Refinishing a Vintage Table with French Polish - a Fixing Furniture Restoration Project

No video

Refinishing a Vintage Table with French Polish - a Fixing Furniture Restoration Project

Рет қаралды 89,379

Күн бұрын

This vintage wood table had a damaged finish on the top and on the shelf. There was no way to save the finish, so I used furniture stripper to remove the old finish. I share some refinishing techniques and collaborate with Trena on the ‪@johnsfurniturerepair‬ KZfaq channel to test out a new furniture stripper.
Once the finish was removed from the table, the top still looked really bad. I sanded it down past the stain to the bare wood before building up the color with dye stains. I chose to use a French Polish finish on this table. I've been doing a lot of research on French Polish and this was my first time using it on a project. I share my experience as I built up the finish through multiple layers of shellac to get a beautiful finish.
RESOURCES:
Spreader Clamp Testing • Clamp Tool Review - Tr...
Antique Tea Cart Restoration • Restoring an Antique T...
Book - Classic Finishing Techniques (French Polishing - amzn.to/3XMghdx
RESOURCES:
Wood Stain Color Wheel: amzn.to/3PTr40W
🇨🇦 Canadian link - amzn.to/3PLGmVq
Garnet Shellac Flakes - amzn.to/3W2K3Kc
Book: Classic Finishing Techniques (French Polishing details) - amzn.to/3FVWIcn
🇨🇦 amzn.to/3YvBhpD
Book: Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing - amzn.to/3HFFeST
🇨🇦 amzn.to/3hyZkU0
Book: Understanding Wood Finishing - amzn.to/3BExjS4
🇨🇦 amzn.to/3iZUbVq
Book: Methods of Work: Finishing: The best tips from 25 years of Fine Woodworking - amzn.to/3HIvdEh
🇨🇦 amzn.to/3Wskfan
Note: purchases made with these links help contribute to our video production work
Fixing Furniture is not only a KZfaq channel but it's also a membership community. Get access to videos before they're published on KZfaq, watch all the videos without ads, get downloadable reference sheets, and participate in Fixing Furniture Live every two weeks. Learn more about membership at www.fixingfurn...
OUR NEWSLETTER - Sign up at www.fixingfurn...
See the tools we use in our workshop and the tools we recommend: www.amazon.com...
🇨🇦 Canadian link - www.amazon.ca/...
Fixing Furniture is hosted by Scott Bennett, Owner of Wooden It Be Nice - Furniture Repair in Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. WoodenItBeNice.ca
#refinishing #vintage #FrenchPolish

Пікірлер: 512

@jtjjbannie Жыл бұрын

This is the Bob Ross of woodworking guys.

@pastorwillwaggoner7014 5 ай бұрын

Bro, you drove 3 hours to consult with another KZfaqR???? Stellar move, Scott. Wisdom and promoting others rather hindering. Bravo, sir.

@FixingFurniture 5 ай бұрын

Glad you appreciate it. Thank you for sharing that! Scott

@chefsolidOriginal Жыл бұрын

Leave the tack strip off in my opinion. Amazing job you have done on that, nice work!

@bsyishay Жыл бұрын

I agree, the table looks amazing without the tack strip.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing that! Scott

@edeppel6710 Жыл бұрын

@@FixingFurniture Looks more like a period piece without the tack strip. The tack strip looks... well, "tacky". :) Watched most of your videos this year. Enjoying the channel and your approach to repairs.

@QueenBee-gx4rp Жыл бұрын

Definitely off. I have a clover table also; but it’s walnut and English. I got it at an estate sale at a large Colonial house built in 1750 in Norfolk, CT, USA. It is smaller than yours but has the same round water mark where someone left a flower pot on it-who knows how many years ago? I haven’t tackled it yet, but think I’ll have the courage now. Thanks for all the careful instructions.

