French polishing is a finishing technique known from the ancient times, 100% natural, where shellac is applied /padded over a surface with a pad/rubber going over the same area even hundreds of times, building slowly a film that is perfectly transparent and at the same time closing the grain of the wood more and more towards a mirror like finish. 
It is used in finishing many different types of high quality items. The process is used for finishing musical instruments, high end wood furniture, and accents.
      Shellac is a natural resin coming from the shell of a bug in Indonesia that gets collected and refined. The shellac flakes are melted in alcohol which makes the carrier of the shellac and help the film dry right away, allowing multiple passes over the same area.
         Applying that many layers of shellac creates a finish that is truly remarkable. It creates a glass like smooth surface that is very glossy, plus it brings out the rich grains of the wood. This offers a depth of beauty that no other finish can match.
          French polish finish has been around since the 1600s but due to the labor intensive process, it is not used as widely anymore.
           Now that you have the history and know more about French polishing we can talk more about the steps that it takes to restore furniture with this type of finish.
           French polish restoration is a trade skill that has been around for many centuries. This process has been developed to help preserve wood furniture that was created before we were born and often passed down through generations. French polish advantages and disadvantages are topics that we always address when meeting with a client about restoring their furniture piece.
           When completing a restoration project the steps are the same as the one done to create the furniture finish the first time. Our team is dedicated to restoring and bringing back the process to be able to bring the joy back to century old furniture pieces that are not being used because they have been damaged. The process that we use includes Rustin’s French polish and fine woodworking French polish tools of the trade. When restoring any piece of furniture with French polish, the method we use looks identical to the method used many centuries ago. We are committed to that process and making sure that we can keep the traditions going for many years going forward.
          The finish that French Polishing creates is one that is truly remarkable. The layers upon layers create a finish that brings out the beauty in any type of fine hardwood. Just like with any type of finish that you have on fine furniture there are advantages and disadvantages. We like to share the knowledge and understanding with our clients to ensure that they know the process that it takes to bring these pieces back to life. Understanding this also gives knowledge on the process of the restoration and the time that it will take to complete.
         Completing a French polish restoration project takes many days. The process is a carefully planned and executed method that takes time, care, and precision. On the plus side, a French polish is one of the most durable finishes that have been created. The multiple layers of shellac create a durable and flexible finish that is resistant to scratches and most wear. During the process, the layers create a beautiful finish that requires very little care after. Unlike many other surfaces of century older furniture, it actually does not require polishing once the steps had been completed. During the process, the finish is created with the material, shellac. Shellac dries very quickly and also is nontoxic. It will not yellow over time and once the restoration has been completed it is actually pretty easy to repair again.
         Another advantage of this type of finish is the amber to orange color that it leaves behind. It works very well to color and protects light colored woods that would normally be stained.
         The advantages of French polish are amazing. It creates a wonderful finish that will shine for many centuries.