What Is a French Polish or a Wax Polish

Рет қаралды 16,387

8 ай бұрын

French Polish is a great way to start arguments but an even better way to finish the woodwork!
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Пікірлер: 126

@hungrycolby Ай бұрын

Just heard the french polish term for the first time and had to do a quick search. Love your shorts, so I was glad to see you had a video on it. Fantastic explanation, thank you!

@HandlebarWorkshops 8 ай бұрын

I gotta say that this is the first time I've ever heard of a French Polish using wax. I've always known of a French Polish to be a labor intensive way that shellac (specifically, not wax or anything else) is applied to wood. And it always results in a very glossy shine. When I saw this video, I was wondering how you would do a French Polish in less than 8 minutes.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

This particular topic is a great way to start arguments. For the sake of the video, both the English method and the old French method are French-Polish. But if you talk to many luthiers, they will say that only the English method is French polish, and the French method is wax polish. So it comes down to who you ask as to how you name things. That's the fun of hand-tool woodworking. It's been around so long, and names have been passed back and forth across the pond that there is no standard naming for much of anything.

@orellinvvardengra6775 8 ай бұрын

@@WoodByWrightHowToI had to google what a luthier was because I just naturally assumed something along the lines of Lutheran religion. Boy howdy I was way off. Instruments is what it is and it makes so much more sense lol! Keep up the good work!

@johnford7847 8 ай бұрын

One thing I really appreciate about you is your attitude regarding "the right way to do ..." I also do not believe there is one best or correct way to do things in this craft. I learned about French polishing from a luthier's perspective and find your video quiet interesting. I'm glad you included references for further reading. Thank you.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

I love the work that goes into polishing that some luthiers do. I linked to one in the description that I have watched many times.

@JamesBrown-yn7xr 8 ай бұрын

Yes, new perspective for me. I've learnt french polishing and applied to my ancentors mahogoney table. I used the traditional method of a wad and rag with shelllac and meths(english for de-natured alcohol) Careful not to remove exisiting coats with patenta applied more layer over weeks as a beginner it took many more coats and time than required. But the rubbing down with each coat also teaches and also you realise a massive advantage over modern finish. It's very easily repairable. No major errors all easily fixed with elbow greese.

@mrrobscleaningservice6059 8 ай бұрын

I like the way you did this video with the shellac informing us of the multiple different ways you can apply it, I also like the way you finished the video.

@marcbarash6045 8 ай бұрын

Thanks James, really great information here....

@DaddyBooneDon 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for this vid. As always, lots of great info

@douglasmagruder 8 ай бұрын

Great video James.

@otakarschon 8 ай бұрын

I have made some paste wax inspired by your recipe and it seems i will now have to make some more. The polishing really looks like fun

@MJFacas 7 ай бұрын

My interest in this waxes and wanes. Keep up the good work.

@karlgarnett7445 8 ай бұрын

My grandfather use to French polish and taught my mother how to do it his way " The system he and my mother" used was with a Burlap folded up and repeat and repeated layers of shellac.. I Sadly never got my head around on how to do it.

@dereksmith2910 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the lesson in French polishing techniques, Jim.

@hassanal-mosawi4235 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing that!

@noahfreeman8115 8 ай бұрын

love this - shellac is my favorite finish but I Still have so much to learn about it

@valentinkovshik 8 ай бұрын

I like the shellac finish. From my experience, it is very straightforward and even relaxing to apply with a small textile pad, looks excellent (+kind of vintage look), dries in seconds, is non-toxic, etc. The only downside, it's not very water-resistant, but you can use the paste wax on top.

@joelhollingsworth2374 8 ай бұрын

I've had success finishing bare wood with soap jelly, made by shredding or grinding ordinary bar soap and adding enough water to make a paste about like oatmeal. It results in a lighter color than most drying oils or wax finishes, and it's kind of nice how washing it also refreshes the finish. It takes a few coats to really work, but it's a good choice for a parent of young children like myself: not especially toxic, self-bittering, not time-sensitive, and hard-wearing/repairable.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

Soap finishes are fun. you see those a lot in north east Europe traditions.

