Why does my polishing rubber lose its shape?

Why does my French polishing rubber lose its shape?

This is a good question; well this is something I come across regarding miss shaped polishing rubbers all the time whilst teaching French polishing.

Well, there are various reasons as to why this happens, mainly I think it is due to too much pressure being applied whilst in use because if too much pressure is used the rubber tends to swash up and then becomes a mess and the point of the rubber disappears alongside the smooth rubber surface essential for a good even finish.

Also, many people do not spend enough time to perfect the correct rubber shape, and therefore seem to have great difficulty in ever doing so.

To make a good polishing rubber you will need a handful of clean cotton wool, not several pieces squashed together in a ball as they will soon start to move around within your rubber and be unsuited for the task.

Next use some clean I prefer white cotton sheeting as a covering, then you will need to as I am right-handed place the cotton wool in your left hand then charge with some French polish and a little Methylated spirits, then place the rag over the cotton wool and try to make into a half pear shape by folding the rag neatly over at the back on the right-hand side to form a straight seam down the middle and then with the left-hand side rag just clasp the folded rags together at the back of the rubber and twist them together tightly and then fold them up and over at the top of the rubber-like a scorpion tail that way you can use the folded rag to hold the rubber firmly in the palm of your hand.

When you have finished with your rubber don’t just leave it to lay around on the workbench as I have seen done many times now where it will pick up dirt and also dry out from the Methylated spirits having evaporated out.

Store your rubber in an airtight container when you have finished with it and that way it should last for a considerable time.

Before you use your rubber you must bang out the residue polish, and the way I do this is to have some clean white paper ready then all I do is just press the rubber surface onto the white paper very gently and that will remove the excess polish rather than apply straight the wooden surface and risk over wetting the surface.

Another good tip is when you have finished with your rubber for the day open the white rag on your rubber and apply some Methylated spirits reshape the rubber and store it away until the next time you need it.

This will keep the rubber from drying out however, you must ensure that you squeeze all of the excess Methylated spirits out prior to use if you don’t remove the spirits and apply straight onto your polished surface it could and most probably would burn/melt the previous French polish so please be careful.

A useful tip for you!

To be used for practice use only.

To help you whilst practising making your rubber and to avoid getting French polish and Methylated spirits on your hands and then having to put up with the nasty smell.

All you have to do is, charge the cotton wool within the rubber with water and then continue to make the correct shape.