@lucyhanks500 4 ай бұрын

⁠@@QueenBee-gx4rpwell that comment was 1 year ago, so how long were you planning on taking? In the meantime, a full housing estate has been built round the corner with Road names like clover and people jibing on the mind map seems worse than ever? Although admittedly I’m still being pointed back to comments and read what people are saying completely differently; nothing like feeling like you’ve been in limbo under a space ship for decades, like flight of the navigator and ever covert content is streamed as an algorithm through a tv or radio. I mean…was it intended as satanic ritual/spiritual abuse towards some test tube babies, or is there an actual purpose? The bullying ghosts and the long amount of time watching constant deceit is rather disheartening to faith in humanity and the hope of peace in the mind at some point in life? If only later life.

@jonathan90881 Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate the fact that you brought out the SDS. I feel like it's something that maybe a lot of people don't know about, and I very rarely see it mentioned at all, especially on KZfaq, so I appreciate the fact that you took the time to show it and warn people about the potential hazards that chemicals can pose and what you can do to mitigated the risk, and also how to find that information.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you appreciate that Jonathan! I included it to help people stay safe as I've seen some retired craftsmen with health issues. Cheers. Scott

@GirdsHerStrength Жыл бұрын

I think it’s the right decision to leave off the tack strip. Thanks for including the Canadian sources! 🇨🇦 I sometimes find it difficult to get things like shellac and burn-in sticks in the local stores.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Thanks for sharing that feedback. Cheers. Scott

@skivvywaver8437 Жыл бұрын

Noticed you were adding the DNA right over your top. Any drops of alcohol would have ruined your finish. Don’t ask me how I know this.

@casst346 Жыл бұрын

Nice! High, high, quality work! Thanks for Sharing..

@Redraven2967 Жыл бұрын

I love your method of French polish. I use a similar method regularly in my shop with different colors of shellac. Something that gives my French Polish a little something extra, a little bit more depth, is that I add a hi light color with dye in blond shellac in the final coats. Sometimes it’s a color that is naturally occurring in the grain or just something that I feel makes the piece really pop. It’s popular with many of my customers.

@thesehandsart Жыл бұрын

Love Trena and now I'm glad to have found you too!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

That's great! Trena is a lovely person to work with! Scott

@hotwireman49 Жыл бұрын

Some people have such patience!

@lenaepoppe6194 Жыл бұрын

Most excellent! Thankyou for sharing your journey!

@jeanine6492 Жыл бұрын

You need a tighter rubber. Put the cotton in the centre of the outer rag and form it into a parcel by bringing up all the sides to gather and twisting them until the cotton is tight inside a little wad. The wad is then able to be glided lightly across the surface leaving a fine film of shellac. You open up the wad or fad I think it’s called to add more shellac to the cotton, twist up again test to see the shellac is coming out and keep going again. 100 coats I was taught. 😂 it goes quickly though!!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice Jeanine! That's helpful and I hope others like it too. Cheers. Scott

@Thataliah Жыл бұрын

lol, you don't count coats with a french polish.

@joansmith9658 Жыл бұрын

I marvel at your skill & patience. The table is stunning.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Glad you like it Joan. Thanks for sharing that. Scott

@normagrimstad8869 4 ай бұрын

I love Trena! She rocks.

@paulsimmons390 Жыл бұрын

love your working with a friend and neighbor. Thank you for the information you have given us.

@pinkladycool100 Жыл бұрын

I love Trena's work. You couldn't ask anyone better for expert advice.

@pinkladycool100 Жыл бұрын

thank you but I live in the UK so maybe you can choose someone else.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

There was someone impersonating our account with a scam that left that previous comment. I've blocked them from posting comments and reported them to KZfaq for the scam.

@patriciasiefert7140 8 ай бұрын

Love Trena!

@abigailhamiltonactor Жыл бұрын

I loved to see you working with Trena, (She was the first restorer that I came across, a few years back) but what made me smile most, was the way you set off, on a 3/4 hour drive, as though you were just "popping out to the shops". In the UK, that would almost be considered an expedition, LOL. I'm also glad that you made a point of underlining the potential hazards, and the precautions that must be taken when using a harsh chemical stripper! Thanks for that, 👍

@alpetterson9452 Жыл бұрын

I think you made the right chouce. The tack strip makes the whole table took bad. Nice job polishing too

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you Al. Scott

@cecedubois5147 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful job!!

