French polish looks after the timber for a long time if you look after it. The rules are simple, and most of them are about keeping heat, water, alcohol and the wrong products away from the shellac. This is the care advice we give after our French polishing jobs in Sydney.
Everyday cleaning
Dust with a soft, dry cloth. A cotton cloth is enough. For a sticky mark, use a cloth that is only slightly damp with water, then dry the spot straight away. That is all a French polished surface needs day to day.
Heat, water and alcohol
Shellac is the finish most likely to mark from heat, water and alcohol, so these are the three to watch.
- Heat: use trivets and mats under hot dishes, mugs and laptops. Heat leaves a white ring in the finish.
- Water: use coasters under glasses and vases, and wipe spills straight away. Water left on the surface turns the finish cloudy, and in time it can reach the timber.
- Alcohol: wine, spirits, perfume and hand sanitiser all contain alcohol, and alcohol dissolves shellac. Wipe any spill at once with a dry cloth, without rubbing.
Sun, heaters and air conditioning
Direct sun fades the timber and dries out the finish. Keep French polished pieces out of strong sun, or close the blinds in the brightest part of the day. Keep them away from heaters and air conditioning vents too. Fast changes in heat and humidity make timber move, and that can crack the finish.
Products to avoid
| Do not use | Why |
|---|---|
| Spray polish | Most contain silicone. It builds up a film that makes the finish smeary and stops later repairs from bonding |
| Multi-purpose sprays and wipes | Many contain alcohol, ammonia or solvents that soften shellac |
| Oils and hardware store varnish | They sit on top of the shellac and have to be stripped before any repair |
| Scourers and abrasive cloths | They scratch the finish and leave dull patches |
If you want extra protection on top of the shellac, ask us first which product suits your piece.
When it gets marked
Marks happen, and on French polish most of them can be repaired without stripping the piece. What you do in the first few minutes helps.
- Wipe the spill or lift the hot item off. Do not rub the spot.
- Leave it alone. Do not try toothpaste, an iron or a hairdryer on shellac.
- Take a photo in daylight, with a coin for scale, and one of the whole piece.
Send us the photos and we reply with a fixed written quote within one business day. Our guide on whether French polish can be repaired explains what we can fix on site.
