rodpacheco -> RE: French Polishing (Mar. 15 2012 19:28:17)
|
FP, oh what a topic! At first I started using Nitro, and after a while, I really liked the result, when done properly in thin layers, looks and sounds beautiful. Downside, fumes and lots of dust. On the bright side, a resistant great looking finish and great sound. I even finished a couple with Poly, I sprayed too thick and the volume might have suffered a little, less resonance for sure done too thick. Although in my last tonewood shopping trip to Paracho, talked to a finisher that uses ONLY Poly, and I kind of understood better that it can be made very thin and just like Nitro. More recently started practicing on scrap with Shellac FP, and absolutely loved what I found out in my first experience. I have just received some beautiful Shellac from Napa Valley, shellac.net is the website. Eye Candy ! I already had some amber from Lmii that a found @ la Ciudadela here in Mexico City, and ordered other tones from shellac.net. I received some Pumice Powder(Behlen 4F), SuperBlonde, Garnet and some Black Shellac I had to try. Some sunburst in mind for my own Guitar. They even threw in a free sample of "Thai Seed" the says it gives a rich red toned FP. I can't wait to begin FP! I believed FP'ing was very hard, but after some practice on scrap (Rosewood and Palo Escrito) and after reading FP Posts, specially from ForoFlamenco such as this, Culpepper's, Faulk's and GimarYestras' in mind too, have decided to give it a go. I am sure it could well be my finish of choice. I am yet to FP a batch of guitars, but I think the "organic feel" of FP'ng your own instruments is something to be very pleasurable, one can take it easy and is not pushed away from the guitar from some of the fumes of NitroLacquer. I still find it incredible how this old natural finishes are so beautiful, the texture, the whole process starting with the trees and the Lac bugs, the chemical processes, the man exploiting that resource, and the applications it has. There are no Guitar French Polishers here in Mexico City, and to have finished they would have to go to Paracho first, so I have decided to Finish'em myself, hopefully they will turn as nice as the ones I've seen around. Rodrigo
|
|
|
|