Skip to content
Fine Woodworking
Main Menu
Subscribe
GET THE MAGAZINE & MORE
Magazine Cover
  • Save 69% off the cover price
  • Or, get everything with UNLIMITED, including 40+ years of the online archive.
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • Projects & Plans
  • How-To
  • Shop Tips
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Magazine
  • Video Workshops
  • Members
  • Forum
  • Gallery
  • Blogs
  • More
    • Log In
    • Join
    Fine Woodworking Main Menu Subscribe

    Fine Woodworking Project Guides

    Finishing

    Guide Home
    Chapter
    • Finishing Basics
    • Tools & Materials
    • Sanding & Surface Preparation
    • Coloring Wood
    • Finish Types & Waxes
    • Spray Finishing
    • Shellac & Other Finishes
    • Repairs & Refinishing
    Member-Only

    Sign in or become a member to access this story

    Sign in

    French Polishing: How to Tackle Carved Details

    French polishing is often associated with tabletops, but the technique was used on carvings and other fine details. In this video you'll learn a pro's methods for French polishing carved elements.

    By John Coffey Dec 04, 2019

    Start your 14-day FREE trial to watch this video

    Plus, access more than 500 video workshop episodes when you become a member

    Start Your Free Trial

    Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.

    Sign Up

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up
    ×

    Videos in the Series

    • What is French Polishing?

      What is French Polishing?

      November 12, 2019

      Finishing expert and woodworker John Coffey gives an introduction to shellac, discussing the different types, how to mix it, and how to apply it to create a long-lasting, beautiful French polish finish.

    • Filling the Pores

      French Polishing: Filling the Pores, Part 1

      November 19, 2019

      The initial step in French polishing, called the first polish, is filling the open pores of the wood with shellac, pumice, and good old fashioned elbow grease.

    • Filling the Pores

      French Polishing: Filling the Pores, Part 2

      November 19, 2019

      The initial step in French polishing, called the first polish, is filling the open pores of the wood with shellac, pumice, and good old fashioned elbow grease.

    • Filling the Pores

      French Polishing: Filling the Pores, Part 3

      November 19, 2019

      The initial step in French polishing, called the first polish, is filling the open pores of the wood with shellac, pumice, and good old fashioned elbow grease.

    • French Polishing: How to Build Up the Finish

      French Polishing: How to Build Up the Finish

      November 26, 2019

      The final step of the French polish is call the second polish. The process involves filling the grain, and then bodying, or building up a thin film of finish to achieve a classic high-gloss look.

    • french polishing carved details

      French Polishing: How to Tackle Carved Details

      December 4, 2019

      French polishing is often associated with tabletops, but the technique was used on carvings and other fine details. In this video you'll learn a pro's methods for French polishing carved elements.

    X
    X
    Previous: French Polishing: How to Build Up the Finish Next: Finish Recipe to Warm Up Walnut

    Guide

    Finishing

    Chapter

    Shellac & Other Finishes

    Comments

    1. GoodGriefGarage | Dec 06, 2019 10:30am | #1

      I really appreciate these long, detailed video workshops. They are very valuable records of experts at work. My understanding of French polishing is now much improved. However, I’m not confident that I could successfully do this. Key points in the process rely on judgement about the amount of attention still needed on various parts of the surface, but the quality of the video was not up to showing this, at least on my computer screen. I’m left wondering whether Ben feels ready to begin French polishing on his own?

      1. User avater FWW Editor
        BenStrano | Dec 09, 2019 09:22am | #2

        I absolutely feel ready to try it. Not sure how successful I'll be though! Keep an eye out, since I'm going to French polish my next ukulele in the next month or so.

    2. Hendriver | Dec 14, 2019 03:04pm | #3

      Excellent series. I too appreciate the time taken to explain all the processes.

    3. miw | Dec 21, 2019 12:15am | #4

      This series is superb. I feel like my FWW subscription was justified by this alone.