@cecedubois5147 Жыл бұрын

And I'd leave the tack strip off. 👍

@myeyedea Жыл бұрын

I think the tack strip looked nice, added some more character and definition to the table.

@margaretdellinger2872 Жыл бұрын

Trena did one of these tables on her channel and she put the tape back on and even ordered replacement beads.

@lisafrancis7534 Жыл бұрын

Yay you are both my favorite furniture restoration channel plus the thomas johnson guy would be great to see all 3 of you guys collaborate

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that Lisa. Here's a video I did with Tom about wood glue for furniture restoration. Cheers. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p7FgfLVpvLrDmnk.html

@dawn5227 Жыл бұрын

Definitely looks better without the tack strip. It was my immediate thought when seeing this table. It just looked wrong, like it was an add on at some point in its history of refinishing.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks Dawn!

@pirakoXX Жыл бұрын

What a transformation. Very well done, and a beautiful piece of furniture! PS: When working with natural materials, remember: Nature is perfectly imperfect!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

@ronmack1767 Жыл бұрын

Enjoyed the video Scott and the visit to Trena's shop. Wow what a transformation. That shine is awesome. I'm like you I don't like the tacks around the top edge. I'd leave them off. Never heard of or seen that Dutch treat here in North Carolina. You all take care and God bless. Happy New Year.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks Ron. Happy New Year to you too! Scott

@philomenahearn1717 Жыл бұрын

It’s a beautiful finish.

@blowfishv8n Жыл бұрын

Hagelslag... chocolate on toast for breakfast! 👍👍👍👍

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Yes! A breakfast of champions! Cheers. Scott

@davebenson1021 Жыл бұрын

I like your process of a timely decision. So many people get too impatient. Well thought out plans and time and error are reliable teachers. Thank you for the video. I am going to watch it again as I have had thoughts of french polishing but the jury is still out for me. Again, you provide very good videos for people to learn their craft. Ps, off with the tack strip is my vote.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed this video Dave. I appreciate the feedback as I find it encouraging. Thanks for your thoughts as well on the tack strip. Scott

@robinredman5192 Жыл бұрын

In my research I have seen most of these tables without the trim. Great job and have a very Merry Christmas and continued success. Two of my favorite furniture re-finishers, Scott and Trena. In regards to stripping the legs, I have seen this done many times by Trena. She basically places the leg in a container and then washes the stripper over the leg again and again with her brush, then finishes it with the steel wool. It seems to work well for her. Thanks for what you do. John here from the back-roads of Northeastern Tennessee.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that John. I appreciate it! Scott

@kristenranda3882 Жыл бұрын

wow wow wow! so glad I fond you.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Glad you found our channel. Please share with others. Thanks. Scott 🇨🇦

@bobbieedmondson677 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tidbits, I'm just learning about the different woods and the types of finish to use

@KD-mj2ms Жыл бұрын

Aside from this being interesting and informative, I really appreciate your highlighting of safe handling and responsible disposal of all chemicals involved. Wonderfully done! Thank you!

@AnnMarieDubas Жыл бұрын

No tacks! Table looks amazing. Ann Marie@48

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that Ann Marie! Scott

@bsyishay Жыл бұрын

Beautiful table, I love you the fact that you're joining forces with Trena.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you. As you can tell, we had fun working together. Cheers. Scott

@pitsnipe5559 Жыл бұрын

Neat to see you partner with Trenna on this project. When it comes to finishing she’s not only a master craftsman but a true artist. That table looks incredible. I would leave off the faux nail heads.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate it! Scott

@samuelroberts334 Жыл бұрын

No tack strip. Great job!!!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Yes! Thank you!

