I am under the impression that wax is needed to protect the shellac in "the field." By the way Mr. Dudley, the work you show at your web site looks great!

I recommend www.timberluxe.com. Made by PGCA member Brian Board.

It is easier to apply than French polish, and will not absorb moisture and cloud. You can apply it over existing finish and it will penetrate through.

Bruce how long can you use this product once you have opened the jar?

From the Timberlux site:

Q: What is the shelf life of TimberLuxe?

A: If unopened, it will last several years. Once the lid comes off and the finish is exposed to oxygen, you need to use it in 2-3 weeks. The finish will start to turn into a jelly/marmalade substance, which is still usable at this point. At some point it may become too thick to spread. We recommend cleaning the threads of the jar/lid after every use to keep it from gluing itself shut.

It will start to thicken relatively quickly.

You can spend $35 for 2 oz. of stock finish that turns into jelly within three weeks if you want.

However, I find that Pro Custom Oil from Brownells does an excellent job for about half the money, and lasts for at least a year.

French polish? The term "French" should tell you all you need to know...

I am a bit confused, as I get older it seems to happen quite a lot anymore.
I always use Shellac, Alcohol and olive oil for French polishing.
How are Blo and japan driers used in the process?
Am I missing something?





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Some people use BLO as the oil lubricant in a French polish process.

I understand the BLO for lubricant but not the Japan drier. The lubricant is so the pad doesn't stick right away as the shellac is applied. Shellac and oil don't mix. Why try to dry BLO, you wipe it off if you use too much, it stays on the surface.

I've yet to do a stock but when I French polish a fiddle or a mandolin with varnish finish, I use shellac and a drop of mineral oil on the cotton rag to apply it. I never heard of anyone using 3n1 oil before. I also never saw a need to wax it afterward. If the grain is filled, it doesn't take all that much to get a thin protective and glossy hard coat to build.