Official Luthiers Forum!

When French Polishing the top (or back) of this, my first guitar, I noticed that the quality of the finish was noticeably better on the part of the top (or back) that was farthest from my body at the time of application. I now turn the guitar, so I am always working on "the far side".
It appears that some body geometry as well as lighting may have something to do with it, as I prefer to work in natural light by a window.
Sliding the "Muneca" off the far side feels more natural than sliding it off into my gut.



Ray

Interesting observation, Ray. There are so many nuances with this process that only experience and repetition can lead to a mastery of FP. I found that doing 3 guitars in quick succession was a key in making progress. BTW...your results look great from the pic.

Have you learned to use both hands in bodying and spiriting yet? Doing so will help your arm and back from getting fatigue. One of my mentors told me that when he first started FP his right arm wasn't that sore since he was 13 years old!

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I tried using my left hand for bodying, but gave that up after getting the Muneca stuck.
It's hard enough for me to keep one hand moving non-stop.
I've just barely mastered the art of walking and chewing gum at the same time without tripping or biting my tongue.

Have a nice weekend,

Ray

Brain gas .... Maybe you are working better with one orientation of the run-out in the top?

_________________
Tom Krebs

Ray, I had the same observation, so I rotate the body and go across, not constantly, but pretty much.
Window is always the best light, with no inside light, except at night!

Seems the longer you do FP, the more "observations" you have. I'm going to start a body tomorrow.

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

Funny, I often rotate and mostly polish on the farther away part, because I keep the guitar in my lap when working.

_________________
Build log

And what is wrong with that???

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

Well, I did a little manual buffing on my newly FP'd guitar with some Meguiar's #7, and find that I still have some more work to do with the French Polish.
I should have known that it just couldn't be that easy.
I now know why some Luthiers charge as much as $3000.00 for French Polish on a custom built guitar.
Although I thought that I was near completion, I didn't get too disappointed when I found out the I'm still in the tunnel, and may not even see the light at the end.
After all, this is a fun, and satisfying learning experience, not a job.

When I told a friend about the French Polishing, and how time consuming and tedious it is, he remarked "Why don't you just get some quick spray on finish or something easier and more durable?

He just does not get it. If all I wanted was to get a guitar, I would have gone to Wal Mart and bought one.
Why dosen't a mountain climber just rent a helicopter to get to the top?
Why do a crossword puzzle when you can just look at the answers in the back of the book?
Why take on a big challenge, when you could be like everyone else and just sit there and watch others do it?

I'm sure that most of you share some of my feelings about challenges.

Have a nice weekend,

Ray