@FitnessGramma Жыл бұрын

Thank you for a most complete tutorial! And definitely no tack strip - the bevel look to the edge of the table is graceful and lovely.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your thoughts on that. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers. Scott

@johnfederkeil9211 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful table! The finish turned out great! Don't add the edging, it looks much better without.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you for that John. Scott

@randalmayeux8880 Жыл бұрын

Good job on the French polish! For stripping the old finish I use Kleen Strip 3 and lacquer thinner. Either do it outside or use a strong exhaust fan. Wear gloves,a respirator and an apron.

@wackowacko8931 Жыл бұрын

This is known as a turnkey table, because the clover shape looks like the top of a skeleton key. Skeleton keys were also known as "turnkeys" at the end of the 1800s. It is also commonly called a "turkey table", where the N was dropped, because the word turnkey dropped out of common usage. Turkey sounded almost exactly the same, so the common name became a "turkey table".

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Interesting. I haven't heard that terminology before. Thank you for sharing that. Scott

@cattycorner8 Жыл бұрын

That is the same mirror finish my new Stickley mahogany dresser had. Exquisite!

@danielhoward8354 Жыл бұрын

The stuff thats worse for you is always the best

@helenaneumann1872 10 ай бұрын

First and foremost, II'm a great admirer of your workn order to achieve a beautiful result with my shellac polish, first comes the pore filling, without which, in my opinion, a satisfactory result cannot be achieved with open-pored wood such as mahogany, walnut or even ash (Biedermeier furniture from southern Germany often has an ash veneer). I generally also give birch and cherry tree veneers a pore filling, because the more closed the pores, the shinier and smoother the shellac polish is afterwards. To fill the pores, I use shellac blonde wax diluted in a ratio of 1:5 or 6, and I use pumice flour as a pore filler. The bale is constructed like the one for the shellac polish: an old, fine linen on the outside, then a piece of cotton and pure wool on the inside, because pure wool has the best absorption capacity for the liquid. When filling the pores, the ball soaked in shellac must be wet, unlike when polishing. I dip the cotton side of the bale into the pumice flour, add the linen over it and can now rub the pumice flour into the pores. Each piece of wood needs several passes. I let a day pass between each cycle so that the filling can settle, then I sand lightly and start again. With cherry trees and birches, only three passes are often enough, and with ash I have had more than 10 passes. Then the shellac polish follows. The pores all need to be closed. Of course not. But I love a mirror-smooth, glossy surface, especially with Biedermeier. Yes, it is a complex process. But the benefits are unmatched when it comes to synthetic polishes. You can always build on a shellac polish!

@FixingFurniture 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing the techniques that are working for you. That's helpful to understand for me and our viewers. Thanks for taking the time to explain this. Scott #tip

@GregInNature Жыл бұрын

Thanks Scott. That was really interesting and turned out beautiful. I was especially impressed with your magentic tipped hammer. And I would leave the tack strip off

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks Greg! Good to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing your thoughts on the tack strip.

@cynthiat6505 Жыл бұрын

So much nicer without the trim. Gorgeous!

@MissLady-pq4hc Жыл бұрын

No tack strip.beautiful w/out it.❤️

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Scott

@dzymslizzy3641 Жыл бұрын

I don't like that tack strip. I'd definitely leave it off. Beautiful job restoring that table!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Scott

@tedlym.3390 10 ай бұрын

My two favorite furniture restorers in one video. I'm going to feint, but I'll wait until the video ends. Thank you,

@MrMalcolmkr 8 ай бұрын

Hey Scott. I only recently found your channel, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I dabble a little with woodworking and have made the exact mistakes that you say to avoid, and as a result I've learnt a massive amount from your channel. On the question of stripping, I've always preferred the heat technique using a heat gun, followed by a 220-320 grit light sanding, and used a polyurethane varnish. I'm not a great fan of chemicals at all unless absolutely no other option. Great channel. Regards from Australia.

