Shellac For French Polishing - French Polishing Fundamentals Part 4

Types of shellac for French Polishing. A deep dive into the different types of shellac, colors of shellac, and recommendations for beginners. French Polishing Fundamentals Part 4 - Shellac.
Links from the video:
👉The Art Of French Polishing Video Course: theartoflutherie.com/french-p...
👉Download the Free Shellac Handbook Here: theartoflutherie.com/shellac-...
👉Introduction to French Polishing (Article): theartoflutherie.com/french-p...
👉Why I switched To French Polishing (Article): theartoflutherie.com/why-i-sw...
👉Learn more about the Luthier's EDGE online guitar-making school here: theartoflutherie.com/luthier-...
👉My Most Recommended Luthier Tools: theartoflutherie.com/luthier-...
French Polishing Fundamentals Video Series:
👉Part 1 Introduction and Why I switched To Shellac: • French Polishing Funda...
👉Part 2 Wood Preparation: • Wood Preparation For F...
👉Part 3 Best Alcohol For Making Shellac: • Best Alcohol For Makin...
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[@e.h.5849]

some time ago when I had been working on a project, I coated my vintage flamenco blanca guitar in bright orange shellac dissolved in ethanol. I was very impressed and for some time I was varnishing everything with shellac, haha. amazing material, especially when it comes to antique furniture or musical instruments, fossils or minerals.. This flamenco guitar was a rather extensive project, dozens of cracks, making new bridge and fingerboard from scratch, refretting, removing preamp and wires from the soundboard and from undernath the saddle, making new saddle and nut from ebony - btw that was a surprise was happy how it turned out.

[@davec3689]

I also bought shellac flakes that would not completely dissolve. I thought I was doing something wrong. I was relieved to hear and expert like you had the same problem. Thanks for the educational content.

[@nitrostrikeblade3395]

Great video thanks!

[@luckysevenairammo1217]

My favorite color I have found is called Lemon #1 It's a dewaxed flake shallac A guy on ebay from Ohio has a ton of it for like $5 a oz. It's nice and clean and completely dissolves whole flake size in about 24hrs. I run it through a coffee filter and it's ready to go. It's amazing the vast amounts of different colors available.

[@chuckcampbell176]

Hi Tom - I’ve had good results from Lee Valley’s shellac supply. 😎

[@TheArtOfLutherie]

I never tried them; thanks so much for sharing, Chuck! I'll have to place an order.

[@johnmedlen3124]

do you offer a course on the french polishing by itself ?

[@TheArtOfLutherie]

Hi John, All of my courses (along with personal support from me and much more) are included with a membership to the Luthier's EDGE. The membership price is less than the cost I originally charged for just one single course back in 2015, so getting all 17 courses for even less, plus all of the other membership benefits, is a much better value and a better way for me to help people. I learned from helping thousands of people that personal support and mentorship are vital in helping someone get the best results in their work using the techniques and skills taught in a course or tutorial. Yes, the course is important, but the support that I am able to provide with the Luthier's EDGE membership has been a secret ingredient for helping people take what they learned, make it their own, and skillfully and confidently apply it in their work. You can learn more about what is included here: theartoflutherie.com/luthier-school/?

[@guitarmanjoe9450]

What about caned shallac how does that stuff work. Is it as good as raw shallac. Also could you change the color of the shallac by using pigments.

[@JFKreations]

I have the same question. Did you get an answer to this?

[@TheArtOfLutherie]

I don't recommend using any canned shellac. I mix it myself because then I know for sure what is in it, and I won't have to worry about any surprises if someone tries to make it "new and improved." Know what I mean? That doesn't mean that you can't use the canned stuff; just be sure you do some thorough testing on scrap wood first to make sure it is working in the way you need it to.

[@JFKreations]

@@TheArtOfLutherie Thanks Tom, that’s a big help. I do a lot of woodworking, but I have yet to make a guitar. Maybe someday. I really enjoy your videos, and use some of your tips in my shop. Nothing I do is quite as elegant and refined as what you make, but I’m always interested in new techniques, especially different types of finishes. I might experiment with shellac, just not sure I’m ready to take that step of mixing up my own concoction. Hope to see a lot more videos from you soon.