How to French Polish Like A Pro
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Here I go through and demonstrate how to apply a French polished finish from bare wood. This is a necessary skill that one has to master for proper antique restoration or period furniture refinishing.
Really nice video. leave the music for the beginning and end. thank you for sharing.
Amazing video and very well explained!
Just a little tip: plese, next time either you lower the volume of the music or just take it away :D
No music in future videos. Thank you !
quick tip, youtube woodworkers usually only add music when they're doing a work montage without any speaking. So, music is fine, but only at certain points in the video @@clairandco
Nice video. I currently live and work in Las Vegas. Finishes dry so fast here it's nuts. I like it though. I started and learned in NY. Entirely different process. I also prefer hand applied finishes. There's always more to learn. Thanks.
Your channel is a breath of fresh air on TH-cam.
FANTASTIC - please fill in your stain formulations and your shellac ratios.
Super finish - thanks for sharing.
Darin in South Austin-Buda Tx. Finisher of 20+years. Watching for fun! Truly a skill that’s a rare animal these days with the conversion varnishes sprayed on with airless air assisted guns. I would rather dip my hands in Denatured alcohol over T67-F47 catalyzed with V66-V26 Any day! The slurry portion is a big key. Theses days grain fillers are obsolete. Just spray on an extra coat or two of s. sealer &off you go!
As far as the music goes you work the circuit of shops in the states you learn to work with machines, four different styles of music on full blast with people yelling and laughing( sometimes at you!) you just learn your craft and do what you do with a smile. So crank it up! Puro Tejjano! A central Texas!
Quick side note for people confused. The slurry to pumice, wax and finish is a mix that blends it all together(slurry) you’re not shellacking over a solid wax coat. (I’ve had problems even with blend all wax fill-in sticks.)I assume.
Cracking video and instruction David, really enjoyed watching. I'm from Cornwall in the UK.
Thank you for posting, much appreciated.
👍💯
Houston, Tx here. I needed a refesher course for a bookcase that I'm repairing. Thank you for the in-depth video!
Thanks David. As a former french polisher, I really enjoyed the video. Your way regarding the grain filler is a little different from the method I learned as an apprentice in the late '70's early '80's. But I like it. We used to use oils and driers such as goldsize and terebine mixed with grain filler which was tinted with the desired pigments for colour matching. I've also heard of using plaster of paris finished over with boiled linseed oil to fill the grain. I've got a antique Australian cedar table to restore soon and you've reminded me of some of those little processes that I've forgotten. Hats off to you. All the best from down under. Regards Michael Shaw.
Very nice work. I used to do this finish for dealers in the Pasadena Antique Mall back in the 90’s and specialized in restoring mahogany. I feel like this is a lost art, as woodworking is also becoming, Thank you for helping to keep it alive.
,
I'm from Moon Township, PA (Pittsburgh) and enjoyed watching your very informative video. I'm interested in finishing guitars and picked up more than a few good tips from you. The use of a regular cloth instead of a compressed cheesecloth inside an old t-shirt is one example. The use of orange oil instead of olive oil was another.
I also enjoyed watching your liberal use of pumice. Lots of other videos seem to be very skimpy on the use. I will definitely give your ideas a try.
What’s up Moon Twp. Your neighbor over in Hopewell.
Happy woodworking neighbor!
From West Michigan midwinter. I make what I call keepsake boxes for friends and family. This may make you cringe but I use Rubio pure on most everything because I like it and it doesn't yellow over time. It's very durable too. I just got some highly figured maple and am in the process of learning to French polish. This was very helpful for me learning the process. Thanks.
From Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl. This was a most descriptive video of the complete process of stripping, grain filling and French polishing. I have polished family antiques and made reproductions in both cherry and mahogany. Watching this video will help me improve my finishing. A good finish makes an average/poor working job look OK, but a bad finish makes a good woodworking job look lousy.. Thanks
Thank you
David here from Newport, RI, land of beautiful antique furniture. Thanks for the great detailed video. I buy and sell Federal period furniture and use this finish most of the time as it is appropriate for this furniture and really enhances the beauty of the old mahogany. I enjoy watching the process as someone else does it to pick up tips and tricks, I will try the orange oil you suggested and I do not like using standard mineral oil. I often top off with a light coat of the Gilboys great wax for some protection. Appreciate the time you put into your videos, thx.
