎉 👍🏽🎉
Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)
@@FabiansTinyWorkshop - You are welcome Master .
Very good tutorial. Thank you!
This is brilliant. Thanks Fabian
Excellent video....i am making a custom tv console for my car and will french polish the veneer finish....thank you.
I have never seen a shellac finish look so beautiful very nice
Fabian, you have taken the guess work out of french polishing. Thank you.
Thank you Elizabeth. Appreciate you checking it out.
Dhanywaad.
Hum log ye bahut karte hai by hand .
Bahut badiya
Bharat se seekhi gai kalaa
Merci pour cette vidéo!!! Je vais commencer mon projet cette semaine. J’espère que je trouverai les matériaux, bonjour depuis la Nouvelle Zélande!