|
Jim Frieson -> RE: French Polish problems never had before (May 28 2014 5:50:15)
|
Babies and Gentlemen
I am new here . Jim Frieson , a builder living in Hokkaido ex of Canada .
I used to ( french) polish for a living , restoring antiques off and on for two decades , now I just do my guitars , and usually only the tops .
But I have sure polished a lot of cipres blancas since the 70s ...and just about every wood you can name .
I offer the following observations
One : Prep . When preparing a back or top or side , after planing scraping or thickness sanding , lay it on a flat platen , never use a machine to sand , and use a block of hard flat wood to sand , sand thoroughly down to at least 220 with the grain . Wet with not soaking rag , and then resand if desired - I usually don't bother .The raised grain could have been there from the start , just not observed until polished up . I have seen this effect so very often in the finishing work of inexperienced builders ( hey no offense at all intended )
Two : Micromesh works well , but it will not flatten anything , it will just make hills and valleys more smooth . If Micromesh is preceded by 2000 or 2500 , well folded to ensure production of flatness and not just one thickness under the hand , then Micromesh takes out the 2000/2500 wet dry scratches admirably .
Three: Pumice will tend to level finish pretty fast , but never use pumice if there is shellac in the rubber/pad or you will see it after the finish has dried down .
Four : Pad on a bit more lac than you think is just right before leveling , because with shellac on bare wood , grain will always telescope to some degree . You can , however , get it flat .
Hope of use
Cheers Jim Frieson
|
|
|
|
