Refinishing a Vintage Table with French Polish - a Fixing Furniture Restoration Project
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- This vintage wood table had a damaged finish on the top and on the shelf. There was no way to save the finish, so I used furniture stripper to remove the old finish. I share some refinishing techniques and collaborate with Trena on the @johnsfurniturerepair UA-cam channel to test out a new furniture stripper.
Once the finish was removed from the table, the top still looked really bad. I sanded it down past the stain to the bare wood before building up the color with dye stains. I chose to use a French Polish finish on this table. I've been doing a lot of research on French Polish and this was my first time using it on a project. I share my experience as I built up the finish through multiple layers of shellac to get a beautiful finish.
RESOURCES:
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Book - Classic Finishing Techniques (French Polishing - amzn.to/3XMghdx
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🇨🇦 Canadian link - amzn.to/3PLGmVq
Garnet Shellac Flakes - amzn.to/3W2K3Kc
Book: Classic Finishing Techniques (French Polishing details) - amzn.to/3FVWIcn
🇨🇦 amzn.to/3YvBhpD
Book: Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing - amzn.to/3HFFeST
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Book: Understanding Wood Finishing - amzn.to/3BExjS4
🇨🇦 amzn.to/3iZUbVq
Book: Methods of Work: Finishing: The best tips from 25 years of Fine Woodworking - amzn.to/3HIvdEh
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#refinishing #vintage #FrenchPolish
YAYYYYY TRENA!!! LOVE HERRRR!
This is the Bob Ross of woodworking guys.
Bro, you drove 3 hours to consult with another UA-camR???? Stellar move, Scott. Wisdom and promoting others rather hindering. Bravo, sir.
Glad you appreciate it. Thank you for sharing that! Scott
@@FixingFurniture That's part of the Bro Code, which you honored.
I get the chemical strippers. These folks make their living refinishing and repairing furniture. Their time is money. Waiting for a stripper to do its job is lost potential income. As long as they are safe and responsible using the strippers I think this is great. Also both of these people are top professionals and were getting a master class in furniture restoration.
First and foremost, II'm a great admirer of your workn order to achieve a beautiful result with my shellac polish, first comes the pore filling, without which, in my opinion, a satisfactory result cannot be achieved with open-pored wood such as mahogany, walnut or even ash (Biedermeier furniture from southern Germany often has an ash veneer). I generally also give birch and cherry tree veneers a pore filling, because the more closed the pores, the shinier and smoother the shellac polish is afterwards. To fill the pores, I use shellac blonde wax diluted in a ratio of 1:5 or 6, and I use pumice flour as a pore filler. The bale is constructed like the one for the shellac polish: an old, fine linen on the outside, then a piece of cotton and pure wool on the inside, because pure wool has the best absorption capacity for the liquid. When filling the pores, the ball soaked in shellac must be wet, unlike when polishing. I dip the cotton side of the bale into the pumice flour, add the linen over it and can now rub the pumice flour into the pores. Each piece of wood needs several passes. I let a day pass between each cycle so that the filling can settle, then I sand lightly and start again. With cherry trees and birches, only three passes are often enough, and with ash I have had more than 10 passes. Then the shellac polish follows. The pores all need to be closed. Of course not. But I love a mirror-smooth, glossy surface, especially with Biedermeier. Yes, it is a complex process. But the benefits are unmatched when it comes to synthetic polishes. You can always build on a shellac polish!
Thank you for sharing the techniques that are working for you. That's helpful to understand for me and our viewers. Thanks for taking the time to explain this. Scott #tip
Love Trena!
WOW! BEAUTIFUL. Thanks for teaming up with Trena
I love Trena! She rocks.
Some people have such patience!
Amazing!
you realize that you can make a humungous amount of dollars (US) french polishing. and your excellent 1 hr and 3 minute video will make you a pauper!
Neat to see you partner with Trenna on this project. When it comes to finishing she’s not only a master craftsman but a true artist. That table looks incredible. I would leave off the faux nail heads.
Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate it! Scott
Came out beautiful. I vote for leaving the tack strip off. Looks great without it.
Nicely done.😊
Thank you! Cheers!
Love Trena and now I'm glad to have found you too!
That's great! Trena is a lovely person to work with! Scott
I think the tack strip looked nice, added some more character and definition to the table.
Trena did one of these tables on her channel and she put the tape back on and even ordered replacement beads.