Music is cool David. Don’t listen to the haters. And thanks for the tutorial.
Thanks David, watching from Cape Town, South Africa
Brilliant video I’m from wales in the uk
I live in the west of Ireland. I have several of my own pieces to practice on. I am very interested in learning this skill. Thank you
Thank you so much for your video. I’m restoring an English cedar tallboy at the moment and your input has been fabulous. I live in Greensborough, Victoria, Australia.
Hi there from Somerset in the UK, great video thank you, your process is pretty much the same for me, though I often brush on the first sealing coat for a quicker build up of polish, I will often finish off with a wax . Thanks for posting, keep 'em coming
Thank you Paul!
Thanks for walking through your technique - very insightful! from Australia.
I make funeral urns. I use black walnut,oak and maple mostly. I’m going to try your method of filling and polishing. Thank you for video!
Thanks David. I am watching this video from the island of Malta
I am jealous!
very cool video just came across you. quality work. Ireland
I just came across your video on your French Polishing methods. I have used the same methods for about 20 years, just some different products. I will try the products you mentioned. I am from East of Indianapolis Indiana close to the Indiana/Ohio border...15 minutes from Winchester Motor Speedway.
From Cape May, NJ. I'm liking doing this method. Thanks
I have been to Cape May! What a gorgeous place it is!!!
Orange oil.....got to try that out, I work on antique pianos so will try anything to get there, thanks for the video, greetings from Veracruz, Mexico
from Texas! love this restoration!
Tuning in from Abita Springs, looking to refinish some furniture. Great tutorial, thanks. 👍🏻
Watching your video in Scotland,and it was very understandable, educational and well presented. Thanks,regards John
Bravo ; I'm from Argentina ...Thank you
Excellent work my friend. Welcome to Nashville!
Great show from Antrim Ireland.
Very beautiful job. Buffalo NY
Hey man, I'm from Perth Western Australia. Really enjoyed the tips and techniques in this video, I'm going to apply to my table restoration project soon.... Little tip with audio, when using (Rode mics/lapels) if the audio records onto one track (left channel for eg.) you need to fill the opposing empty audio channel so you get full volume output. Premiere Pro has 'Fill Left' or 'Fill Right' in the audio effects panel.... Thanks again man :)
Thank you Paul! please email me Id like to seek more help,. david@clairandco.com
Nice video. Very informative.
I live in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Top job well done Cahal from Ireland
Beautiful table. Amazing work
Watching from Boca Raton FL!! Amazing Job! I can visualize you on a TV show 😎👍
very cool, in san diego calif here, right now
Thanks for showing your work from the UK 👍
Watching in Tennessee!!!
Thank you from Malta
Just getting into wood work. Great video. Watching from Perú.
Great video David. I think i can do it.
I am from Washington State. I have refinished furniture here and there since I was about 16. But I never got into really the back bones of it all. I really got into painting furniture and adding moulds because I love the architectural feel of the "Old World". I usually use 99% real wood products but recently I took a closer look at restoring wood and keeping it original. The older the better. I do like the more satin finishes. I will be exploring your channel. Thank you for this video.
Music is a distraction!!
Great video. Building up the nerve to do this on a pair of end tables. Charlotte NC.
perhaps a cool voice-over is preferable to a narration whilst at work. outstanding video! LOVE! Beautiful restoration!!!
Great suggestion!
Watching you from Bellevue, WA
Interesting video, watching from Brisbane Australia cheers Graham
Stripper and oils. My favorite.
Great video on a topic I've watched countless videos on and still struggle with. A few differences in your technique that I'm looking forward to trying here in Pittston, PA.
