Overview of the whole process of French Polishing

Do's and don'ts

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Do's

• Use fresh polish
• Leave time for the polish to dry, harden and shrink back
• Seal the top first, before proceeding to the other timbers
• Use good quality cloth
• Keep the pad in an airtight container
• Keep the shellac in glass or plasitic container, not metal.
• Be patient, the whole process takes about a month to do well.
• Always make your own polish

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Don'ts

• Use oil, but if you really must, be vary sparing and clear well often and at the end of the session
• Use the pad that you used on the back and sides on the top if the pad is stained
• Use old polish, it does not dry properly
• Use pre purchased polish, it is generally not as good as the freshly made
• Put the freshly polished guitar down on the back or top, hang it up, soft polish marks easily
• Use dark coloured shellac to seal a spruce top

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This introduction to the art of french polish should get you started on the path to applying the ultimate finish on your guitar. If you have any other questions regarding these methods or proceedures, please contact me, I will be happy to help if I can.