French polishing in Perthshire
Traditional shellac French polishing and modern finishes for dining tables, cabinets, chairs and antiques. From my workshop in Bankfoot, near Perth.
What French polishing actually is
Shellac is dissolved in spirit and rubbed on with a pad of wadding wrapped in cotton, called a rubber. Coat after coat goes on, each one thin enough to dry in moments.
It is built up slowly over days, not brushed on in an afternoon. That is where the depth comes from: you look into the finish, not at it.
Much Victorian furniture was finished this way, so on a piece like that it is usually the right finish to put back.
Traditional or modern finish?
I do both. Which one suits depends on the piece and on how you live with it.
| Question | Traditional French polish | Modern finish |
|---|---|---|
| Looks like | Deep, warm and glowing, with the grain showing through | Ranges from satin to gloss, depending on the finish |
| Best for | Antiques and period pieces, where originality matters | Furniture that gets heavy daily use |
| Watch out for | Heat, water and spirits can mark it, so use mats | Not right for most antiques |
| If it gets marked | Can be repaired locally and blended in | Depends on the finish; send a photo |
Freshly polished
A white ring from a hot mug?
That’s the classic French polish mark, and it is usually in the finish rather than the wood. Dark rings are a different story: water has got through and into the timber.
Either way, don’t sand it. Send a photo in good daylight, and I’ll tell you what’s going on.
Want the shine back on a bonny old table?
Text a photo of the top in daylight, plus one close-up of any marks.