How to Make French Polish Varnish / Touch Up Varnish For a Fine Violin

[@alexduran5704]

Can't tell you how happy I am you're posting again. This luthier wanna be it's excited to even watch do these things done.

[@DoghouseFunkBlaster65]

Wow! Thank you for teaching us "how to fish". A wonderful and virtuous gift of knowledge, craftsmanship and care.

[@pauljohnson6233]

Wow...this post is such a wonderful find. Thank you

[@r3nazcor]

Thank you SO MUCH Kevin! This is the BEST video on violin varnishes ever! Really appreciate your hard work.

[@BrianNC81]

Excellent content Kevin! Thank you for your service to the 🎻 community.

[@kevinleeluthier]

Thank you so much. I just hope my musician and luthier friends don't get too upset with me this week, (and maybe they will even get a laugh at some of them). My "other" friends have been begging me to put up some videos from my "other side," and I have decided to do so. They will be in the playlist, "The Book of Honor."

[@kevinleeluthier]

It really is my pleasure. The challenge is balancing all the time it takes with my violin making. :)

[@yanalarslan5344]

Thank you, Maestro. Is this recipe suitable for varnish or polish? Just thank you for your efforts

[@kevinleeluthier]

This recipe is the starting point for most "spirit varnishes". Yet, there is so much more to varnishing violins. Someday, I hope to get to everything....

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

"Find someone with a baby"!! Ahaha, love you and your work Mr Lee!

[@theoldbigmoose]

Kevin thank you for sharing this very, very hard to find recipe, this will help so many of us just beginning!

[@goldslinger]

I sure appreciate All that You do. Making quality videos is very labor intensive

[@kevinleeluthier]

You can say that again! I had no idea how much time, and cost, these videos would take when I started making them. Thank you so much for appreciating it.

[@garybrady9531]

that's is a stunningly beautiful instrument

[@shkedov.b]

You are an estate to our generation! thank you Kevin!

[@michelnagumaqmorton]

I love the must be crazy part , Je t aime !

[@JohnMiller-em7vs]

It's obvious you have put a lot of effort to produce this video. I appreciate you doing this, for it's really good video. Thanks!

[@PaperGrape]

What generosity... Thank you!!

[@OlJarhead]

What a transformation! Excellent instructional video!

[@husseinhani]

OMG this just a perfect video ! Thanks for this infos !

[@kevinleeluthier]

Thank you!

[@SCE2323]

Thank you very much! It is very interesting and what beautiful colors for an instrument can does! 💖🎻👌🏻

[@kevinleeluthier]

Beautiful colors, is truly the "icing on the cake" for a fine violin.

[@eduardoHMYT]

Very descriptive, thanks for sharing!

[@chipcurry]

Fantastic!

[@AlexanderWinkler]

Thanks, great recipes.

[@rongilotti5912]

Well done and informative thanku ron g

[@vance7274]

Wonderful video! No violin maker snobbery here! A very talented maker / restorer sharing intimate knowledge with kitchen table violin makers like myself. Thank you, Sir! All of Kevin's videos are wonderful and informative. Another recipe to consider: Pigment = crushed walnut husks harvested from your backyard... Varnish body = sap harvested from the 40-year-old wild black cherry tree in your backyard and some crumbled bow rosin found in an old Czech violin case, combined with five shots of Benriach Single Malt Scotch... Bring it to a low & slow boil x 4-5 minutes and strain through an old t-shirt into a baby food jar... Looks great on any fiddle made in Markneukirchen, Mittenwald, or Beubenreuth between 1890 and 1939.

[@miguelalt4236]

Great video, thank you.

[@markadams3494]

Sir, As a complete ignoramus into the intricate world of violin creation, the first question that comes to mind is this; does the build up of rosin detract from the performance of the instrument, or is it a matter of regenerating the beauty of the materials so wonderfully joined? I have enjoyed greatly your videos.