@Tla81 Жыл бұрын

I love Trena! I am huge fan of hers besides your of course!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing that Tanya! Scott

@travel734 Жыл бұрын

Great video. One comment on the 3rd step is to try sprinting the mineral oil directly on the piece, rather than on the polisoir. It seems to be easer to control. It is a bit like sprinkling holy water on the area that you want to polish. I find it easier to feel for the resistance. I use a scrap from an old Italian sheet for the outside of the polisoir and a scrap from an old wool undershirt for the inside. I was fortunate to learn the techniques from a master of French Polishing in Florence Italy. It takes time and so much of it is just muscle memory.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you for the tips! That must have been a fascinating learning experience. I appreciate you sharing that. Scott

@nicktaylor2820 Жыл бұрын

Good job and greetings from the UK. My view is leave the tack strip off - looks a lot classier without

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you Nick! Cheers. Scott

@lenaepoppe6194 Жыл бұрын

Thankyou for saving this absolute piece of art! Beautiful job!

@jennifermcdonald5432 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for all your incredibly valuable information! You are a brilliant workman!

@skitzochik Жыл бұрын

YAYYYYY TRENA!!! LOVE HERRRR!

@jaytitus902 Жыл бұрын

LOVE Trena. So amazing. Thanks for doing the colab. Your piece turned out beautiful.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed our collaboration. Cheers! Scott

@CARLOSTREUIL Жыл бұрын

Nice video. I liked the comparison between strippers. In the past I have used the gel type stripper to keep drips to a minimum. I also installed a 24 inch fan in one wall of my shop to move out chemicals. For my last refinishing project I chucked up the legs in my lathe and turned it by hand to sand, stain and varnish them. It give you an extra pair of hands and better visibility for checking your work. A bit of news print will protect your lathe from any spills.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

That's a great tip Herb to use a lathe on the turned parts! That's smart! Thanks. Scott #tip

@RestorationAustralia Жыл бұрын

Nicely done.😊

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@masonmoyer4592 7 ай бұрын

Amazing!

@kraftfamilyadventures2100 Жыл бұрын

The piece looks great as is. Leave the tack strip off. Nice job.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing that! Scott

@marymasden6616 Жыл бұрын

Tack strip off good job once again.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that Mary! Scott

@laneyh2121 Жыл бұрын

That surface is beautiful

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you Laney!

@nappyheadedhoe Жыл бұрын

no tack strip.Less is more in this case.AWSOME french polishing lesson.Thanks.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it Jordan! Scott

@Hawkeyelaotzu Жыл бұрын

The method I have used for stripping shellac is a mix of lacquer thinner and paint thinner. The thicker the shellac the more paint thinner needed to soften it. Of course proper mask safety and ventilation need to be used with these chemicals. The advantage is that there is no waiting and it is less expensive than strippers. The disadvantage is that everything needs to be washed to get the smell of lacquer thinner out of the wood. I use a mix of Murphys Oil soap, vinegar and Borax in water which I learned from Thomas Johnson. Also this would not be a useful solution where you cannot clean areas properly like the joinery on a panelled dresser. Thanks, Scott, for sharing your expertise with us.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing those details! I appreciate it! Scott #tip

@lucyhargis Жыл бұрын

No! It looks beautiful as is!!

@lesleyyoung5730 Жыл бұрын

Great job! I know it's not meant to be, but I kept seeing Mickey Mouse in the cloverleaf design and couldn't unsee it throughout the video.

@jill552 Жыл бұрын

No tack strip. Good video.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Scott

@lynelalonde2827 6 ай бұрын

I like the decorative strip.

@FixingFurniture 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that! Scott

@johnsfurniturerepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the awesome time! Great work on finishing it! Cheers!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

I'm seeing some comments here that viewers watch your channel as well Trena. I had fun working with you on this! Maybe we should plan something for 2023! Cheers

@deltekkie7646 Жыл бұрын

Interesting... I didn't think anyone used tacks anymore. BTW...very nice job. The table looks great!