@cottrilltoolwoodworks 8 ай бұрын

I highly suggest watching Don's videos.. extremely informative.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

so true. I linked to a lot of them in the description. love his work.

@scottswineford6714 8 ай бұрын

My grandfather was a big fan of shellac, he also really enjoyed a cocktail so, because grandma was a bit less graceful after a few martinis, he put on many layers of wax to try to protect the shellac.. I primarily use shellac for making oops and bughole filler with cutting dust.

@wendigo1968 4 ай бұрын

most of my work is guitar building, so it normally starts with some form of colourant, usually leather dye thinned out with alchohol. then it's shellac, one of my favorite finishes is a black dye sanded back, and layers of shellac with multiple colours added to them. one extra fun finishing technique i've been doing is specifically for ash, hit it quickly with a blow torch just enough to darken the grain, then about 5 layers of shellac, then a couple layers of paste wax just to bring up some more shine, all my polishing is done with old t-shirt or sweatshirt rags

@christophertronier7363 8 ай бұрын

My favorite method of polish is using several thick layers of lacquer sanding it lightly in between each layer. If the coats go on smoothly, I will rub a paper bag over the wood giving it a mat finish. I will let it harden for a day, then I will use paste wax and buff it out. I have never tried shellac. I hate using polyurethane.

@kencarlile1212 8 ай бұрын

I've been making small boxes recently and finishing them with multiple layers of 1.5lb cut shellac from blonde flakes. I've been using a dauber made from a wad of cheesecloth wrapped in some old t-shirt material and zip tied together. It's been working pretty well, but I need to work on my technique to stop leaving small tracks...

@sgctactics 8 ай бұрын

Pablo requena is another guy worth checking out, especially for that mirror finish shellac based type. He makes classical guitars where that sheen is highly preferred and is very verbose on his technique. Haven't seen an actual polisher stick against raw wood before, I'm definitely gonna be trying one of those when I fire up the lathe again

@egbluesuede1220 8 ай бұрын

wait until the end.....the "outraaaageous French Accent" is worth it! Yeah, and cool vid on french polish too. I learned something today and will have to play around with this myself.

@RobertBoyles-bo5qm 8 ай бұрын

Thank you down below

@Davis_Tool_Systems 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for this great video shall I bring anything from France for Monday?

@yesh3 8 ай бұрын

I always finished off a shellac French polish with a fine steel wool and then wax.

@shamardaniel4819 8 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Like really… I love this finish when I see it done but I don’t exactly understand what it is!!

@dandelie2067 8 ай бұрын

I have always used poly urethane base. If it is oak it needs to be sanded ( 6oo grit) After the first coat. One more light coat. When it is dry. I use 000 steel wool and paste wax. Wax on rub and wax off. It gives a butter smooth finish to the touch. It stays around mat finish.

@garydargan6 8 ай бұрын

Back at school more years ago than I care to remember I saw a demonstration of french polishing using fine pumice powder wrapped in chamois leather which was used to apply very thin shellac. It gave a really nice finish. Now a question. I have two old art deco style wardrobes which have beautiful veneers including some really nice burl inlays. The finish has a few scratches which I can lightly sand out but the main problem is the finish itself which might be shellac. How do I identify old finishes? The other problem is that years of waxing and polishing has left a dirty build up which obscures what I can see is very nice wood grain pattern Any advice on how to remove it and refinish. Can I use polyurethane to refinish. Also while the veneer looks sound the grain has started to open and crack. Do I have to do anything before refinishing or will the finish correct that? Perhaps another video idea? Thanks.

@mm9773 8 ай бұрын

The job title “french polisher” is still being used in the UK by some people, and I find it confusing. Unless I’m mistaken it refers to woodworkers who repair and restore furniture, it’s not meant to describe someone who just looks after the finish. Brits being Brits.

@stevelloyd897 8 ай бұрын

There may not be a right way but there is always a Wright way!

@dpmeyer4867 8 ай бұрын

thanks

@Feralhyena 8 ай бұрын

Like dry-brushing a miniature with metallic paint. The hand motion is the same, albeit with a heavier application.