Surly you don’t put shellac over wax. unless you want problems down the road
I was wondering the same thing. Seems risky
@@behonestwithyourself3718 he’s a amateur, I’ve been a french polisher for 40 odd years.
I have been doing it for over 30 years and never had any issues. Maybe you're not realizing that the wax is only in the grain?
Shellac goes over wax if it’s only a very thin layer. It will still bond to the wood
The background music is loud, distracting and annoying. Aside from that the video is great.
Hove UK. I have a number of antique tables that need a polish. Looks great 👍🏻 oh and I liked the music
Very interesting to me that shellac will stick to waxed wood. This is new for me! Im beginner so this is not a big thing that I study new things…
An interesting video, however, we see more of you than the various finishes on the table top🤔
Not sure how to help you then, Try another video maybe?
Great thank you David
I like to move the bedroom to the dining room once in awhile- but this table is just way too wobbly
Lol Bob. The tabletop was wobbly because the two pedestals it sits on was removed. The tabletop was on a work trellis/ horse. Loved your comment it made me laugh.
Great video thanks, watching from Windsor England
Ray from Montreal, Canada, very interesting video, i do agree with music being a bit loud at times though and mono sound not being sent to both channels at editing, but hey visual quality is very very nice so just nit picking here. I worked with shellac before but never got to do a French polish (yet). I wish you had mentioned your dilution for the base coats and the polishing. My question is; Since i've only seen guys doing table tops or other flat surfaces, is it possible to French polish more complex structures ? In essence i am in the process of restoring an antique 1937 RCA-Victor vacuum Tube radio that i've stripped and grain filled to death since the cabinet was so damaged. As i'm about to re stain the whole thing i am contemplating different finishing solution, but since it was originally done with shellac it would be nice to preserve the original feel to the piece. But shellac alone is pretty dull so i'm looking at French polishing it, but it's not a table it has detailes mouldings and grill post with carvings. Is it possible to French polish those details or is it better to just polish the top, facing and sides. I don't think you reply to the comments, so if anybody else has experience or ideas, i'm all ears. Thank's for sharing
Here in Connecticut. Have you ever used catalyzed lacquer instead of shellac? It might be more durable.
I have.
Watching from Michigan. Thanks so much for taking the time to show all the steps. Perfection! Oh, and what's with the artwork on the far wall?
Wonderful video, great presentation, I stuck around despite the annoying music, maybe a lower level would help . Thanks!
Noted ! I was learning how to make videos.
I been doing French polishing on pianos for a year now and doing furniture is so much more easier with pianos you have to lay down anything from 200 to 400 layers 😂 before you start thinking about using a rubber but you get that beautiful flat mirror finish
Hi, just watched the French polishing video.... Great. I live in England and have just purchased some French art deco furniture which has some small areas of damage, veneered lifting, missing or spliting, also some woodworm. Do you have any videos on actual repairs?
Thanks
Tony
catch my instagram @davicclairofficial
Please re-upload without the music. Very annoying.
Picked up a violin, not worth a whole lot, but should be a good player. Thanks for the info, this helps a lot. Arkansas
Thank you making and publishing this video. A couple of oops with the squeaky trestle and forgetting to push record, but I have seen the same happen to people who have been producing for years.
What are your thoughts on stopping at the satin stage? Would stopping there give the piece enough protection? I have some pieces that would not suit the high gloss.
Now I suppose I will have to get Instagram. 🤗
Thanks 😎
You have a wonderful touch brother. Your right hand is difficult to develop, and difficult to teach.
Australia 🇦🇺 🌞👍
Great video……the music is VERY distracting though!!!
I am sorry I was learning video editing. I will not use music in future videos.
Great job
Turn the music down when you're talking and working. I can hear you but can't make out what you're saying. Anyway enjoyed the video. I'm in East Texas
Hi David,
I am Danny and i live in Spain.
I really enjoyed the video, very informative but share the view on the music.. turn it off.
Thank you Danny, I am sorry about the music. The internet has spoken! The music was a bad idea on my part.