@Msmorningsunrise Жыл бұрын

Hi, I think you should get a tack strip with a darker color almost matching the table. My reason for this is that the wooden edge of the table will be protected from bumps and damage, it will look good without being too obvious and will be more in line with the original concept of the table.

@aaqilian5.085 Жыл бұрын

You paying for it? 😔

@jan-martenvandijk3356 Жыл бұрын

Haha. chocolade hagelslag en bosvruchten hagelslag. Heerlijk. Thank you for this video.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Your welcome! Goededag. Scott

@rosannamize6622 Жыл бұрын

Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration has some videos on what you are trying to accomplish. Great job!

@wayne3793 Жыл бұрын

Definitely watching the before and after pics, I prefer without tackstrip. Does not look right being on there to begin with. Great job on the finishing.

@rayvin357 7 ай бұрын

you realize that you can make a humungous amount of dollars (US) french polishing. and your excellent 1 hr and 3 minute video will make you a pauper!

@carolg.6838 Жыл бұрын

No tack strip. Nice French polish with the Christmas cards reflecting. Thanks for the info n the hazards of chemicals. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I have been watching Trenna for awhile.

@sharonshields1482 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your work. I would leave the tack strip off. You should watch Thomas Johnson's Antiques, he has a great French Polish video I think he would be a great resource for you. I didn't miss your sharpening tools with Trena either.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Yes, Tom has a lot of experience. Here's a video we did together about wood glue for furniture restoration. Cheers. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p7FgfLVpvLrDmnk.html

@lesneilson5632 Жыл бұрын

Leave it off it looks clean and elegant

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on that Les! That's what Laurie (my wife) thought too. Cheers. Scott

@lessnyder6245 Жыл бұрын

I really like the collaborations with the other professionals. Funny thing is that I follow Trena and Tom as well as you. I guess technically the the tack strip fits the era of the piece but I would leave it off.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback on the collaborations Les and your thoughts on the tack strip. I appreciate it. Scott

@stevedombrowik5586 Жыл бұрын

I would put the tack strip on. It adds another element to the piece. Looks great!

@MRMETZGAR1962 Жыл бұрын

I have this same table. Thank you for this video. I have left the studs on the top. Because that is the way my grandparents had it.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Oh, cool. Do you have any idea of the age of your table?

@MRMETZGAR1962 Жыл бұрын

@@FixingFurniture I don’t know it was at my grandparents and afte they died I spotted it in a back bedroom storage room. So I would be guessing.

@anthonywall5227 Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

You're welcome

@danieldoss1987 Жыл бұрын

Very nice. And I was able to get my Trenna fix! Happy Holidays!

@SteveC86 11 ай бұрын

I’m glad you made it to 100k, even a few months later than anticipated. This is a good channel, informative and seeing old furniture getting repaired correctly is always satisfying.

@pagdesigns Жыл бұрын

Scott, I really enjoy learning your techniques for repairing and re-finishing furniture, and the care you apply in your work. I followed your suggestion and got myself a copy of “Classic Finishing Techniques”. Very nice book that provides a detailed guide for the French Polishing techniques, and a nice history and description of the old-style wood finishing products used in the last 200 years, which helps put in perspective their usage and usefulness for specific applications. Thanks for all the info you provide.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that Patrick. Glad you like the book. Cheers

@1339LARS Жыл бұрын

Great job, and the shine made me go nuts!!! thank you!!! //Lars And dont put them there beads ON!!!!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you Lars! Scott

@michaelhenderson5683 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that process Scott , nice work 👏👏👍 Beading off, even the original didn't look correct for the piece

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@StfuFFS Жыл бұрын

Trena's stripper is supercharged.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Yes, the commercial product works very quick, but you have to be licensed to use it. Cheers. Scott

@tanyacordes5916 Жыл бұрын

I like that you left the 80s biker jacket vibe off the side if the table! Awesome job!