@thebestmaidens 8 ай бұрын

Thats pretty interesting, I hadn't realized there were so many different ways to do a French polish

@mizum3458 8 ай бұрын

I once heard a man that visited a French brothel say something very similar 😐

@thebestmaidens 8 ай бұрын

@@mizum3458 😳

@J.A.Smith2397 8 ай бұрын

What I shinning example of a video

@jameslouder 7 ай бұрын

I was tickled when the video began by announcing, "Polissoir Spelled Correcctly"😆-- so imagine my horror at hearing you pronounce the word "polly-shoor"😱! Ah non, Monsieur...je vous en prie..😖I happen to live in Montreal, where we actually speak French, so I hope you won't mind my correcting you. 🧐The closest English pronunciation would be "poh-ly-SWAHR". ☺ Coming from the world of musical instruments, my understanding of "French polish" has always meant the technique of building up thin coats of shellac with a little bit of oil in it, using a felt pad wrapped in cotton. It's not just for violins and classical guitars--the perfectly uniform sheen on the finest grand pianos is done the same way. But you're right that the French themselves are far from doctrinaire about this, particularly when it comes to finishing furniture. Beeswax, as you say, was old Roubo's warhorse and a very beautiful finish it makes. Thanks for all these great videos--keep 'em coming!

@peterdewitt8585 8 ай бұрын

Don sells blocks of wax and shellac mixed together. He had a demo at Handworks 2023 where he was finishing marquetry. He loaded the surface up with wax to the point it was tacky. Publishing in all that wax and shellac with the burnisher made for a wonderful final product.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

That is where I bought this one. I lost my old one years ago.

@donwilliams3356 8 ай бұрын

Slight correction: these are not blocks of beeswax and shellac, they are blocks of beeswax and shellac wax.

@MCsCreations 8 ай бұрын

Fantastic info, James! Thanks! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

@bernardoalves 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for this great video, I learned a lot! Quick question, what is that polisher tool made of? Is it something I can make?

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

Broom bristles.

@ardenthebibliophile 8 ай бұрын

I appreciate the mechanistic rather than ritualistic view of a French polish. Also, I learned the hard way that French polish is NOT water resistant enough for a shower stool. Sad but lesson learned!

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

Oh that one hurt deep inside.

@cliffwood7386 8 ай бұрын

It definitely threw me off when I found out that "French Polish" (meaning many thin layers of shellac buffed to high gloss) is an English technique, and French polish (meaning the traditional method of polishing wood in France) was done primarily with wax! I definitely need to give both a try some day - I love the look of a high-gloss shellac, and to me a wax finish feels excellent in the hand.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

the woodworking world is full of crazy naming constructs. it always makes for the best arguments to sit back and watch!

@ping170 8 ай бұрын

I'd be really curious to know what your source is for wax being the base of French polish.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

There are several French books on the topic. However the earliest one I know of is Andre Roubo.

@cliffwood7386 8 ай бұрын

@@ping170 I am afraid I can't find the exact source - I briefly fell down a rabbit hole of historical furniture restoration, and was reading about the restoration of a French antique. The author noted that they would not be using what the English call French polish, but rather the much more traditional burnished wax, with a footnote explaining the difference between the two. It was translated from French, so perhaps something was lost.

@ping170 8 ай бұрын

@@cliffwood7386 I'd be curious to see the untranslated source ;) Depending on what you consider "French polish" is the translation of (or is translated to) mays give clues: I'd go for "vernis au tampon" (eventhough "tampon" might be misunderstood by some english speakers), literally meaning something close to "pad/wad varnish": this implies : 1 - Some varnish, which shellac can definitely qualify for, even-though furniture restorers also add some other natural components in the mix 2 - Pad/wad (and most likely not polissoir, the cool tool James presented in this video), which is the tool used to apply the afore mentioned varnish in zillions of (extra diluted) layers (the more the better). The disadvantage of the process is that it takes an awful time (and also a pinch of know-how) to apply the many layers, and mostly that his finish can be very fragile (high sensitivity to beverages, but not only) and requires some care, as opposed to modern petrochemical varnishes.

@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164 8 ай бұрын

"You'll actually see people going absolutely bonkers doing 30 somethings coats ..." Yep, that'd be me!

