Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

French polishing
French polishing describes the skilled application
of successive thin coats of shellac to a
surface using wadding wrapped in lint-free
cotton, known as a polishing rubber or fad. The
resulting surface is very glossy, reflective and
level. French polishing is thought to have been
introduced to English furniture in the early
nineteenth century. A finishing manual,
published in the United States in 1827, notes
that ‘Friction varnishing, or French polishing ...
is of comparatively modern date’ (Mussey,
1987). Prior to the development of French
polishing, spirit soluble resin varnishes were
applied using a brush. The inevitable unevenness
that resulted was smoothed out with a
variety of abrasive materials. Time and practice
are required to develop the techniques and skill
necessary for French polishing. French polishing
is particularly suited to polishing large flat
areas. Mouldings and the corners of framed
panels were particularly difficult areas to French
polish evenly. Once mastered, however, the
application of very thin surface coats from a
polishing rubber can be used in repairing or
recreating a resinous surface finish. The
techniques used to create a French polished
surface may also be used for the application of
thin coats of shellac when retouching a repair.
In the past, furniture restorers have applied
full gloss French polish finishes somewhat
indiscriminately. Care should be taken that
resinous finishes applied to furniture are
consistent with what is currently understood
about historical materials and finishing
practice. Hayward (1988), Flexner (1994) and
Frank (1986) describe the materials and
techniques used in French polishing and may
provide a useful adjunct to the information set
out below.
French polishing involves six basic steps:
making the rubber, colouring the surface if
necessary, filling the grain, building up the
finish (also known as bodying up), levelling
the surface (also known as pulling over) and
finally surface treatments such as dulling
down. Spiriting out is a step that is only
required if oil has been added during polishing.
The need for a dust-free workspace for
French polishing cannot be overemphasized.
As successive coats of shellac are applied the
surface may remain soft and sticky for an
extended period. Any fibres, dirt or dust that
Conserving transparent coatings on wood 633
(a)
(b)
(c) (d) (e)
Figure 13.12 Folding wadding for a French polishing
rubber or fad. The square of cloth (a) is folded in half
(b), then into thirds (c). Two corners are folded down
to make a triangle (d). Finally, two corners are folded
towards the centre to make the wadding pear-shaped
(e)
fall onto the surface will cause blemishes that
disrupt an otherwise even and glossy surface.
A French polishing rubber or pad consists
of fine lint-free cotton wrapped around the
wadding that serves as a reservoir for the
shellac solution. The wadding is an absorbent
and springy material, such as cotton wadding,
old linen or wool. A 28 cm (10 inch) square
is folded as shown in Figure 13.12. The
wadding should be slightly pear-shaped,