Thank you for your enquiry, this sounds like a difficult
one, however, I shall try and answer it for you!
You say you have “Grabbing of the rubber on the surface”
Well this sounds to me like your polish is far too thick, you should and I
would suggest, that you thin the polish from what I assume is purchased
French polish by 25% with Methylated spirits, as this will help the French
polish to flow through the rag more evenly.
Or perhaps you have thinned your French polish out too
much? Which is causing the surface to melt the French polish on which you are
trying to apply?
Another cause could be that you are not using linseed
oil? I have tried other oils and I always come back to Linseed oil as this
gives me the best result.
You say that you have “Changed your rag etc.” And I hope
you are using wadding inside?
Another point is always to use the best quality white sheeting
you can buy as this will give you a superior finish.
When you polish you should be able to see the width of
the rubber showing in the oil streaks as you build up the finish, if you are
not seeing these oil trails as you use your rubber then you are not using
enough oil.
Or it could be that you are applying too much pressure
whilst French polishing? This is another cause for the dragging effect.
French polishing must be carried out in a warm
environment this is not always possible here in the UK as we have such cold
days and like my workshop, it is often freezing cold and therefore very
difficult to French polish in.
How to remedy this well you will need to have adequate
heating throughout all the polishing stages and then continue to keep the
furniture warm whilst it is drying especially overnight in a cold damp climate
like England.
I am not sure as to how much experience you have as a
French polisher? These problems arise
once in a while and can drive us mad as I know only too well.
Make a brand new rubber from scratch using new cotton
wool and the best white rag you can get hold of nylon is useless for French
polishing.
Always store your rubber in an airtight container when
not in use, I would suggest that you change the white rag on your rubber more
frequently, as the surface becomes clogged and over oiled and this stops the
French polish from passing through the rag and onto the surface, and therefore
a poorly finished surface is all you will be left with.
My last thoughts on this topic are that you could have
purchased a bad batch of French polish?
Check to see if the manufacturers have had any problems or complaints
from other French polishers? Or you may have kept your polish for far too
long? And as a result, the mixture has
become useless.
I hope I Have answered all of your questions? And that I have been of some help to you?
Thank you for taking the time to read my Blogs I
really appreciate it.
Regards, Andrew.
Feedback is most welcome!