[@kevinleeluthier]

Other than getting the impression that some violins seem to smile and "feel" better when the rosin is removed. :), most violinists can't tell any difference. When I first visited with Paganini's Cannon (Joseph Guarnerius) it was as he left it = heavily caked with rosin . Years later, it was all cleaned off, and to me the instrument looks much better. = To each his own.

[@andrzejtruchan5236]

Hi can you explain mee how made zinc rosinate ground color

[@mellissadalby1402]

When mixing the varnish the next morning, is it better to stir it or close the jar cap and shake it until fully mixed? I very much appreciate this video in particular. I have been very curious about what goes into a good varnish recipe and also how to do a proper French polish.

[@kyproset]

Thank you, a thorough explanation, how do you test for colour matching on the actual instrument.

[@kevinleeluthier]

I will have to make a video to cover color-matching thoroughly, yet the basics are: Test on a back edge where the upper varnish is worn off, but it is not bare wood (usually golden brown or amber color). If your color doesn't not match, you can put a single drop of alcohol on your folded cotton and wipe it back off = no harm, no foul. You can try again in another spot that has not been softened. For any bare wood, you will need to go a couple steps lighter on the color (especially the end grain on the first swipe), and make sure the touch up varnish in your cotton is on the thin side before testing out a small spot = you can always build up darker color on top of it, but you can't take dark color out of the wood very well. The rule for filling in scratches and nicks in the upper, highly colored varnish is the opposite: Carefully fill in scratches and nicks with a brush at first, and it is always better to error on the dark side, because when scratches and nicks are lighter than the varnish next to them, it makes any instrument look cheap. Please be careful. Don't start with an expensive instrument, and Good Luck!

[@kyproset]

@@kevinleeluthier Thank you for yet another excellent explanation, definitely I will not be trying this on my Vuillaume.

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

Very interesting video-Thank you!

[@rod.minhoto]

hello sir, thank you so much for this video. It looks always so rare to find some nice content of violin repairing that is not just the same speech... but I have a question, can this recipe used for varnish filler? some reparirings require so much layers of varnish that I've coudnt help the instrument like I was intended too.

[@catherinewhite2943]

Bowling ball golf with dynamite - well, I hope you keep a safe distance from your fine instruments while playing *that* game! That was an inspired list and a very amusing end to a very informative video. Thank you!

[@kevinleeluthier]

Believe it or not, the list is for real, because a Master Luthier must be able to relate to almost any customer. Not everyone is a concert violinist, and sometimes it's more important than the instrument itself. My violin shop and valley really are "something else" (a lot like The Luthier's Diary Series) and I just wanted to begin prepping viewers for my more outlandish side.

[@charliesmith7169]

Excellent video Kevin, very well presented. Please could you do a video on how to repair a deep scratch in violin varnish.

[@kevinleeluthier]

It's definitely on my list, and it shouldn't bee too long. I'm still incapacitated with some complications from my surgery but I'm almost there!

[@ionaiona2200]

Hi Kevin. there is humility in sharing great knowledge. Thankyou. can I ask more of what you know? Can Touch Up Varnish be made with Isopropyl alcohol instead of denatured alcohol? Thanks again for your insight...

[@kevinleeluthier]

In the comparisons that I have made (yet I only did a few, many years ago with two or three different brands of each) the denatured alcohol was always better, especially when it came to dissolving the shellac.

[@Adrian_AdamViolonDiGerma-tm3nq]

What colorant did you used in this video? And is that few dropsof another solvent before you mix the colorant with the Varnish?

[@kevinleeluthier]

Thank you so much for bringing this up. The direct link to the colors at Woodfinishing Enterprises is: woodfinishingenterprises.com/?s=spirit+woodfast I just updated the description below the video. The only solvent used for this varnish is alcohol. Thanks again!