@Kliest3 8 ай бұрын

I remember watching a video where a Japanese craftsman polished mulberry with a green leaf. It came out looking like Tiger Eye stone. Can't remember the name of the video and couldn't find it in my history being so long ago when i was obsessed with wood joinery and puzzle boxes. We final polish chisels with leather, kinda wonder how well it would work on wood. Edit: I FOUND IT! 20:53 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gJp1gph9nKrDfoU.htmlsi=gNQmg1krxAZUELWO

@simonmonto 8 ай бұрын

Holy crap those guys are amazing. Thankyou for finding the video!

@haraldolsen5724 8 ай бұрын

Hi, maybe you can get someone to do a lesson/talk about the them, at the MWTCA Fall meet, next year?

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

That would be fun!

@karl_alan 8 ай бұрын

Just looked at Don's site, watched the videos. What he says is that this applicator is "called a polissoir...typically used to apply wax, this one is of a French design"...as in, rather than an English style or eastern style polissoir, this is a French style. He never says the finish is a French polish, or that a French polish is wax, just that this, specifically French-style polissoir is used to apply a wax finish. Although i was able to find several articles mentioning applying wax over a french polish for a multitude of reasons, every article i can find says french polish is a specific way of applying thinned shellac with or without pummace.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

This particular topic is a great way to start arguments. The general consensus is that the English method and the French method are both French polish. But if you talk to a lot of luthiers they will say that only the English method is a French polish and the French method is a wax polish. So it kind of comes down to who you ask as to how you name things. That's the fun of hand tool woodworking. It's been around so long and names have been passed back and forth across the pond that there really is no standard naming for much of anything.

@karl_alan 8 ай бұрын

@@WoodByWrightHowTo makes sense

@tom314 8 ай бұрын

Thank you, after recently failing at achieving a glass finish on a chess board I've been looking and failing to find useful information on this. If you're feeling like it I'd love to see how you'd achieve a glass like finish using shellac :)

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

that is time and effort. check out this video by by Tomy Hovington:kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mZ9yistppr-1l2w.html

@kenny-anjanettehorn7722 8 ай бұрын

Hey James, have there been Tuesday Night Live’s. Seems like I’m missing them coming up.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

No sir and I have been very busy and have not been able to get them in. We will probably have one this coming Tuesday but the Tuesday after that we will be gone again.

@kenny-anjanettehorn7722 8 ай бұрын

@@WoodByWrightHowTo ok, so I’ve not lost my mind……. Good to know. Looking forward to it and you guys enjoy your time!

@cuttwice3905 8 ай бұрын

Time to do pumice/brick-dust pore filling.

@twistedhillbilly6157 8 ай бұрын

Is there a battery model available? That do-hickey seems like it would be painful on your head..

@alecscimpean 8 ай бұрын

@WoodByWrightHowTo on the topic of polishing/smoothing/sanding is it possible to finish wood by rubbing another piece of wood on it? Or rather than if possible is such thing practiced?

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

burnishing is often something done when turning. it is common to take the shavings and burnish the peace when it is on the lathe.

@alecscimpean 8 ай бұрын

@@WoodByWrightHowTo I see! Thanks a bunch.

@durrwooddude 8 ай бұрын

Nice "Math Dad" shirt!

@simonmonto 8 ай бұрын

Is your WW paste wax edible or safe for chopping boards? How do I season a chopping board everyone?

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

It is what I use on my cutting boards. It has mineral spirits as a thinner. That evaporates as it cures so I consider it food safe, but everyone has a different place they draw the line.

@jordananderson9595 8 ай бұрын

My question is whether or not any polishing or finishing method is capable of giving Yellow Pine a "Desktop Quality" finish and protection. Obviously there's a limit, but i recently learned that it was quite common for pioneers in Utah to build their furniture out of Yellow Pine, and stain and finish the wood to resemble the grain of more expensive woods. Many of these tables are in museums today, and hold up quite well.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

finish and gloss yes. but durability to denting. no. the only answer to that is a thick coat of something like epoxy.

@jordananderson9595 8 ай бұрын

@@WoodByWrightHowTo would a Polyurethane work? Or would it need a full on Epoxy Pour? At what point would you say it'd just be cheaper to buy a hardwood instead of treating free, reclaimed Yellow Pine for a furniture project? That's my current debate.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

Poly will give you about the same as a shellac or Varnish. It is all just a light film finish. when working with pine and soft woods you just have to be ready for dents. there really is no way around it. if that is important to you then hard wood is the way to go.