I really appreciate the fact that you brought out the SDS. I feel like it's something that maybe a lot of people don't know about, and I very rarely see it mentioned at all, especially on UA-cam, so I appreciate the fact that you took the time to show it and warn people about the potential hazards that chemicals can pose and what you can do to mitigated the risk, and also how to find that information.
I'm glad you appreciate that Jonathan! I included it to help people stay safe as I've seen some retired craftsmen with health issues. Cheers. Scott
I love your method of French polish. I use a similar method regularly in my shop with different colors of shellac. Something that gives my French Polish a little something extra, a little bit more depth, is that I add a hi light color with dye in blond shellac in the final coats. Sometimes it’s a color that is naturally occurring in the grain or just something that I feel makes the piece really pop. It’s popular with many of my customers.
Love the Dutch! Chocolate for breakfast!
How lovely that you collaborated with Trena. I discovered her first which probably led to you. So amazing to have the cumulative experience of you both. Two great approaches.
I loved to see you working with Trena, (She was the first restorer that I came across, a few years back) but what made me smile most, was the way you set off, on a 3/4 hour drive, as though you were just "popping out to the shops". In the UK, that would almost be considered an expedition, LOL. I'm also glad that you made a point of underlining the potential hazards, and the precautions that must be taken when using a harsh chemical stripper! Thanks for that, 👍
Definitely looks better without the tack strip. It was my immediate thought when seeing this table. It just looked wrong, like it was an add on at some point in its history of refinishing.
Thanks Dawn!
No tacks! Table looks amazing. Ann Marie@48
Thanks for sharing that Ann Marie! Scott
I don't like that tack strip. I'd definitely leave it off. Beautiful job restoring that table!
Thank you! Scott
I think it’s the right decision to leave off the tack strip. Thanks for including the Canadian sources! 🇨🇦 I sometimes find it difficult to get things like shellac and burn-in sticks in the local stores.
You're welcome. Thanks for sharing that feedback. Cheers. Scott
Noticed you were adding the DNA right over your top. Any drops of alcohol would have ruined your finish. Don’t ask me how I know this.
It’s a beautiful finish.
I think you made the right chouce. The tack strip makes the whole table took bad. Nice job polishing too
Thank you Al. Scott
Nice! High, high, quality work! Thanks for Sharing..
Great job, and the shine made me go nuts!!! thank you!!! //Lars And dont put them there beads ON!!!!
Thank you Lars! Scott
No tack strip.
Great job!!!
Yes! Thank you!
Great job! I know it's not meant to be, but I kept seeing Mickey Mouse in the cloverleaf design and couldn't unsee it throughout the video.
Love Trena’s channel
Yes, she does great work!
Beautiful table! The finish turned out great! Don't add the edging, it looks much better without.
Thank you for that John. Scott
Good job, especially for the 1st time.
I first used shellac and oil on lathe work when I was 12. In fact, in woodshop class, shellac and varnish were the only 2 finishes we were allowed to use in 7th and 8th grades. I've had over 20 years experience as a professional furniture maker and finisher in a high end custom shop. I use mostly nitrocellulose lacquer, though sometimes varnish, shellac, oil and wax, polyurethane (my least favorite finish), and epoxy are called for.
When doing finish work at home, I usually use shellac and oil, mainly because of fumes and flammability issues. By the way, when using oils and oil based stain, never dispose of the rags in the trash. They can spontaneously combust! I've had it happen when my bosses teenage son didn't heed my instructions to put the rags in a bucket of water. It happened when we were driving back from Dallas in his father's truck. People kept honking at us on the freeway and pointing. Finally I looked and saw smoke coming from the back of the truck. We pulled over and several moving blankets were on fire. He had stuffed the oily rags in a bag and the blankets were on top of it. I sprayed them down with several cans of Dr. Pepper, which helped, but we ended up leaving them beside the road.
For stripping you can't beat KS-3! It contains methyl chloride which works great. I use it in the finish room, which has an heavy duty exhaust fan. Always wear gloves! It stings really bad when it gets on your skin, so make sure to wear goggles and don't breathe the fumes.
Keep practicing the French polish and learn to build up the finish in multiple coats. You can also get a satin or even a full finish by using #4 pumice stone or 0000 steel wool lubed very lightly with flax soap. Good luck!
Beautiful French polish! I found your videos just recently and shared one with my son-in-law who likes to work in the wood shop. You explain everything so well if even I can understand. Bravo. I watched those two goofy guys who had a refinishing show in the 90s and they demonstrated French polishing. They were adamant that you had to start long, sweeping strokes outside of the edges and finish them outside, too. I didn’t realize that it could be achieved with the swirling strokes as you did. But it did! Fabulous outcome. I’m working through your videos and learn something new in each one.
the tack strip on the original was not quite so brassy-shiney. It gave the whole piece a unique flare. Perhaps if you could darken the new strip it would be more appealing. We really have enjoyed the process. Many thanks.
