French Polish: First Attempts

The Achilles' Heel of Luthiery
glasalle1
Posts: 190
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:02 pm

French Polish: First Attempts

Post by glasalle1 »

Hi Folks,

Been working on my 2 guitars I have in process. On my Prairie State Jumbo, I have done a number of French Polish sessions, and think I am "getting there". Seems to be going well. Of course, the guitar has more mistakes than a Sarah Palin interview, but I am happy how things are progressing thus far. How many FP "sessions" do you guys do? Or do you just keep going until your arm falls off?

Top:
DSCN0244.JPG
Back:
DSCN0245.JPG
And the 2 necks (The other guitar is an L-00). These were done with True Oil, and waiting 1 more week to fully harden, the I will polish, etc:
DSCN0219.JPG
Thanks!

Glenn
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tippie53
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Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by tippie53 »

gettin shiney now
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
kencierp

Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by kencierp »

Looks pretty good can you post the process and materials that you are using?

Also -- it may be best to use the politcal humor somwhere else this is a guitar making forum.
glasalle1
Posts: 190
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:02 pm

Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by glasalle1 »

I am using a combination of Milburn and Robbie O'Brien methods. Materials are:
- Liberon Special Pale French Polish
- Cheese Cloth
- Linen
- Everclear
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I find Italian gives better lows, and Spanish accentuates the highs .... (Is that considered political? :-)
- Some pipettes
- 1200 Grit every 2 or 3 sessions

Thanks!

Glenn
kencierp

Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by kencierp »

Liberon Special Pale French Polish -- is this product available world wide? I never heard of it (which does not mean much)

Is the olive oil thing another joke -- I for one don't get it? And or understand it?
glasalle1
Posts: 190
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:02 pm

Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by glasalle1 »

No, Liberon is not made in US, but available at a number of places. I got it on ebay. It was highly recommended by folks on the OLF as a wax free french polish. Do a Google search, and I am sure you will find some info. I like it alot.

Glenn
kencierp

Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by kencierp »

I most likely will give it a try -- I have a nylon string hybrid in the works -- FP for the sound-board Nitro lacquer for the back, sides and neck. Seems that's what most of the classical makers are doing these days -- I'll go with the flow.
Ken Hundley
Posts: 608
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:34 am
Location: Wilmette, IL

Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by Ken Hundley »

Looks good so far Glenn. Keep us up to date!
Ken Hundley
Nocturnal Guitars
http://www.nocturnalguitars.com

So, my big brother was playing guitar and I figured I'd try it too.
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
darren
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Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:26 pm
Location: Williams Bay, Wi
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Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by darren »

I have nothing to add, except 'Welcome to the forum Glen', and the back looks pretty nice from here.

Nice camera work on John's videos, by the way. :)
Darren
glasalle1
Posts: 190
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:02 pm

Re: French Polish: First Attempts

Post by glasalle1 »

Thanks Guys!

Here is an updated shot from today - started the L-00 (The Prairie State Jumbo is hanging. You can also see a bass body my Son and I are working on, a tenor uke, and an OM body in the back.). What I found interesting is the red spruce top seems to take the initial coats of french polish a little better than the lutz top.
DSCN0248.JPG
Thanks!

Glenn
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