French polish part2 (Spiriting Off)

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  • Опубликовано: 3 янв 2025

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  • @TrendKill75
    @TrendKill75 Год назад +1

    It's the first time I've seen one of your videos, and the thing I immediately appreciated is your calm, the absence of haste, and the absence of advice aimed at "saving time", or shortcuts to "do it faster ",
    or in a more "simple" way.
    These jobs take "time".
    You were right about going easy on the alcohol drops: in this final stage, the alcohol should make it possible to polish with the cloth, so it (very gently) dissolves the last thin layer of the shellac surface, allowing the cloth, with each pass, to gradually polish the finish. There are no ways to do it faster, no ways to simplify. And that's because this is not an easy job, nor a quick one. It takes time, patience, and a lot of experience. At that point, however, the result is not comparable to any other type of finish, be it nitro lacquer, polyurethane, or other. A wonder, of we think that we are using only natural ingredients, nothing artificial or synthetic.
    I work as a luthier, in the laboratory where my father worked as a restorer of period furniture, antique pieces which once finished with shellac were a spectacle.
    By using shellac the aesthetic characteristics of the wood are enhanced to the maximum, furthermore it is the best thing when it comes to wood that must be able to vibrate in an acoustic instrument.
    Tomy, I know you do various other things, as a craftsman, but let me give you a tip for the next time you'll try the "french polishing". Prepare a small bottle with a well-diluted shellac solution, and add a small piece of "benzoin resin" (nowadays it can also be easily found online, once upon a time it was not easy to find the right retailer who stocked these materials in the shop), dissolved in alcohol together with shellac. This will be fundamental, to be only used in your last passes, perhaps after your wet sandpaper. When you'll see the result, you can attach a "very shiny" label to the bottle and keep it aside for the next job.
    One more thing: don't go crazy wiping the oil with another cloth. In reality we are not putting the oil only to then remove it with a little alcohol: the oil, in this phase, serves to make your pad slide well, while the little alcohol allows the surface to "undergo" the mechanical "smoothing" effect of the cloth. It is sufficient, every now and then, to place the bottle of oil on your pad, and calmly continue your polishing.
    Please don't misunderstand my advice, I watched my dad do this for years, ever since I was a child, and then started working with him. It's wonderful to see so many people who, seeing your videos, are passionate and interested in these arts, furthermore you communicate respect for what you are doing, there is no superficiality, but at the same time you give security to those who follow your videos to learn .
    Keep it up! ...congratulations Tomy, and congratulations again!!
    🪵🪓
    Greetings from Turin, Italy.
    Duke

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  Год назад +2

      Thanks for your comment Duke and tips… i Will definitely try the benzoin resin trick. I love to learn and try new things, this is peeking my curiosity.
      Really appreciate you taking the time to write your feedback… glad you enjoyed the video

    • @TrendKill75
      @TrendKill75 Год назад +1

      @@HovingtonInstruments I know, I don't usually write comments, so I can't be concise. however, it was "respect" for what you do that pushed me to write to you. congratulations again. HI!

  • @calebcothron3556
    @calebcothron3556 6 лет назад +4

    When Tomy Hovington builds an instrument, it's immaculate. When I build one... It's got "character"... Fantastic work, really beautiful.

  • @vautrain
    @vautrain 2 года назад

    I’ve been trying to apply shellac on bolt-on guitar necks, and the back of the necks have turned out great but the headstocks have been challenging with my application process. Tonight I tried following your French polish methods on a headstock and it’s already much better than my previous attempts. Thank you so much for these concise videos. I now feel like I could even try French polish on a solid body.

  • @patrickpalmer3374
    @patrickpalmer3374 3 года назад

    He has me glued to this demo , I'm going to do this to a solid body with a detachable neck.

  • @patrickpalmer3374
    @patrickpalmer3374 3 года назад

    I greatful that I didn't start before watching you and just found you by chance because I wasn't sure what brand of shellac to buy, I think the good lord was guiding this dingbat. Thank you so much.

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  3 года назад

      You are very welcome, if you enjoyed this video you might like this one also..
      ruclips.net/video/edIKJsldijY/видео.html
      Thanks for stopping by

  • @cassgascoigne
    @cassgascoigne 3 года назад

    I never had much luck (good results) with shellac, until now. I followed your routine & "eureka". Best finish I've ever had. Thank you for sharing that method.

