Knowledge center · Workshop techniques · French polish
Technique
French polish
An old finishing technique that uses shellac dissolved in alcohol, laid on in many very thin coats with a cloth pad, to build the deep, “wet” gloss associated with antique furniture.
French polish is not a modern lacquer. It is a way of finishing with shellac — a natural resin from the insect Kerria lacca — dissolved in alcohol. It is applied with a fad, a pad of cloth wrapped in a smooth cover, charged with the shellac and a little lubricating oil (paraffin oil, for example) so the pad does not stick. The coats go on in circles or figure-eights, extremely thin, and they build up into dozens of layers that give a depth no single film has. The weaknesses: it is sensitive to water, alcohol, and heat, any of which can mark the finish and call for a local repair. That is why many antiques need a touch-up, not a full refinish.
Related
French polish
A traditional finish of natural resin, laid on in dozens of thin coats with a cloth pad. It gives a depth and glow that modern lacquers do not — and it is the right finish for most antiques.
Patina
The layer of wear and sheen that wood gathers over the years. To collectors it is an asset, not a flaw: original patina raises value, and removing it can damage that value badly.
Cleaning an antique finish properly
Do not use household cleaners or commercial furniture spray — silicone and solvents damage shellac and an original finish. Dust with a dry microfiber cloth, and only occasionally with a cloth that is barely damp. To refresh the sheen: a thin coat of natural wax (beeswax or carnauba) once or twice a year, in gentle circles.
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