Easy alternative to French Polish

French Polish -- materials -- tools -- methods
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John Link
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Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Easy alternative to French Polish

Post by John Link » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:33 pm

This appears to take less time than traditional French Polish with a very glossy result.

John

John Parchem
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Re: Easy alternative to French Polish

Post by John Parchem » Sun Sep 28, 2014 9:15 pm

He just moved a lot faster than I do when I FP :) Brushing on and leveling a wash coat could be applicable to either method. I pad on about three wet coats before I start to FP. I can FP a classical guitar in a weekend. To me I would trade a few sessions French polishing the instrument than two different sessions of sanding. I think one would need a nice touch with the first leveling session he does with 120 grit sand paper. It would cut through the shellac quickly.
I read of people spending weeks FP but I find the processes fast and relaxing. When finished I do not need to touch the finish with sand paper. I do buff, but the instrument really looks good with out it.

John Link
Posts: 800
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:01 pm
Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Re: Easy alternative to French Polish

Post by John Link » Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:20 pm

Yes, 9 minutes is unusually quick. There is a text file of "tips" on his web site, for anyone interested in more details.

Myself, I thought the process resulted in a heavy finish when I saw the video and the text tended to confirm it. But it is very similar to the process of applying lacquer then leveling, sanding, and polishing it, without the need for spray equipment or serious lung protection.
John

John Parchem
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Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 8:33 pm
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Re: Easy alternative to French Polish

Post by John Parchem » Sun Sep 28, 2014 11:51 pm

Actually it looked like a pretty good method. The padding he did after his level coats would have left a pretty even finish to finish sand. But he has a nice touch with the brush, the sanding and the pad.

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