@ianpearse4480 8 ай бұрын

Only until you use a capitol P, then it becomes something wonderfully different! LOL.

@rawr2u190 8 ай бұрын

Wow, this is different from what I thought French Polish was.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

@benteverts2839 8 ай бұрын

Hi, interesting method in the video. I didn't know this one yet. If you would like to have an insight into how shellac is described in the Dutch books and the methods used, I would like to email you pictures of these pages. Unfortunately, I couldn't find an email address off yours. The text in the photos translates pretty well with Google. Translate 😁 If you are interested in this please let me know! There is also a small piece about pumice powder, which was widely used with wood with coarse grain. Like oak

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

I would love to see it. You can find my email address in the about tab on the KZfaq page or the contact me for him on my website.

@robertweldon7909 8 ай бұрын

Well, I've never hears of this before. I can see rubbing hard wood with a devise like that. I wonder. would it polish soft wood? Over at "EpicUpCycling" he uses what is clearly some kind of wax FINISH that he applies with a paint brush and then rubs it in, or off. I'm not sure, is that "French Polishing too?

@jonathanaustin1360 8 ай бұрын

Comment down below.

@MichaelJones-ss6ts 8 ай бұрын

Great video. Comment down below.

@MemphisCorollaS 8 ай бұрын

Comment down below

@ruairiallen3354 8 ай бұрын

Down below

@christophermahon1851 8 ай бұрын

Based on the comments, I am not the only one who thought that French polish was based on shellac and a little oil. Mercy monster! You are truly a fromage and a croissant.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

A lot of people think of is French polish with shellac and oil is actually a technique formalized in england. Whereas the French were using a mostly wax finish. Though all of them together are generally considered to all be a type of French polish. You got to love names it makes things fun. When I start throwing around the pond.

@FURNITURERAYAT 8 ай бұрын

good, my brother💎💎💎👌👌🇮🇳🇮🇳

@aprildegele1510 8 ай бұрын

Your shirt! 😅🤣😂

@jnodidrickson3460 8 ай бұрын

Comment down below😅

@JackFright 8 ай бұрын

Wait, wait. Where is the boiled linseed oil? ;)

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

It is in the paste wax!

@JackFright 8 ай бұрын

@@WoodByWrightHowTo :D

@BlaisPianoGuitars 4 ай бұрын

Bizarre

@jclwash 8 ай бұрын

Love you videos! However, the square root of -4 = 2i not 2. It is as you are probably aware an imaginary number.

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

thus the shirt. LOL there is a reason it is one of my favorites.

@davewest6788 8 ай бұрын

Comment on the likes

@michaelgreethurst3785 8 ай бұрын

Wee Wee 😂

@ryanstieglitz8077 8 ай бұрын

Comment..... Down

@imortaldeadead 8 ай бұрын

Your waxed over comment

@jwydubak9673 8 ай бұрын

You need to decide. It's either French or Polish.

@davipip 8 ай бұрын

Breath in 1 2 3 4 breath out (repeat)

@lydiarol7892 8 ай бұрын

Omelette du fromage

@Trashed20659 8 ай бұрын

Or how 'bout this? If your mother is from Poland and your father is from France, then you are French Polish!

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

Oh I like that one!

@Exviscountson Ай бұрын

Wait so are you French or are you Polish?

@DestinyParker-zq5zu 8 ай бұрын

hellowow1

@ex-nerd 8 ай бұрын

It's worth mentioning that you should probably avoid denatured alcohol with shellac … those "denaturing" chemicals just aren't good for you to breathe or touch. 99.9% isopropyl alcohol works great and is also often cheaper (though you should still use gloves because it really dries out your skin).

@UPTHETOWN 8 ай бұрын

French Polishing has nothing to do with France

@WoodByWrightHowTo 8 ай бұрын

In the way most luthiers think about it or doing it with a heavy shellac finish that's correct. It came out of england. However the traditional French polish is from France and that was more just a wax finish on top. Andre rebo talked about it in his book in the 1700s.