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you liked it. Scott
In my research I have seen most of these tables without the trim. Great job and have a very Merry Christmas and continued success. Two of my favorite furniture re-finishers, Scott and Trena. In regards to stripping the legs, I have seen this done many times by Trena. She basically places the leg in a container and then washes the stripper over the leg again and again with her brush, then finishes it with the steel wool. It seems to work well for her. Thanks for what you do. John here from the back-roads of Northeastern Tennessee.
Thanks for sharing that John. I appreciate it! Scott
I marvel at your skill & patience. The table is stunning.
Glad you like it Joan. Thanks for sharing that. Scott
What a transformation. Very well done, and a beautiful piece of furniture!
PS: When working with natural materials, remember: Nature is perfectly imperfect!
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the awesome time! Great work on finishing it! Cheers!
I'm seeing some comments here that viewers watch your channel as well Trena. I had fun working with you on this! Maybe we should plan something for 2023! Cheers
Yay you are both my favorite furniture restoration channel plus the thomas johnson guy would be great to see all 3 of you guys collaborate
Thanks for sharing that Lisa. Here's a video I did with Tom about wood glue for furniture restoration. Cheers. ua-cam.com/video/qK0IR8WT_jE/v-deo.html
Good job on the French polish! For stripping the old finish I use Kleen Strip 3 and lacquer thinner. Either do it outside or use a strong exhaust fan. Wear gloves,a respirator and an apron.
Most excellent! Thankyou for sharing your journey!
My two favorite furniture restorers in one video. I'm going to feint, but I'll wait until the video ends. Thank you,
Aside from this being interesting and informative, I really appreciate your highlighting of safe handling and responsible disposal of all chemicals involved. Wonderfully done! Thank you!
The method I have used for stripping shellac is a mix of lacquer thinner and paint thinner. The thicker the shellac the more paint thinner needed to soften it. Of course proper mask safety and ventilation need to be used with these chemicals. The advantage is that there is no waiting and it is less expensive than strippers. The disadvantage is that everything needs to be washed to get the smell of lacquer thinner out of the wood. I use a mix of Murphys Oil soap, vinegar and Borax in water which I learned from Thomas Johnson. Also this would not be a useful solution where you cannot clean areas properly like the joinery on a panelled dresser. Thanks, Scott, for sharing your expertise with us.
Thank you for sharing those details! I appreciate it! Scott #tip
Good job and greetings from the UK. My view is leave the tack strip off - looks a lot classier without
Thank you Nick! Cheers. Scott
No tack strip.beautiful w/out it.❤️
Thank you! Scott
Beautiful table, I love you the fact that you're joining forces with Trena.
Thank you. As you can tell, we had fun working together. Cheers. Scott
wow wow wow! so glad I fond you.
Glad you found our channel. Please share with others. Thanks. Scott 🇨🇦
The piece looks great as is. Leave the tack strip off. Nice job.
Thank you for sharing that! Scott
love that table, the shape is great, that twol obe shape.
Beautiful job!!
And I'd leave the tack strip off. 👍
A masterpiece of a video to end the year. looking forward to perfect my die staining techniques in 2023.
That sounds like a great goal! Thanks for sharing that. Scott
It’s dye. Try perfecting your literacy first 😂
No tack strip. Good video.
Thank you! Scott
Definitely watching the before and after pics, I prefer without tackstrip. Does not look right being on there to begin with. Great job on the finishing.
For me I use a piece of PVC Pipe with a cap on one end. that is just bigger in diameter and about the same length as the leg im going to strip. then i put the leg in in to the pipe and pour the stripper over it and let it set. after a wait time i take the leg out and clean off any finish that i can, then put it back until it is finished, just flip the leg over and do the other end. it makes it nice because you don't have to throw away the stripper, you can reuse it again just put a cap on the open end so it doesn't dry out. it also helps to contain the fumes from getting in to the shop.
i think the oddity on the tack strip is that the tacks are all shiney, the antique one had a dark polish stain on the edge of all the beads. it makes a huge impact on the ending look, intended or not. i find the dual color of the tacks look so much better than the shiney new ones. it would be hard to mimic that with new tacks tho.
Tack strip off good job once again.
Thanks for sharing that Mary! Scott
My two favorite people! What a treat!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks!