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  3 года назад +1

      Really happy to hear that the video was helpful and that you are getting good results 👍

    • @cassgascoigne
      @cassgascoigne 3 года назад

      @@HovingtonInstruments It took several attempts, but I think I vae it now. Cheers!

  • @patrickpalmer3374
    @patrickpalmer3374 3 года назад

    I have a lot of StewMack books and tools so now I guess going to the hardware store for shellac is unacceptable, so glad I didn't buy some today when I was in Menards getting some small diamond files fore the pearl trim I have to set in along with a scorpion next to the volume tone knobs. I also inlaid a white rose between the tuners. This is the most important part for me and you are a master.

  • @jipes
    @jipes 6 лет назад

    Labour of patience and dedication ! Hats off

  • @jonahguitarguy
    @jonahguitarguy 6 лет назад

    Great tutorial on french polish. Really de-mistifies the process. And the mando is beautiful.

  • @monkeybassness
    @monkeybassness 3 года назад

    Thx for the video’s, They wil help me a lot as i’m gonna use shellac for the first time

  • @erlingwesth7055
    @erlingwesth7055 6 лет назад

    Thanks Tomy, very very instructive with good video filming and exceptionel microphone. I also appreciate your many comments during the polishing process. I learned a lot from you!

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад

      Thanks for the feedback Erling, glad you were able to get something out of the video.

  • @timberdish
    @timberdish 6 лет назад

    Beautiful work. It's good to see such an in-depth look at how the finish is achieved. Got to say, I've really enjoyed this series. Great work Tomy!

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад +1

      Thanks Matt. Love the feedback! Glad you are enjoying the series:)

  • @mikecrehore5967
    @mikecrehore5967 5 лет назад

    Thanks Tomy. Most thorough video instructions I have found. Easy to follow for my first build, a StewMac Triple 0 kit. Coat 4 and so far and it seems to be working as you instruct. Will let you know how it come out.

  • @BarryWilsonOrg
    @BarryWilsonOrg 6 лет назад

    Dear god that is beautiful. I have learned so much through this series and makes me appreciate the instrument that much more

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад +1

      Thanks for making this possible Barry. I really appreciate!

    • @BarryWilsonOrg
      @BarryWilsonOrg 6 лет назад

      Here's the only song I recorded with octave mandolin... it's OM panned hard left and mandola panned hard right. ruclips.net/video/nzTrKevjD6w/видео.html

  • @scottman-cl4jm
    @scottman-cl4jm 6 лет назад

    Amazing Tomy, I cannot wait too see the next vidieo, You are a great craftsman

  • @ChrisMoewesBystrom
    @ChrisMoewesBystrom 6 лет назад +2

    Wow, shiny and beautiful.

  • @flaviodelisa
    @flaviodelisa 5 лет назад

    Bonito trabalho.

  • @sergioderderian16
    @sergioderderian16 4 года назад

    Beautiful.... thanks for sharing.....❤️❤️🙏🙏

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  4 года назад

      Thanks, you might enjoy this one too..
      ruclips.net/video/edIKJsldijY/видео.html

  • @TheKelvie
    @TheKelvie 4 года назад

    Thanks mate a fantastic pair of videos, very informative Cheers

  • @peterpetrusa3131
    @peterpetrusa3131 6 лет назад +1

    Great work. Thanks for taking us through the finishing process; I've developed a real appreciation for French polish finishes. Do you use French polish on all your Instruments?

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад

      You’re welcome. No, I spray lacquer usually on the F and A style Mandolins. I also sprayed lacquer on guitars before. I do prefer the French polish as it’s not as stinky and way better for my health because there is no overspray.

  • @eranswisa
    @eranswisa 2 года назад

    Hi
    Thanks for the video
    I.see others guitar lutiers who end up with a last lair of polish
    & they get this super glassy shine reflection
    Have you tried?
    Btw - some not using 1200 sand papper and just use alcohol to smooth it out ( they say no.sending needed in bewtwin or final.stage just alcohol.to.smooth it out.
    Plus some do not use oil at all
    Im confuzed

  • @ThePipeous
    @ThePipeous 6 лет назад

    So where's that final video LOL. I had to watch this one again

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад +1

      I’m still working on it, half edited but still have some recording to do and pictures.. sometime next week it should be done... patience my friend;)

  • @trackie1957
    @trackie1957 3 года назад

    Hi, Tony.
    I’ve done about 6 instruments using your method and have always had good results, but seeing as each is better than the last, I know there’s improvement to be had!
    My question regarding spririting off is how do you know when you are done? I think I stop too soon and the finish that looked nice and shiny before looks a bit duller a few months later. I’m guessing that it’s oil blooming on the surface...

