French polising

I have an old 50's or 40's style table that needs redoing. I was thinking it may have been french pollished. Is it difficult to do? Is it just a case of sanding or removing the old polish and then putting some more on? thanks Informer

If methylated spirits dissolves the finish, it's probably french polish. You can sometimes use it to revive those finishes

Remove the old polish with meths. If it is a nice table get it done professionally.

If you wish to diy it, then the problem is that it is too easy, and confidence is the clue to completing it successfully.

Read up on how to do it. Get the applicator correctly sorted, pour the stuff on and spread it out. Job done!

If you mess it up, simply use meths to dissolve it and try again.

Having said that, I bet you will be taking it to a pro to see him spend two minutes doing it and wincing as he empties your wallet. :))

Or read up the subject at

You don't even need to do that.

Try first off a pad of cotton wool doused in surgical spirit and rubbed all over. That will dissolve what's there and re-distribute it.

If that gets back to an even colour, just wax over it once its dried.

Unlikely. Post WW1 and "typical domestic quality" is more likely to be a lacquer, probably cellulose.

Either way, there's any amoung of information on usenet (rec.woodworking) , the web or in books (Bennett's antique restoration is about the best, but there's any number on just finishes). French polish is easiest to re-work because you don't need to strip it entirely first. For lacquers though, you probably are going to be sanding.