Thread: Spraying French Polish

Originally Posted by fanlee

Hi.

While browsing the polishers' handbook i noticed french polish is sprayable by conventional or airless equipment (p 37)

Has anyone got a flash point for french polish? eg the u beaut version.

I'd hate to go up because of a spark from the airless.... )

A few things spring to mind, firstly, French Polish is the colloquial name for shellac mixed with methalyted spirits to a solution, regardless of its origin/supplier. I normally mix my own from flake shellac and meths.

Truthfully speaking French Polishing is a traditional wood polishing process rather than the actual solution/finish product.

In terms of the flash point for "french polish solution" it is that of metho, as determined by the atmospheric temperature and humidity conditions. Metho itself flash dries fast under normal atmospheric conditions. It is of course volatile (hence it flashes fast) and as such one always needs to be careful re exposure to sparks/flames. However, spray finishing such solutions I doubt should be any more risky than say spray painting using solvent based spray paints.

Would I spray finish "french polish solution"............never, for that defeats the very purpose of using this finish. It is all about the hand application of it and working with the wood.

I spray it all the time with no problems and I know others that have been doing it for years, I use a HVLP sprayer. It's like any finish that is sprayed that is not water based or you would not have a car with nice paint, you simply can't spray it whilst smoking or with an open flame in the area. yes, I hear it's about the process but if they could have sprayed it back in the 19th century you can bet they would have.


SB