I would put the tack strip on. It adds another element to the piece. Looks great!
Great video.
One comment on the 3rd step is to try sprinting the mineral oil directly on the piece, rather than on the polisoir. It seems to be easer to control. It is a bit like sprinkling holy water on the area that you want to polish. I find it easier to feel for the resistance.
I use a scrap from an old Italian sheet for the outside of the polisoir and a scrap from an old wool undershirt for the inside.
I was fortunate to learn the techniques from a master of French Polishing in Florence Italy.
It takes time and so much of it is just muscle memory.
Wow, thank you for the tips! That must have been a fascinating learning experience. I appreciate you sharing that. Scott
I can't put my finger on it, but something is missing without the beaded tape. The edge doesn't looked finished...something is off. Great work for a polish finish, wish I had your talents.
leave the tack strip off - the table looks better without it. You've doen a great job with the finish, looks fantastic.
I like your process of a timely decision. So many people get too impatient. Well thought out plans and time and error are reliable teachers. Thank you for the video. I am going to watch it again as I have had thoughts of french polishing but the jury is still out for me. Again, you provide very good videos for people to learn their craft. Ps, off with the tack strip is my vote.
I'm glad you enjoyed this video Dave. I appreciate the feedback as I find it encouraging. Thanks for your thoughts as well on the tack strip. Scott
I like that you left the 80s biker jacket vibe off the side if the table! Awesome job!
It’s beautiful - and no on the tack strip!
41:35 its really starting to look good 👍
Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration has some videos on what you are trying to accomplish. Great job!
Thanks for sharing that process Scott , nice work 👏👏👍
Beading off, even the original didn't look correct for the piece
Thanks 👍
Leave the tack strip off in my opinion. Amazing job you have done on that, nice work!
I agree, the table looks amazing without the tack strip.
Thank you for sharing that! Scott
@@FixingFurniture Looks more like a period piece without the tack strip. The tack strip looks... well, "tacky". :) Watched most of your videos this year. Enjoying the channel and your approach to repairs.
Definitely off. I have a clover table also; but it’s walnut and English. I got it at an estate sale at a large Colonial house built in 1750 in Norfolk, CT, USA. It is smaller than yours but has the same round water mark where someone left a flower pot on it-who knows how many years ago? I haven’t tackled it yet, but think I’ll have the courage now. Thanks for all the careful instructions.
@@QueenBee-gx4rpwell that comment was 1 year ago, so how long were you planning on taking?
In the meantime, a full housing estate has been built round the corner with Road names like clover and people jibing on the mind map seems worse than ever? Although admittedly I’m still being pointed back to comments and read what people are saying completely differently; nothing like feeling like you’ve been in limbo under a space ship for decades, like flight of the navigator and ever covert content is streamed as an algorithm through a tv or radio. I mean…was it intended as satanic ritual/spiritual abuse towards some test tube babies, or is there an actual purpose? The bullying ghosts and the long amount of time watching constant deceit is rather disheartening to faith in humanity and the hope of peace in the mind at some point in life? If only later life.
Thank you for sharing your work. I would leave the tack strip off. You should watch Thomas Johnson's Antiques, he has a great French Polish video I think he would be a great resource for you. I didn't miss your sharpening tools with Trena either.
You're welcome. Yes, Tom has a lot of experience. Here's a video we did together about wood glue for furniture restoration. Cheers. ua-cam.com/video/qK0IR8WT_jE/v-deo.html
Hey Scott. I only recently found your channel, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I dabble a little with woodworking and have made the exact mistakes that you say to avoid, and as a result I've learnt a massive amount from your channel.
On the question of stripping, I've always preferred the heat technique using a heat gun, followed by a 220-320 grit light sanding, and used a polyurethane varnish. I'm not a great fan of chemicals at all unless absolutely no other option.
Great channel. Regards from Australia.
That is the same mirror finish my new Stickley mahogany dresser had. Exquisite!
I think a tack strip would mimic a pie crust edge, that would be appropriate for the tables curved shelves.
Thanks for sharing that Jack. Scott
Interesting... I didn't think anyone used tacks anymore.
BTW...very nice job. The table looks great!
Enjoyed the video Scott and the visit to Trena's shop. Wow what a transformation. That shine is awesome. I'm like you I don't like the tacks around the top edge. I'd leave them off. Never heard of or seen that Dutch treat here in North Carolina. You all take care and God bless. Happy New Year.