[@johnhaughey5347]

Thank you Kevin for sharing your skills and experience. May i ask please, At 9.55 you mention straight alcohol, is this still denatured alcohol? Thank you

[@kevinleeluthier]

Yes. Still denatured alcohol. Thanks for watching!

[@andrzejtruchan5236]

Yelow Reed Golden resinate color how made

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

This is such a great video it makes me wish that my good violin needs touch up. Heck I bought a $70 violin just because I was curious, maybe I'll strip the finish and learn on that one. Lipstick on a pig.

[@kevinleeluthier]

$70 violins are usually good for practicing, but no matter how good you get, please don't strip a "medium" or "fine" violin. :)

[@ghlscitel6714]

Did you ever try using an amber-linseed oil mixture as violin varnish?

[@PaperGrape]

I'm guessing not for touch-up? But i am also curious if you varnish white violins, Master Lee.

[@jayfarber4251]

Help, I tried to use your recipe, it looked mostly dissolved so I set it aside to cool. When I returned , i have a separated mostly clear alcohol and a gloppy layer at the bottom. What did I do wrong?

[@mrgolftennisviolin]

I’m also curious, how does this recipe compare to the 1704 varnish? They’re similar no doubt, but I wondered if you have experience with both

[@mrgolftennisviolin]

Mr. Lee, first of all thank you for the EXCELLENT video. I followed your instructions to a T, and have been thrilled with the results. One question - I just cooked a batch of colophony oil varnish for my new violins; would these same pigments be suitable to mix into that varnish for a few layers to build up color? Many thanks 🙏

[@mrgolftennisviolin]

My thought was maybe I could dissolve the color into the turpentine I use to thin the colophony varnish for brushing.

[@gregorydocenko4019]

What type of alcohol? Isopropyl 70% or 90%? Can you use Vodka? Love the video. Very clear.

[@bluehoo0]

Thank you for sharing your recipe. Could this be used to varnish a new violin also. Obviously more varnish would have to be made but basically would a touch up varnish be suitable for a complete instrument. Thank you again for the videos I have just found your site and am finding it very informative for me as an amateur violin maker.

[@kevinleeluthier]

The short answer is Yes, and many violin makers have used variations of this spirit varnish recipe to finish their instruments. The closest variation usually goes under the name "1704" and their are many techniques for applying it.

[@bluehoo0]

kevinleeluthier Thank you do you use coloured varnish for painting the pictures on your violins.

[@NMranchhand]

The luthier in me is very excited to find you; the former firefighter, slightly nervous. French polish wins!

[@soumiksardar5521]

I have seen many luthiers using tube colors ?? Can you plz tell me what type of color is that ??

[@karzankarem3198]

❤❤❤

[@CoronaBass]

Thanks for these insightful videos, Kevin! Looks like the Startex type of Denatured alcohols aren't sold in CA anymore (illegal now). Do the denatured alcohols sold for fuel work the same? Also, if I end up using Everclear alcohol, would 120 proof work?

[@kevinleeluthier]

I have used Everclear, yet ended up using it when r 180 proof or above, or it wouldn't dissolve the shellac properly, and it left the varnish cloudy with a slight haze. Otherwise, Everclear is wonderful.

[@ahmadsalehzadeh880]

Can I mix a few drop of oil based paint with Shellac solution? I want to make Red-Brown. My shellac is light brown naturally, so I need a little red. Can I do this?

[@henrypagan6657]

Hi can i put oil varnish over Spirit varnish

[@gilbreathca]

Thank you so much for your instructional videos! Is this a varnish that could be used in other applications besides "touch-up"? Could it be used in traditional woodworking projects as well?

[@kevinleeluthier]

Yes. These ingredients have been used for hundreds of years for many applications, even in the church down the street from Stradivari's house in Cremona.