In my opinion as an experienced professional restorer and conservator of antique furniture for over 35 years, the use of wax underneath a shellac finish is poor practice.
There is no reason to use wax and it’s certainly not used in the UK in this way.
Traditional finishers used plaster or similar to clog the grain but I favour the pigmented thixotropic grain fillers available these days . These have the benefit of staining and filling at the same time and there is no danger of white pumice or plaster showing through.
Looks great. Question ? Would you or why didn’t you use a sealer or wood conditioner on the raw wood. ? Before stain to prevent blotchy ness? With the shellac… was it waxed shellac or un waxed ? I also refinish wood projects for a living. I like using dalys interior satin. It gets you the mirror finish but seems to be more durable. I do the same polishing/ sanding . My clients project coming up is re finishing a French polished table with eaves. The table is dinged and scratched down to the wood. I’m going to sand it all down and start from square one. Thank for the video ? My questions are really about shellac verses the dalys product. Both are ragged on.
I would typically not need a sealer to prevent blotching because I sand down the wood prior with 400 grit.
No volume
Hi from Ontario, Canada, Georgian By area. Thanks for this great video. I am about to start finishing a guitar body and neck, no stain for now. You have simplified the process as compared to some of the other videos out there. I now have some confidence that I will be able to get this done. Is it ok to use the flake mixture as a seal coat? I have a very tight grained highly sanded finish already. I think the wood is Linden. Is it ok to have the wood perfectly sanded.
Flake mix should work fine!
Can you use an electric buffer for this? Maybe with a wool pad change for each step? I ask because for those who are disabled/chronic pain, doing this process might be too much. I love the look but I've got Fibromyalgia and shoulder pain is an issue.
Beautiful
portugal 🙏
Can I French polish over something that was polyurethaned or does the piece needed to be striped.
You could polish over poly but I would recommend to strip it to bare wood first for the best result.
Can an alcohol based stain be used over shellac? Or would it make more sense to dye the shellac with the stain? I’m going to be working on birch that I’ll be oiling with Teak Oil first. I really only want to get some slight coloring from the stain.
I also don’t have a clue regarding what I’m talking about.
Would wax play any part?
Thanks for the video, i am in Baltimore MD, one question, when mixing the shellac was the ratio for the raw shellac to alcohol? Thanks again Ken
I like to buy premade Lubracite 77
Do you ever use raw linseed for lubricant?
Pianos were not Fr. polished.
And were the considered the very highest quality of all finishes once upon a time.
Nice job
Hi,
Tony from UK,
How would you maintain the finish if for instance you were doing the underside of an overhang on a chest of drawers ?,
Also have you got links where to buy the products online that you used?
Great video by the way.
Hi Tony, Please email me I can provide you a list and I also offer virtual workshops. david@clairandco.com
I don't get it/ You applied wax first rather thanpumice and shellac. How did the shellac stick to a waxed surface?
What oil and how much do you put in the shellac? Thanks
Hello, i'm from Belgium. Beautiful table, but it creaks like an old mattress.
Hi David What wood stain did you use? Thanks 👍
Great video, but as someone who is hard of hearing the music was a nightmare trying to hear what you were saying.
Ohio. I've done this before. You taught me here..
Love the jazzy instrumental trip-hop music 🎶
Apologies for the audio in the last scene. Did not catch that the volume was cranked up to 11. 🤫
What's with the music. Just turn it off.
Probably using the music in an attempt to mask the table movement noise to some extent.
From Wisconsin
Please send product types thanks
Great video. Took a lot of fear out of starting to do this finish.
Port Saint Lucie, FL
@@alexbaker240Jeffery Dharma you referring to, or Jeffery Epstein? A human Alexa maybe?
Well, I don’t know either of them personally, but that cawing fucking magpie in the background is slightly annoying.
Anybody out there that could recommend a professional in the Tampa Bay Area to restore the finish on an antique inlaid dining table. It's at least 150 years old. I was told it was built in France for the British market. Oak with fruitwood inlay.
Love the instruction. Would rather not listen to any music though. Is distracting.