Thanks Ron. Happy New Year to you too! Scott
Thank you for a most complete tutorial! And definitely no tack strip - the bevel look to the edge of the table is graceful and lovely.
Thanks for your thoughts on that. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers. Scott
I love Trena's work. You couldn't ask anyone better for expert advice.
thank you but I live in the UK so maybe you can choose someone else.
There was someone impersonating our account with a scam that left that previous comment. I've blocked them from posting comments and reported them to UA-cam for the scam.
Considering you need to use 4 or 6 times the amount of "safe" stripper and expose yourself to it for hours, I wonder just how safer it is compared to the old fast-acting chemicals.
Your table looks very similar to one my grandmother bought in the late 1930-early 1940s.
I've had the best French polish results following PabloRequena on youtube methods for using shellac and pumice filling.
Flexner's book is great.
I'd hit the tack strip with a couple of coats of ruby shellac to tone it down.
Lovely results!
Thanks for suggesting PabloRequena. I will look at his videos. Thanks as well for your thoughts on the tack strip. I appreciate it. Scott
I love French polish, I love Trena, and I'm fond of you. I would restore it to the way it left the factory. Thank you,
Leave the tack strip off. Beautiful job!!
I have this same table. Thank you for this video. I have left the studs on the top. Because that is the way my grandparents had it.
Oh, cool. Do you have any idea of the age of your table?
@@FixingFurniture I don’t know it was at my grandparents and afte they died I spotted it in a back bedroom storage room. So I would be guessing.
Those warnings are no joke! Met a customer who was on the brink of death due to liver failure from careless exposure. He was stripping furniture and using finishes in his basement, and even though he wore a respirator while working, those fumes linger. Now he cannot even risk using something low-voc. He will never work with furniture again.
Nice video. I liked the comparison between strippers. In the past I have used the gel type stripper to keep drips to a minimum. I also installed a 24 inch fan in one wall of my shop to move out chemicals.
For my last refinishing project I chucked up the legs in my lathe and turned it by hand to sand, stain and varnish them. It give you an extra pair of hands and better visibility for checking your work. A bit of news print will protect your lathe from any spills.
That's a great tip Herb to use a lathe on the turned parts! That's smart! Thanks. Scott #tip
Это невероятно красивое преображене.Вызыает чувство восхищения 🎉Браво❤❤❤
Scott: leave the beaded tack strip off. The table is a beautiful restore piece now. I wonder if that tack strip was added later?
Thanks for the road trip. I wasn’t really aware of Trena and her work.
Your creative work is amazing. The first go at French polishing is highly successful. Great informative video. Carol from California
Glad you enjoyed it Carol. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the tack strip! Cheers. Scott
No! It looks beautiful as is!!
I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.
Thank you for the tidbits, I'm just learning about the different woods and the types of finish to use
Leave the trim off. The edge looks better without it. And YAY Trina!
I love Trena! I am huge fan of hers besides your of course!
That's awesome! Thanks for sharing that Tanya! Scott
I like the decorative strip.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that! Scott
I really like the collaborations with the other professionals. Funny thing is that I follow Trena and Tom as well as you. I guess technically the the tack strip fits the era of the piece but I would leave it off.
Thanks for the feedback on the collaborations Les and your thoughts on the tack strip. I appreciate it. Scott
So much nicer without the trim. Gorgeous!
That surface is beautiful
Thank you Laney!
Hagelslag... chocolate on toast for breakfast! 👍👍👍👍
Yes! A breakfast of champions! Cheers. Scott
Hi, I think you should get a tack strip with a darker color almost matching the table. My reason for this is that the wooden edge of the table will be protected from bumps and damage, it will look good without being too obvious and will be more in line with the original concept of the table.
You paying for it? 😔
Thanks Scott. That was really interesting and turned out beautiful. I was especially impressed with your magentic tipped hammer. And I would leave the tack strip off
Thanks Greg! Good to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing your thoughts on the tack strip.
I couldn't get the hang of French polish. My boss was enamored with the look but doing it is hard. That's why I'm here. I want to see how you do it. :) 46:48 Well, it's no wonder my work came out crappy. The 1800s book we were working from used this technique for the entire process. No pumice. Trying to fill in the grain with multiple coats and keep it even, that's the skill right there. He gave me two days to learn this and I couldn't do it. Bravo to you.
17:41 Could covering this with plastic wrap be a way to keep it wet? Maybe even let it sit overnight?
The tack piece around the edge is nice. I think that using a dark wax on the metal might make it blend better with the wood, getting rid of that leather jacket look. Dixie Belle waxes have a fine reputation.