Shellac Finish on a Stansell Flamenco

Hand applied shellac . . . an alternative to French Polish Flamenco Classic Guitar construction

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Stansell
• Guitars
• Shellac
• French
• Polish
• Micro
• Mesh
• Novus
• Goh
• Kurosawa
• Golpeador

[stansellguitars]

Yes, "French Polish" is hand applied, but there are many other methods to "hand apply"a finish . . . you are on the right track. But whatever method you use, the "Flood Coats" are the foundation and the key to a solid build-up.

[YatesInstruments]

Great video! Once you've built up the body of shellac, how long do you leave it to harden before you sand it with the various grades of micro mesh?

[stansellguitars]

@YatesInstruments . . . around two weeks in a climate controlled environment before Micro-Mesh and Novus polish . . . then 6 months to a year later, after the shellac has fully cured, do it again . . . or live with the micro crazing.

[1102etienne]

Couple of questions - what shellac cut are you using and what kind of flakes? Certainly looks easier than French polish. Not entirely clear about what materials you are using to apply the shellac? start with a brush for a seal coat and then to some kind of dauber or padding, but not using the pad like a french polishing 'rubber'. Clarify?

That's some might fine grade sand paper :-)

[stansellguitars]

@1102etienne I suppose I should write and publish an in depth article on my approach and techniques of this process. In the meantime, feel free to contact me directly for more info . . .

. . . that's "Micro-Mesh" . . . a 'no load' abrasive cloth ranging from 1500 to 12000 grit . . .

[stansellguitars]

@1102etienne Not sure of the cut . . .the goal is to penetrate but still have "body" . . . around the consistency (to slightly thinner) of whole milk. For my pad, I use worn cotton wrapped around a flat absorbent material. And to be clear, I am not an expert on French Polish. I developed this alternative method as a result of my frustration with traditional French Polish technique. It works for me and holds up very well over time and I am always being complimented on my "French Polish" finish.

[daddyguitar]

Traditional french polish finish its really difficult but the result of your alternative is absolutely astonishing! And it's also the fastest way to achive an amazing result! I'll try it on the next guitar!

[daddyguitar]

The greatest thing is that there is no need of oil! It's awesome!

[daddyguitar]

The goal is to "soak" the guitar in shellac using the brush and than apply two ore three more coats with the muneca always using "fat shellac cut"(like we say in Italy for shellac cut with less alchool).

It is the same if the pore filling is done with be-component rosins, for example, and not with the "fload coats"? I've got an acoustic guitar(rosin pore filler and white dewaxed shellac) waiting for the polishing and I wander if I can use this method!

[daddyguitar]

The title says: Hand applied shellac . . . an alternative to French Polish.

But French Polish is hand applied!

Your method of shellac finishing is awesome, so if I use regular shellac(standard shellac or unwaxed white shellac) and build up the finishing, i realy just need to sand it trough 12000 grit and than apply polish? It amazing!

[Txikibuda]

Music by Goh Kurosawa. The second one is "Jovka Kumanovka" from his album "Before Sunset"

[Txikibuda]

Love the music too! any help on that?

[Kentuckable]

Amazing video and work !!!

Could you tell me who is playing in the background?

Best,

Mario

[Denvermorgan2000]

Wonderfull thats what i call nice!