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  3 года назад

      It’s really hard to say without seeing it.
      It could be that you need a bit more spiriting off. Could be that the shelf life of your shellac is passed...
      maybe try on a board and see what happens if you carry on with spiriting off...

    • @trackie1957
      @trackie1957 3 года назад

      @@HovingtonInstruments
      Ok, looking at some earlier instruments and my latest (which I was sure was done because there was no trace of oil on the surface), I saw that the oil can take over a week to make its way out. Kind of scary to go back to an instrument that has been playing for a while with a spiriting pad, but maybe that’s what I gotta do..,

  • @dinkopetrov5154
    @dinkopetrov5154 11 месяцев назад

    Thats some hot stuff at 1:32

  • @russellscott1151
    @russellscott1151 3 года назад

    Nice videos thanks. Currently polishing an acoustic. When you sand back doesn’t your sand paper immediately clog up? Mine does and I go through a lot of paper although I didn’t pour on loads of oil as never seen that before?

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  3 года назад +1

      I do use a decent amount of sandpaper.
      The oil act as a lubricant and help clean the sandpaper.
      Just picture wet sanding ( but cannot use water).

  • @walterrider9600
    @walterrider9600 6 лет назад

    thank you Tomy

  • @НатальяОвсянникова-к2р

    Tommy, thanks so much for your videos!
    Please, answer my question.
    During my shellac polishing a have a small fibers of cotton sticked into finish.
    WHY ?
    Maybe I need some much oil?

  • @glennholmes9705
    @glennholmes9705 6 лет назад

    Tomy: First let me say I am enjoying your videos! I have gotten loads of information from each one of them and I am continuing to watch them. With that said I have recently built an arch top guitar. With the build complete I am onto the finish. After watching literally hours of video and reading what I can I followed mostly your instructions. This is totally the first time I have ever french polished anything so I am an extreme novice. I started a few weeks ago and have applied 4 coats of finish. After those for coats you can see that it has some finish on it. But it still looks a little blotchy and looks as if it needs a ton more finish on it. How many coats did you put on your mancello before it started to look "finished"? Should I put a heavier coat on initially and thinner coats following? The way it looks not it is going to take at least 20 more coats before it starts to look good.

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад

      Building up the layers can be frustrating when you first start but 4 coats isn't much. First, did you seal the instruments? second, soft woods like spruce will need a heavy seal coat. from what ive read from your post there is noting indicating you are doing something wrong at this point. I have made a video of a 2x4 uke and the third part I make a French polish and you can see almost every coat (but it's summarized) have a look and let me know if your blochiness looks like that.. If so, keep working at it and add more to the locations that needs more. heres a link..start at 5:30 seal coat is already on and the first coat too. ruclips.net/video/vecwl-nDw8s/видео.html

    • @glennholmes9705
      @glennholmes9705 5 лет назад

      @@HovingtonInstruments Tomy, It is now 5 months since my last comment to you. Let me tell you what has happened: I put about 2-3 more coats on my guitar and I really wasn't liking the results so I sanded off the entire body finish and decided to start over again. This time with a brush and sanding between finishes. That wasn't coming out to my desires either so I again sanded the body down to bare wood and decided to give it a finish that I wanted to in the first place. A burst. Since the begining of the year I have prepared to give it a burst and I was going to use spray cans of lacquer to do this. But just yesterday I saw your video on finishing a mandolin with leather dye. Your final finish is precisely what I want only in a redder finish. I call it a "whiskey" finish because the darker part should be the color of whiskey in the bottle while fading to almost nothing in the center. I am not experimenting with the technique shown (as I see it) in your video. But keeping this to a no to low cost experiment I am using available minwax finishes already in the garage. Will this work or is Leather dye needed to do what you have done on your video?

