1. Shellac – The Material
Shellac is a natural resin that comes in flake form and is dissolved in alcohol to create a liquid wood finish.
Shellac is:
- A natural resin
- Mixed with alcohol to create polish
- Available in different colours (blonde, garnet, ruby, etc.)
- Used for many types of wood finishing, not just French polishing
Shellac can be applied with a brush, sprayed, or wiped on in various ways.
2. French Polish – The Technique
French polishing is a traditional hand-applied finishing method that uses shellac applied in many thin layers using a cloth pad called a rubber or fad.
French polishing involves:
- Applying dozens of ultra-thin shellac layers
- Using circular, figure-eight, and sweeping motions
- Filling the timber grain with pumice
- "Spiriting off" to remove excess oil
- Building a deep, glossy, mirror-like finish
French polishing is a method, not a substance.
3. How They Work Together
French polishers use shellac as the finishing material, but the shine, clarity, and depth you see in a French-polished piece come from the technique, not just the shellac itself.
Think of it like this:
- Shellac = the ingredient
- French polishing = the recipe
You can use shellac without French polishing, but you cannot French polish without shellac.
4. Can You Apply Shellac Without French Polishing?
Yes — shellac can be applied in many other ways:
- Brushed-on shellac
- Sprayed shellac
- Wipe-on shellac
- Shellac-based sanding sealer
These methods create a nice finish, but none will achieve the same deep, hand-crafted, glass-like shine as French polishing.
5. Why the Confusion?
People often say "French polish" when they actually mean "shellac finish," because:
- Both have been used for centuries
- Many antique pieces originally used shellac
- Shellac is the core ingredient in French polishing
However, the professional terminology is different, especially in restoration work.
Summary: Are French Polish and Shellac the Same?
No — they are related but not the same:
| French Polish | Shellac |
|---|---|
| A technique | A material |
| Uses many thin layers | Comes as flakes dissolved in alcohol |
| Creates a mirror-like finish | Can be applied in various ways |
| Requires high skill and time | Easy to prepare and use |
| Hand-crafted method | The resin used in that method |
If you want the deepest, glossiest, most elegant finish possible, French polishing is the method — and shellac is the ingredient that makes it possible.