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I just bought a bottle of the new Zinnser French Polish. I'm wondering if any of you have used this on an instrument? I've used their Seal Coat and it worked OK but it could have gone better. Any experiance to report?
Mike Mahar38515.3910532407

Mike, I've used it, but only on necks and bridges. I haven't tried to finish an entire instrument with it.

I was having trouble with the combination of stain and filler I was using on necks not drying properly after applying the nitro finish coats. This left the finish kinda soft. I started using the "French Polish" after my stain and voila, the nitro no longer stays soft. The shellac makes a great sealer.

I also use it on my bridges. I just rub on several coats, using steel wool in between. Then when it has dried for a few days I take it to the buffer and shine it up a little. To me, it looks better than a raw wood bridge sitting on top of all that shiny lacquer.

Let me know if I can give you any more info.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Mike I tested it shortly after the first formula release. It works quite well but the oil is already in the mix and I had rather it wasn't. For this reason I prefer to FP with the Zinnser's Sanding Sealer. Purists will be up set with me but I have used it and have melted my own flakes. I like the amber tint of the Zinnser's Sanding Sealer gives over that of extra blond flakes. Of course I could mix in some more amber flakes and get the tint I like but the convenience of pre mix 100% wax free is nice and the Zinnser's Sanding Sealer stays good for longer. Plus I use the Zinnser's Sanding Sealer for seal coats on lacquer finishes as well so one product serves two functions.

I have used the Zinsser Bullseye shellac and sealer. It is a three pound cut and I applied it right out of the can with a foam brush. Three coats is enough to get a good build. From there you can dilute it and French polish the traditional way. Another way is to let the three coats cure and then buff to a high gloss on a wheel or by hand. You can even rub it out to a satin. I have had very good results this way and the high gloss on the buffing wheel came out particularly nice. BEWARE: It is not dewaxed and therefore should be avoided for a seal coat but does fine for a finish by itself.    

OOPS I have been saying Zinnser's Sanding Sealer. I should have been saying Seal Coat(universial sanding sealer) it is 100% dewaxed check it out at www.zinsser.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=72

As I said in my initial post, I've been using Seal Coat for some time. What I'm curious about is their new product that is explicitly called French Polish. The instructions on the bottle describe an application process that is only vaguely like the french polish I know. Has anybody used it on an instrument?

Several of you don't like the oil pre-mixed but didn't say why. What were the physical effects on the resulting finish from having the oil pre-mixed?Mike Mahar38516.5915625

The French Polish is the product I was referring to in my previous post. Works ok for me.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Yes mike I did one last year. That is what I ment when I said I tested it right after the release. It build a nice film. The thing I don't like is that the Oil is in the mix. But I think I am probably just being picky.

[QUOTE=MichaelP] Yes mike I did one last year. That is what I ment when I said I tested it right after the release. It build a nice film. The thing I don't like is that the Oil is in the mix. But I think I am probably just being picky.[/QUOTE]

How has the finish held up? Did you french polish until it was real shiney or did you gloss it up on the buffer?

I've also got a can of KTM-9 jumping up and down on the shelf saying "Try me! Try me!". I know that the neck will be french polished because I love the feel. I think I plunge in and try the KTM-9. (Cover me boys! I'm goin' in!)

It polishes as good as any.After all the final film is shellac. I let mine harden for a week. But I always do.

Mike I bet you love the KTM9. very easy to work with.