Step1
Pick up a French polishing kit at your local hardware store. These kits contain premixed shellac and a bottle of burnishing liquid. If you cannot find a kit, see "How To Apply a Traditional French Polish" under Related eHows.
Step2
Lay down a layer of newspapers over your work area.
Step3
Make sure there is no dust floating around the room. Dust will show up in the finish and ruin the shine.
Step4
Clean the wood to be treated with a steel wool pad dipped in about a cup of mineral spirits mixed with 2 tsp. linseed oil.
Step5
Use a clean rag to dry the wood.
Step6
Put the shellac in a shallow bowl.
Step7
Dip a paintbrush into the shellac and apply a single coat over the entire workpiece. Don't cover the same area more than once.
Step8
Cover the bowl of shellac with plastic to keep it from drying.
Step9
Wait 30 minutes and then apply another coat with the paintbrush.
Step10
Wait an hour and then sand the entire surface lightly with silicone carbide paper.
Step11
Make a polish applicator by soaking a 1-square-foot of white cotton fabric (an old T-shirt is ideal) with denatured alcohol.
Step12
Wring out the rag, fill the inside with a little bit of cotton wool, pour a few tablespoons of shellac on the wool and bring the four corners together.
Step13
Twist the rag to wring out the excess shellac and create a smooth spot on the balled-up end.
Step14
Polish the workpiece by making circles and figure eights. Don't stop moving the applicator, or you'll leave a mark - whisk it on and off the surface at a sharp angle. Make the last swipe straight along the direction of the grain.
Step15
Go over the wood about 10 times, and then add a little bit more shellac to the cotton wool inside the applicator. You will feel the applicator drying out as you work.
Step16
Repeat these steps until you have put on three coats of polishing shellac. Let the work sit in a dust-free environment for 12 hours.
Step17
Pour a little bit of burnishing liquid on a clean cotton rag.
Step18
Rub hard along the wood's grain. When the cloth becomes stained, set it aside and buff out the section you just worked on.
Step19
Start with a clean section of rag and repeat until the entire piece is glowing.
Comments
nokas said
on 6/23/2008 how can i achieve a black black french polish?? like those of oriental furniture?? that is...how can i make a finish like those ( looking like a mirror)