French Polish

French polishing is usually performed by skilled furniture repairers and restorers to produce a deep warm finish that has a glass or mirror like finish. Applied directly over other wood stains, dyes and sealers, French Polish is used to obtain additional depth and shine to furniture.

The traditional French polishing method is to apply it with what is known as a 'rubber'. Although the term 'rubber' is used, the polishing applicator is actually made from a cotton material which is put over cotton wadding (cotton wool), this absorbs and holds the French polish acting as a paint brush so to speak.

The 'rubber' is a great tool for controlling the distribution of French Polish on furniture and flooring as it can be squeezed or relaxed in the hand to release or pick up more polish on the surface being worked.

A skilled French polisher can apply scores of coats in a short space of time as each fresh thin coat of polish dries almost immediately, which allows further coats of French polish to be applied to furniture in quick succession.

With multiple layers, French Polish can produce a finish that has real depth and shine similar to that of a piano finish. The method of French polishing has been used for centuries on fine antiques which gives them a deep, lasting patina.