@jomercer21113 Жыл бұрын

Considering you need to use 4 or 6 times the amount of "safe" stripper and expose yourself to it for hours, I wonder just how safer it is compared to the old fast-acting chemicals. Your table looks very similar to one my grandmother bought in the late 1930-early 1940s. I've had the best French polish results following PabloRequena on youtube methods for using shellac and pumice filling. Flexner's book is great. I'd hit the tack strip with a couple of coats of ruby shellac to tone it down. Lovely results!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thanks for suggesting PabloRequena. I will look at his videos. Thanks as well for your thoughts on the tack strip. I appreciate it. Scott

@tedlym.3390 7 ай бұрын

I love French polish, I love Trena, and I'm fond of you. I would restore it to the way it left the factory. Thank you,

@LellandLilly Жыл бұрын

Good day Scott. I would like to echo a previous comment regarding watching yours and Trena's channel. I especially enjoyed the collaboration between you two, hoping this endeavor continues on potential future videos. I just took out to the garage/workshop 5 plastic peanut butter and mayonnaise jars. They are wonderful; for holding numerous odds and sods found in many workshops; and they won't shattered. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

That's awesome reuse! Thanks. Merry Christmas Wayne!

@nickkotsoglou7478 Жыл бұрын

Well done! I agree with you, it looks better without tack strip

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you Nick! Scott

@johnpinner1 Жыл бұрын

No stack strip looks more modern this way. Merry xmas

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Thank you John. Merry Christmas to you too. Scott

@bobfugazy4916 10 ай бұрын

I think it came out beautifully, nice job.

@vickiehadd4324 Жыл бұрын

The tacks on the outer edge absolutely beautifully accent this piece. DEFINITELY keep them on. 👍🏻❤️

@joepeanut6827 10 ай бұрын

For me I use a piece of PVC Pipe with a cap on one end. that is just bigger in diameter and about the same length as the leg im going to strip. then i put the leg in in to the pipe and pour the stripper over it and let it set. after a wait time i take the leg out and clean off any finish that i can, then put it back until it is finished, just flip the leg over and do the other end. it makes it nice because you don't have to throw away the stripper, you can reuse it again just put a cap on the open end so it doesn't dry out. it also helps to contain the fumes from getting in to the shop.

@mrscalifdreamer Жыл бұрын

My two favorite people! What a treat!

@FixingFurniture Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks!

@crouchvalewoodcraft Жыл бұрын

leave the tack strip off - the table looks better without it. You've doen a great job with the finish, looks fantastic.

@randalmayeux8880 10 ай бұрын

Good job, especially for the 1st time. I first used shellac and oil on lathe work when I was 12. In fact, in woodshop class, shellac and varnish were the only 2 finishes we were allowed to use in 7th and 8th grades. I've had over 20 years experience as a professional furniture maker and finisher in a high end custom shop. I use mostly nitrocellulose lacquer, though sometimes varnish, shellac, oil and wax, polyurethane (my least favorite finish), and epoxy are called for. When doing finish work at home, I usually use shellac and oil, mainly because of fumes and flammability issues. By the way, when using oils and oil based stain, never dispose of the rags in the trash. They can spontaneously combust! I've had it happen when my bosses teenage son didn't heed my instructions to put the rags in a bucket of water. It happened when we were driving back from Dallas in his father's truck. People kept honking at us on the freeway and pointing. Finally I looked and saw smoke coming from the back of the truck. We pulled over and several moving blankets were on fire. He had stuffed the oily rags in a bag and the blankets were on top of it. I sprayed them down with several cans of Dr. Pepper, which helped, but we ended up leaving them beside the road. For stripping you can't beat KS-3! It contains methyl chloride which works great. I use it in the finish room, which has an heavy duty exhaust fan. Always wear gloves! It stings really bad when it gets on your skin, so make sure to wear goggles and don't breathe the fumes. Keep practicing the French polish and learn to build up the finish in multiple coats. You can also get a satin or even a full finish by using #4 pumice stone or 0000 steel wool lubed very lightly with flax soap. Good luck!