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How Difficult is French Polishing?

Approx. 7 min read

French polishing is considered one of the most challenging and skill-intensive wood finishing techniques. While the materials themselves are simple — shellac, alcohol, oil, and a polishing pad — the difficulty lies in the precision, timing, and craftsmanship required to achieve a flawless, mirror-like finish. Even experienced furniture restorers take years to master it.

If you're wondering why French polishing is known as a specialist trade, here's everything you need to know.

1. It Requires a High Level of Skill and Control

French polishing is not a "brush-on, leave-to-dry" type of finish. It involves hundreds of careful hand movements performed in the right pattern and pressure.

What makes it difficult?

  • The polishing pad must glide smoothly without leaving streaks.
  • Pressure must be controlled at all times.
  • The shellac must be applied in ultra-thin, even layers.
  • Any hesitation or incorrect stroke becomes instantly visible.

This level of precision is why professionals typically spend years refining their technique.

2. It Involves Many Thin Layers — Not One Thick Coat

Unlike modern finishes (lacquer, polyurethane, varnish), French polishing is built up from dozens of ultra-thin layers.

This requires:

  • Patience
  • Consistency
  • Time
  • An understanding of how each layer interacts with the previous one

Missing just one stage — such as not filling grain properly or applying too much shellac — can ruin the entire finish.

3. Timing Is Critical

Shellac dries quickly, which is both a benefit and a challenge.

Timing issues include:

  • If the pad is too dry → it drags and leaves marks
  • If it's too wet → it floods the surface
  • If applied too soon → it re-dissolves the earlier layers
  • If left too long → the surface may become uneven or dull

This balance of speed and precision takes practice to master.

4. The Wood Type Changes the Technique

Every timber behaves differently.

Examples:

  • Mahogany and walnut: Pores need filling, or the finish looks uneven
  • Pine: Soft and tricky; dents easily
  • Maple: Hard and less absorbent
  • Rosewood: Oily and needs special preparation

Understanding wood behaviour is a key part of successful French polishing, and only experience teaches this.

5. "Spiriting Off" Is Especially Challenging

The final stage — removing oil and refining the shine — is where many people make mistakes.

Common difficulties:

  • Over-spiriting can make the finish dull
  • Insufficient spiriting leaves oily streaks
  • Incorrect motion can remove layers instead of smoothing them

Professionals often say this last step requires the most finesse.

6. Repairs and Touch-Ups Need Expertise

One advantage of shellac is that it is repairable — but repairing it well is another skill entirely.

Challenges include:

  • Matching colour
  • Blending new shellac into old layers
  • Avoiding cloudy patches
  • Restoring a uniform sheen

Restorers often spend as much time mastering repairs as the initial polishing technique.

So, Is French Polishing Difficult?

Yes — French polishing is highly difficult, and that's exactly why the results are so admired. It's a craft that blends:

  • Technique
  • Patience
  • Experience
  • A deep understanding of timber
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Precision

For this reason, homeowners and antique collectors usually trust trained professionals to carry out French polishing rather than attempting it themselves.

Trust the Experts for Your French Polishing Needs

With decades of experience and refined craftsmanship, our skilled professionals bring the precision and expertise needed to achieve that perfect French polish finish. Don't risk your treasured furniture — let our experts handle it.

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