Shopsmith Forums

I am refinishing a table that had some damage to the top. The color I have chosen is transtint dye brown mahogany with a top coat of transtint dye dark walnut over it. The finish is shellac that I am applying in the traditional French polish method using a pad. The pores are (mostly) filled using the pumice method.

I have French polished a few smaller surtaces in the past but it has been several years. And this is the biggest thing I've done. The experience of French polishing this piece has made me fall in love with that method all over again! Why? It requires no investment in specialized equipment. A little wool wadding (which you can get in the foot care section of most drug stores) and a square of cotton from an undershirt is all you need to apply this finish. The other materials are just denatured alcohol, shellac flakes, mineral oil and pumice.

It has no toxic fumes (and in fact I am working on it in place, in my family room). When I get in a rythm it is almost relaxing. It is the most beautiful finish in my opinion and the feel of it is wonderful to the touch. While a true expert could get an even smoother and more reflective surface straight off the pad than I can get, I'm satisfied with it as is.

This particular piece was made in the 1950s or 1960s by the Old Colony Furniture Co. of Nashua, NH, which my grandfather ran. I think he'd be happy.

Looks great!!! I also love Shellac and Trans Tint dyes. I have not done any French Polishing yet, just brush or wipe it on, 2lb cut.

If you are wiping on shellac you might as well try your hand at French polishing!

I will, and I have a teacher, a buddy of mine makes guitars and finishes them that way.

That looks wonderful algale. I was just reading about French Polishing, it seemed like it was a lot of work and time consuming, but you make it sound like something I want to try. Thanks for posting.

Beautiful piece of 60 year old furniture!

Thanks for showing us! Yes, in my limited experience with shellac there is nothing else quite as beautiful.

Chris

I don't believe I will ever enjoy doing finish work but I must say - You have done a fantastic job on the table. Excellent work.

Beautiful table top, Al!
I am confident your Grandfather would be happy. In fact, I think everyone who looks at it will love it.

On another slight note: The table itself is a very hansom piece.

Thanks, everyone, for the encouraging words!

I forgot to mention two other reasons I love French polishing shellac: (1) no sanding required and (2) it dries almost instantly.

This "top" board is actually one of two. The table is designed to be able to be used as a smallish dining table. The second board, which is the "show" surface when the table is closed, has a satinwood cross-banding. It lays on top of this board and the two boards are connected along the back edge via 3 barrel hinges. To get a larger surface for dining, one unfolds the upper board and then both boards slide forward until the boards are centered over the base.

I will post more photos when it is done.

I love the table. But you'd better not serve alcohol on that beauty!