What is French Polishing?
French polishing is a finishing technique that creates a high-quality and highly durable shine on several different materials. It’s an old-school method of finishing that has been used for centuries, and it’s still used in the fine furniture industry today. French polishing doesn’t just create a shine; it also gives the piece an extra durability boost. It’s a great way to add a touch of character to almost any piece of wood. You can also use a French polish finish on things like metal, stone, and even plastic. A French finish uses two main components: a finish coat, and a sealer coat. The finish coat is the shiny, top-coat portion of the process, and it’s applied after the sealer coat has dried. The sealer coat is a sanding sealer that creates a smooth surface for the finish coat to adhere to. It also helps to protect the wood from moisture once the finish has been applied. Together, these two coats create an ultra-high-shine finish that is both durable and beautiful.
What Materials are Needed?
While basic supplies are needed to complete a successful finish, some may be harder to find than others. If you aren’t able to source some of these materials locally, you may be able to order them online. Let’s look at the basic supplies needed to DIY French polishing:
- A wood sealer/finish - You’ll need a sealer that is suitable for the type of wood you’re planning to finish. Softer woods like pine, aspen, and basswood are best suited for an oil-based sealer. Harder woods like oak and mahogany are ideal for a water-based sealer.
- A non-sanding sealer - A non-sanding sealer is used to seal the surface of the wood and create a smooth finish so the finish coat can adhere properly. You can use either a water-based or an oil-based sealer.
- A finishing wax - A finishing wax is used to create a high-shine finish after the finish coat has dried. French polishing is always done with three layers: a sealer coat, a finish coat, and a finishing wax.
- A soft-bristle brush - A soft-bristle meeting is used to apply both the finish and wax, as well as clean your work area.
- A polishing compound - A polishing compound is used to finish the polish and create a high-shine finish on your piece. You can find a variety of polishing compounds online or at most hardware stores.
- An old cotton t-shirt - An old t-shirt is used to wipe off the excess polish as you work. - A clean work area - Make sure you have a clean and well-lit work area to avoid creating a mess in your home.
Preparing the Surface
Before you start the actual French polishing process, you’ll need to prepare the surface of the wood. This step helps to remove any impurities in the wood, like dirt and oils, that may prevent the polishing compound from adhering properly. Start by sanding the surface of the wood with medium-grit sandpaper, like 220 grit, until all of the impurities have been removed. Start with the sandpaper and finish with a clean cloth to remove any sawdust from the surface of the wood. Next, use a clean cloth to apply a light coat of the sealer to the wood, working in one direction. Let it dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step. Once the sealer coat has dried, you’ll want to sand the surface of the wood with the same 220-grit sandpaper. This step helps to create a smooth surface and removes any excess sealer that’s left on the wood. You’ll want to sand with the grain of the wood, using even pressure as you move back and forth. Wipe off the surface with a clean cloth to remove any sawdust and impurities from the wood.
Applying the French Polish
Once the sealer coat has dried, it’s time to move on to the finish coat. Start with a clean, soft-bristle brush. Dip the brush into the finish and brush it in a back-and-forth motion on the surface of the wood. This helps to create an even surface and helps the finish to dry more quickly. Brush the finish in a back-and-forth motion with the grain of the wood, being careful to avoid excess build-up. Let the finish dry for about 10 minutes before proceeding to the next step. You’ll want to sand the surface of the wood with the same 220 grit sandpaper. This helps to create a smooth finish surface and removes any excess finish that has dried on the wood. Wipe the surface with a clean cloth to remove any sawdust.
Finishing the French Polish
Now it’s time to apply the wax to the wood. Start with a clean, soft-bristle brush and dip it in the wax. Apply a small amount of wax to the surface of the wood, again working in a back-and-forth motion. Apply a coat of wax with the grain of the wood, being careful to avoid excess build-up. Let the wax dry for about 10 minutes before applying another coat. Repeat this process until the desired amount of wax has been applied to the wood. Once the wax has dried, use a clean cloth to buff the surface of the wood in the same direction you applied the wax. This helps to create a high-shine finish that brings the wood to its final state.
Troubleshooting
There can be some issues that may occur during the French polishing process. There are a few simple solutions to remedy them so you can finish the job with no problems. Let’s look at some common issues and how to deal with them.
- The wood is too wet - If the wood is too wet or you applied too much sealer, it may be difficult to apply the finish coat. If this happens, you can apply a light sanding sealer to absorb some of the excess moisture. - There are build-ups in the finish
- If you notice build-ups in the finish, you may be applying the finish coat too thickly. Try to apply the finish coat more thinly and in more of a back-and-forth motion.
- The finish coat isn’t drying - If the finish coat isn’t drying as quickly as it should, you may have applied the sealer too thickly. Try to apply the sealer more thinly and in a back-and-forth motion.