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  5 лет назад

      Glenn Holmes hi Glenn, sorry to hear all the issues with your finishing.
      I would first advise you to do a lot of tests with the burst, whatever products you will be using. Reason being, you will not be able to sand it off if you’re not happy with it.
      As for leather dyes, I do believe they wash more easily on the high grain leaving more of a difference between low and high grain.. I have never use minwax products on a instrument so I feel ill advise to comment on your question.
      On the other hand, in a leather shop you can get a small container of dye for around $5 per colour and denatured alcohol is fairly inexpensive... but once again, practice to see how it reacts and washes off before you apply it on your instrument.
      Hope all goes well.

  • @patrickpalmer3374
    @patrickpalmer3374 3 года назад

    That's olive oil or walnut oil?

  • @Morten_Nielsen1979
    @Morten_Nielsen1979 6 лет назад

    An acoustic guitar must sound better without any lacquer/finish. I am considering to buy a cheap all solid Flamenco guitar and sand off the lacquer on the body, down to the wood, and just keep it like that, or maybe apply one layer of standard wood wax. Do you think that's a good idea? Will it give the guitar a better sound?

    • @alonsoortiz5373
      @alonsoortiz5373 6 лет назад +1

      Morten Nielsen a properly applied finish should have negligible effect on tone. That being said if you do want to remove a finish don’t sand it, strip it off much less work

    • @Morten_Nielsen1979
      @Morten_Nielsen1979 6 лет назад

      @@alonsoortiz5373 Yeah, but many of the cheap guitars have a layer of plastic lacquer as thick as a window. There is one video here on RUclips with a guy who takes it off. It changes the sound for sure, but actually both sounds have their charm, so I am not sure if the lacquer removal changes the sound for the better. I want to try it myself on a cheap lousy 12 string laminate guitar I have. How do I "strip it off"?

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад

      A cheaper guitar is not the best test though, since the instrument already is lacking good tonal property. You will most likely open up the movement of the box, by removing a thick layer of restrictive finish, but it still might not sound as good as a instrument with better tone woods. That being said, I’ve never tried it so I would be curious to hear about your findings once you are done with your process..

    • @Morten_Nielsen1979
      @Morten_Nielsen1979 6 лет назад

      @@HovingtonInstruments I think you are right. I will buy an all solid flamenco guitar and try on that one. Removing lacquer on the back and side should not have any effect on the sound. Right? So I will only remove the lacquer and paint on the top. Here is the video by another guy: ruclips.net/video/a_MO6Q1bTPo/видео.html

  • @subhamsardar1083
    @subhamsardar1083 6 лет назад

    What Oil are you using with the sand paper..?

  • @mauricebrogniez7935
    @mauricebrogniez7935 6 лет назад

    Traduction svp please fr

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад

      Je suis vraiment desoler mais je n'ai pas de temps supplementaire pour faire la traduction en ce moment . Un jour ..Peut-etre...

    • @sylvilain4506
      @sylvilain4506 6 лет назад

      salut Maurice...pour t'aider à comprendre, pourquoi ne pas utiliser les paramètres de la vidéo? mettre sous titre anglais générés automatiquement, puis traduire...et choisir...FRANCAIS! : c'est pas parfait, mais ça aide!!!!

  • @leviridge3307
    @leviridge3307 6 лет назад

    the neck on that guitar is bowed back seems not straight

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  6 лет назад

      Optical illusion. It would be unplayable if it was the case.. there is a neck angle that might make it look bowed...that’s is to allow the proper height on the arch top.. thanks for watching

  • @NeverTalkToCops1
    @NeverTalkToCops1 5 лет назад

    This is all wrong. Sanding after 8 to 10 applications of shellac means the surface was never prepared properly, but we see what you are doing here. You have such a thick coating of shellac that you sand down through several layers of shellac (not wood) to create a flat surface. It is advisable to have the surface as flat or smooth as possible before applying shellac. This may mean that the wood should have any pores filled at the start of the process. Think it through.

    • @HovingtonInstruments
      @HovingtonInstruments  5 лет назад

      The surface was prepared properly and smooth ( in no need of pore filling) one of the main reasons to sand was to even the shellac ( mostly due to some areas having more shellac than others. Although my technique is different than yours , it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong, after all the end results is what matters! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and for watching the video.