    4. User avater
      Blue_Rocco | Jan 02, 2020 08:36pm | #5

      I have seen a lot of vids on how to do this. And I have done it myself as well. It is great to see a lot of what I learned the hard way, being explained. I was mostly interested in the small stuff, like carvings, but the whole thing helped tremendously!

    5. User avater
      GA_Brunet | Mar 15, 2020 08:23am | #6

      M. Coffey definitely have his way to see the thing, it is just wonderful to listen to it. A good video serie that will capture a piece of all this expertise. I would take more !

    6. TonySnr | May 28, 2020 04:41pm | #7

      I remember when he mentioned the name Jorge Frank that I borrowed this book from the book library long before the internet and I remember learning so much from it, it's a great read.

    Log in or become a member to post a comment.

    Sign up Log in

    Finishing

    Finishing

    Choose and apply the perfect finish for your project.

    View Project Guide

    View All Project Guides »

    Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Finishing Project Guide.

    Start Free Trial

    Finishing Basics
    • An Introduction to Finishing
    • Finish Selection
    Tools & Materials
    • Brushes and Applicators
    • Brushing Techniques
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Safety
    Sanding & Surface Preparation
    • Before You Finish
    • Sanding
    • Sealers and Fillers
    Coloring Wood
    • Dyes and Stains
    • Painted Finishes
    • Ebonizing & Oxidizing
    • Fuming
    • Gilding
    Finish Types & Waxes
    • Oil-Based Finishes
    • Water-Based Finishes
    • Wax
    Spray Finishing
    • Equipment and Setup
    • Spray Techniques
    Shellac & Other Finishes
    • Shellac
    • French Polishing
    • Finish Recipes
    Repairs & Refinishing
    • Finish Repairs
    • Refinishing

    Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

    • #292-NOV/DEC 2021

      • Kerf-bent wall cabinet
      • Online extras from FWW issue #292
      • How to tame curved parts with patterns
    • #291-Sep/Oct 2021

      • Build a modern coffee table
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #291
      • Editor's Letter: Something old, something new
    • #290-July/Aug 2021

      • Build a Shaker chest of drawers
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #290
      • From the editor: What we make matters
    • #289-May/June 2021

      • Arts & Crafts Coffee Table with Story-Book Charm
      • Links from Fine Woodworking issue #289
      • Step-by-Step Guide to Tuning Your Block Plane
    • #288-Mar/Apr 2021

      • Phil Lowe: A craftsman and gentleman
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #288
      • Phil Lowe: craftsman, teacher, friend

    UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

    Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership

    Fine WoodWorking

    Follow

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Membership & Magazine

    • Members
    • Digital Libraries
    • Join Unlimited
    • Magazine Subscription
    • Magazine Renewal
    • Gift a Subscription
    • Customer Support
    • Manage Preferences

    Taunton Network

    • Fine Homebuilding
    • Green Building Advisor
    • Fine Gardening
    • Threads
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • California Privacy Rights
    • Site Map

    © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Get step-by-step instructions, woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox. Sign Up Now!

      Main Menu

    • Projects and Plans
    • How-To
    • Shop Tips
    • Tools & Materials
    • Videos
    • Gallery
    • Magazine
    • Video Workshops
    • Members
    • Forum

      Popular Topics

    • Design
    • Small Projects
    • Beds
    • Chairs, Benches And Stools
    • Built-ins
    • Storage And Shelves
    • Cabinets
    • Carving
    • Casework
    • Desks
    • Tables
    • Shop Storage And Furniture
    • Woodturning Projects
    • Workbenches
    • Surface Prep

      More

    • TV
    • Forum
    • Blogs
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
    • Customer Support

      Account

    • Log In
    • Join

      Magazine

    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Digital Libraries
    • Magazine Index
    • Subscribe

      Membership

    • Member Home
    • Start Free Trial
    • Gift Unlimited
    • Log In

      Shop the Store

    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Taunton Workshops

      Events

    • Fine Woodworking Live
    • Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

      Account

    • Log In
    • Sign Up

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Follow

    UNLIMITED

    Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Upgrade Membership