French polishing (politoeren)
The classic, warm shellac finish of antique furniture.
French polishing gives antique furniture its characteristic deep shine — built up by hand in many thin layers of shellac.
What it involves
French polishing is a traditional finishing technique in which shellac is applied to the wood with a pad in many thin layers. The result is a deep, warm and lively shine that lets the grain speak and the wood breathe. Unlike a modern lacquer coat, a French-polished finish is thin, elegant and easy to touch up later — exactly what an antique piece deserves.
How I work
- 1Preparing and levelling the wood surface.
- 2Filling the pores so the base becomes smooth.
- 3Applying shellac layer by layer with the pad.
- 4Polishing out to the characteristic deep shine.
Curious what's possible?
Send a photo of your furniture and I'll gladly think along, free of charge.
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