[@Adrian_AdamViolonDiGerma-tm3nq]

Does retouch Varnish is similar to a French Polish? Can i use this retouch Varnish as a French Polish over my whole violin plate? I mean just to rejuvenating my violin Varnish

[@kevinleeluthier]

I use this "touchup" varnish over entire instruments, though you will want to experiment and practice a bit, and possibly change the ratios a little for your particular French polishing technique. = experiment and play. :)

[@williamderosa8947]

This is wonderful video .... now only if the masters ( Strad , Guarneri , Amati ) had all this technical equipment 😂 all joking aside.... this guy knows what he is doing.

[@clairehoneycomb]

Thank you so much for the detailed instructions. I donated! Question- can one bypass the need for the colored powders by using a darker shellac? For instance, if I just need to make a touch-up varnish for one violin, can I just get a darker shellac and avoid the cost of the colored powders?

[@kevinleeluthier]

Sorry I missed your comment for so long> Unless the instrument is extremely light, even the darkest shellac usually doesn't have enough color. Yet, if it does match, there is no problem using the varnish with no added color, since that's what is used for the final "glossing over" when doing a full French polish.

[@alexduran5704]

I do appreciate all The trouble you go to show us, by the way are you in any way affiliated with Is the American violin making school In Southern Utah?

[@rmoretto_com]

Nice Thor hammer you got there! I’m sure needed to fix violins sometimes.😂

[@mkdijkstra4855]

can i useethylalchohol 99% instead of your alchohol?

[@aerojn1]

Hi Kevin, Thank you for all of your videos, they are super, and most helpful. Can I ask a question? How long will the varnish remain useable? (I thought of making twice the amount).

[@kevinleeluthier]

I have used this touchup varnish when it was over 2 years old with no problems.

[@aerojn1]

Thanks for the quick reply Kevin, all I have to do now is find clear spirits in Ireland, here the add a purple dye, it’s called methylated spirits!!

[@johnhaughey5347]

​@@aerojn1does methylated spirits work as the "alcohol" Kevin refers to?

[@serkanbertan1]

I love you :)

[@kazzenmann]

I´ve always wondered why there aren´t any blue, green or even multicolor violins. Do those colors simply not exist or would they alter the tone too much? Anyway, very informative and interesting video! Greetings from Germany!

[@wildorinj]

There are violin shaped objects in those colours but they are cheap children's instruments. Adding a coat of paint, which would be thicker and denser than the very thin coats of varnish normally used, would inhibit the vibration of the front of the fiddle, and therefore dampen the sound of the instrument.

[@michaelwhisman7623]

Why is Venetian turpentine so special?

[@kevinleeluthier]

It adds permanent elasticity to the varnish and helps the varnish to flow a little better. It's similar enough to elemi that some old recipes use the two ingredients interchangeably, yet I prefer both. Feel free to experiment for yourself by reducing either one for a harder varnish.

[@wildorinj]

@@kevinleeluthier Artists use what is called 'Pure Spirit of Turpentine' to thin their paint, it's nothing like Turpentine Substitute, it smells entirely different, this is the stuff to use in varnish and to dilute colour. Most painters use it and it's available at Art Materials shops.

[@michelnagumaqmorton]

Nice Morton salt , :n)

[@violinmaker4271]

You should mention that the denatured alcohol contains methanol which is very toxic while Everclear is nontoxic. I think the years it adds to your life make Everclear well worth the price.

[@robertbolding4182]

boiling fuel in a glass jar, what could go wrong?

[@larryquokka]

😁

[@BadChizzle]

🦉💫

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

#94_Oct2024_1stTestViolinOnHand_WattsNext_🎻⁉️🤔

[@glennlopez6772]

Perhaps "french polish" originated in India! The names of the materials have some how been deliberately misleading! In india, a tough finish (resin) was called " lac". Without high gloss! For high glosd a resin called "chandroos" was used. Imported from countries near India. Now difficult to find, because, only small family businesses stocked this item! Manual labour (skilled) For high gloss with "chandroo", the last few coats, rubs used only white dpirit!