RE: French Polishing

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>Lutherie >>

Page: << < 1 2 [3]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: French Polishing (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Yes, you´re both right. The correct english term is witness lines.

_____________________________

Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 10 2012 7:33:55

jlneng

Posts: 118
Joined: Jun. 28 2009

RE: French Polishing (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Hello all,
I just finished French polishing a flamenco Blanca. It was my first attempt at French polish. Thanks for all of the ideas, and advice posted here. I used medium blonde shellac, 190 proof grain alcohol, and paraffin oil, and pumice. I did not have to use much oil either. When I was done padding, I used micro mesh with a 3 inch Random orbit sander, and the finish looks like glass. I was amazed how simple it was. I will never spray lacquer again unless requested. In the end, I think French polish is less work than a lacquer finish. I pore filled the binding before I started padding. Before I leveled with the micro mesh, I thought I had a mess but wet sanding using the paraffin oil and micro mesh pulled it all together .The old masters had it all figured out a long,long time ago... But modern abrasives sure help!

John

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 11 2012 3:47:04

Flamingrae

Posts: 220
Joined: May 19 2009

RE: French Polishing (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

This is a question to do with french polishing. I thought I'd keep it in this thread as it's got lots here for people to digest.
Problem about how to keep coloured FP from influencing the white/light colours of bindings and rosette. I've got a nice orange brew but trying to figure out the best way to apply, yet keep the contrast of whites and lighter inlays from becoming toned down.
I'm sure you have all seen pictures of this and thought how does that work. Dont get me wrong, I am working on a plan of attack - but - as they say - I may be some time........
BTW - some good threads cropping guys, keep em coming.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 4 2012 22:30:05

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: French Polishing (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

how to keep coloured FP from influencing the white/light colours of bindings and rosette.

Get a couple of fine sable water color brushes in the sizes and shapes you think you need and pre coat the bindings and rosettes with a few coats of super blonde shellac. The super blonde will separate the color as long as you don't linger too heavy on the areas you want to keep out of color.

How you transition from clear to color is your call.

_____________________________

https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 4 2012 23:00:58

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1676
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: French Polishing (in reply to Flamingrae)

I think such effects are best achieved with sprayed on lacquers and masking tape. You could use blonde shellac FP over that for luster.

_____________________________

Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 4 2012 23:01:00

Flamingrae

Posts: 220
Joined: May 19 2009

RE: French Polishing (in reply to estebanana)

ok, thats a start,
@ Steve...yeh, I'm thinking down that route. I figured you have to build up somehow round those parts - just how to do it without it looking sloppy. Maybe a case of a careful hand.
@Ethan...and yes, this one has gone through my head too but I'm thinking of a way to make things go without the need for masking. Ultimately you could be right on this though.
Could be a case of experiments to see how things go. Blond to start, mask?build up colour then a final blond? daaaah?
Thanks for the input though, much appreciated.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 6 2012 1:39:48

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: French Polishing (in reply to Flamingrae)

quote:

just how to do it without it looking sloppy. Maybe a case of a careful hand.

It's really easy, it's more about which brushes you choose. Unless you have wide, wide vibrato like palsy in your hands you should be able to make tight, tight lines.

Go to an art store and look at fine sable or synthetic sable brushes in the 5 to 12 dollar category. Get a few round point brushes in widths you think will work. Then just build up layers on the binding. If you go over tiny bit it won't matter.

Probably want a base of clear anyway over the whole guitar. I usually start brushing coats of clear blonde on the rosette while I'm binding the guitar. Then it has days to dry and be cut back down with fine paper later. That way you can fill a lot of those mirco seams between rosette lines and go faster when you are polishing the whole top.

_____________________________

https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 6 2012 2:11:07