French Polish

[pargent]

Does anyone know of a date that french polish started being aplied to furniture and gunstocks ?

 

[necchi]

Well make up your mind, it's either French or Polish, which one you talking about?

 

[pargent]

I know it became widespread in its us in the 18th century (1700s) , I was just after a closer usage date .

 

[gus13]

Well make up your mind, it's either French or Polish, which one you talking about?

:haha: :haha:

My understanding is the term is in reference to the technique, rather than any material actually used. but from what I can find its use was more Victorian era.

 

[Chris Hayes]

I believe he is referring to polish as in applied to wood, not Polish the people

 

[pargent]

Thanks I just found imformation that it started to become common in its use in England in the early 1700s and I was after a closer time frame . for those who want to know basicly F/P is the aplications of coats of shellac with each coat rubbed back before the next is applied (very simple explaination)

 

[blackdog of vt]

It's mixed with linseed oil before application. Shellac dries to fast itself to be applied by hand rubbing. I use about 50 50 mix.

 

[pargent]

:thumbsup: up to speed with what it is and how to do it just after a date , when in early 1700s?

 

[Nifeman]

It's mixed with linseed oil before application. Shellac dries to fast itself to be applied by hand rubbing. I use about 50 50 mix.

In an early 1900's funiture book that I have somewhere, it says that you saturate a piece of silk cloth with shellac and put a few drops of linseed oil on and then rub it into your wood. Continue doing this until you achieve the desired finish. Hope this helps...Bud

 

i always though it originated in the 1700's but apparently it is thought of as a victorian thing
done up till about 1940 or so...

then there is this
http://www.classicpianodoc.com/frenchpolishing.php

they claim it goes back some 2000 years with the chinese?

bob g

 

[Claude Mathis]

Another link: http://woodworking.about.com/od/finishing/p/FrenchPolishing.htm

French Polish is a finish commonly found on antique furniture. It is often mistakenly referred to as a substance to be applied to wood, but in actuality is a method of applying shellac to a woodworking project that produces a tough surface with a very glossy, mirror-like finish.

French Polishing dates back as far as the Victorian era, but was brushed aside early in the 20th century in favor of less labor-intensive methods of finishing. However, this "lost art" produces a luster that is next to impossible to duplicate with mass-production methods. French Polish finishes are also very easy to repair.

 

[Comrade Coffin]

Old gramophone records are a nice cheap source of shellac - if you can find cracked or broken ones.

 

[pargent]

I have a drum of shellac in my shed , I use it a lot, it has many doc. hcpc uses . The EIC and French were bringing it home from the Far East form the late 17th centry, my question was does any one know of a date when the process of French Polish started to be used in England on furniture and gunstocks. It is touted by many that this was a Victorian thing but that is way ,way off .

 

[GunnyGene]

Bob Flexner (Understanding Wood Finishing) dates it to Regency and Federal furniture, which would put it in the very late 1700's to the early 1800's.

It should be noted that most French polishing on open pored woods require a filler (usually pumice) applied with the first coat or 2 of shellac. This is especially true with hardwoods that were grown in the last 100 years or so, since they typically have much larger pores than what was available in early period. This is largely due to warmer climate since the middle 1800's - the Little Ice Age dramatically reduced growth rates resulting in much denser woods.

Btw, plain old olive oil works just dandy to lubricate the pad. If you plan on doing this, I'd recommend Bobs book and some significant practice before tackling the actual project. Technique is important.

There are also several grades of shellac, and most will add some color to the wood. The shellac you buy at the big box is not recommended for this purpose. I suggest you buy flakes at http://www.shellacfinishes.com/

 

[pargent]

I know that shellac had been in use by the British military since the late 16oos for applying finishes to all manner of things .The French developed the technique we call frenchpolishing early 1700s . Now because England and France were nearly always at war it must have become a popular finish through trade with other countries such as The German states etc.It is the DATE that I would like to known of , there are guns and furniture with this finish on them that pre date 1750 .??

 

[GunnyGene]

I know that shellac had been in use by the British military since the late 16oos for applying finishes to all manner of things .The French developed the technique we call frenchpolishing early 1700s . Now because England and France were nearly always at war it must have become a popular finish through trade with other countries such as The German states etc.It is the DATE that I would like to known of , there are guns and furniture with this finish on them that pre date 1750 .??

Given that shellac has been in use for at least 3000 years, it might be impossible to nail down a specific year for first use in French Polishing. There's some limited info on Wikipedia about both. Around 1550 seems to be the earliest in Europe, but could go back even farther in India and Thailand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shellac
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_polish

 

[pargent]

Thanks

 

[GunnyGene]

No problem. Most things like this (including joinery, etc.) are next to impossible to nail down the first use, since they were often invented by some unknown craftsman, or the Freemasons or other guilds, who kept the techniques a secret (job security) - often for generations or even centuries. Good luck with your project.

 

[pargent]