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French Polishing the Spanish Way
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Author:  Jeff Highland [ Mon May 17, 2010 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  French Polishing the Spanish Way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUm-qubx ... re=channel

Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Mon May 17, 2010 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

Thanks for the links, guys!

I think the traditional Spanish method is for the luthier to send the guitar to somebody else for polishing!
Sounds like a great idea- too bad I can't afford to do the same!
[uncle] [uncle]

Cheers
John

Author:  Jeff Highland [ Mon May 17, 2010 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

I just could not believe how he just pours the shellac onto a big pad and goes for it.
He has an "interesting" approch to tap tuning on his other flamenco building video.

Author:  Jim Kirby [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

So much for a reasonably dry muneca! wow7-eyes beehive

Author:  Tim L [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

Just spent a couple of days last week watching Ed Claxton french polish a classical. His process was...a little different, to say the least. I guess there is more than one theory out there. The method in the video looks a lot faster but I think I like Eds' method better.
Tim

Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue May 18, 2010 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

There are, apparently, many versions of the application of shellac that may or may not be called French polishing. Not sure if a purist would call his process French polishing, or hand rubbing shellac. Could be either. You can brush it on and spray it on too. Is that French polishing? I guess the point is, do what ever works for you. I believe our Guru on FP process might feel that his process was a bit short of a full FP process. His mix looked pretty "thick" compared to what I use, and he certainly wasn't counting drops. That said, I have watched David La Plante do his version of French polishing, and it is very effective. It might not pass the "process" police inspection, but the result is spectacular. So, as the Padma says; "What ever gets the pig clean!"

Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Tue May 18, 2010 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

"To be a French polish application; One need to be melting the previously appied shellac and working in the newly applied shellac into the previously applied in a circular or figure eight motion to create a singular amalgamated film. Anything that does not do this; can not truly be called a French polish application. For this is the essens of the process."

I am at work and can not view the U-tube video at pressent so I am not sure if the the so called Spanish method meets the test. Please be sure to note that I am not saying that brushed raged, padded or sprayed shellac finishes make for poor finishs. They all make good finishes, I am only saying "French polished" implies a specific application method of building the film thickness and glazing application to polish (burnish) the film to a desired sheen.

regards
A French Polish Traditionalist

Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Tue May 18, 2010 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

Michael Dale Payne wrote:
"To be a French polish application; One need to be melting the previously applied shellac and working in the newly applied shellac into the previously applied in a circular or figure eight motion to create a singular amalgamated film. Anything that does not do this; can not truly be called a French polish application. For this is the essence of the process."


So folks that apply shellac with straight line 'strokes' are not 'French Polishing' ?
It does sound a bit dogmatic, but one must draw the 'line in the sand' somewhere........

The so-called 'Spanish method' was referred to in jest, I think...the luthier in the video was using a small electric buffer to work on shellac that was applied by pouring into an open rag held in the hand.
I think we can all agree: that method is non-traditional!!

Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Tue May 18, 2010 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

OK I saw the video; I saw one and only one session applied very wet in combination of long straight strokes and big circular strokes then spirited off with alcohol. If all of the boding sessions are repeated the same way; while I feel this is lacking in effective coverage and amalgamation I guess I feel that this can be considered French polish because this process of adding shellac would remelt the previously applied shellac to some lessor degree than traditional process does and the circular motion would amalgamate the new shellac, though to a lessor degree than traditional process does into the previously applied shellac. Therefor it meets the definition of French polishing body build up. That said there was nothing shown in terms of glazing the film to achieve sheen.

This to me is a hybrid of ragging and French polishing and likely to produce a reasonable good finish. That said it is a short cut hybrid French polish at best. But wounder why they don't call it Spanish polish as it is not traditional French polishing laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe

Author:  Zach Ehley [ Tue May 18, 2010 6:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: French Polishing the Spanish Way

Maybe this guy was originally from France. :lol:

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