re-fin advice

[Adrian Levi]

I am once again in need of some advice .

This is a full size French bass of mine with finish stripped off . I got the bass with an orangey ugly re-varnish job and decided to strip it and have it refinished .

Now there is the original color on the headstock and on the heel as in the pic .I have been told that it is definitely a French Polish finish .
I'm interested in any advice on what route to take as far as deciding on finish type etc , i.e. what a pro would choose in these circumstances?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Adrian Levi

I am once again in need of some advice .

This is a full size French bass of mine with finish stripped off . I got the bass with an orangey ugly re-varnish job and decided to strip it and have it refinished .

Now there is the original color on the headstock and on the heel as in the pic .I have been told that it is definitely a French Polish finish .
I'm interested in any advice on what route to take as far as deciding on finish type etc , i.e. what a pro would choose in these circumstances?

French Polish is usually a technique used to smooth out a finish or the varnish, not the actual finish. You can finish wood with just French polish but it wont give you as much protection as Varnish will. By the way, who told you this?

Buy a few finishing books. It will be cheaper than doing things over several times. Your bass will thank you later. Study first, Finish later!

[Adrian Levi]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

French Polish is usually a technique used to smooth out a finish or the varnish, not the actual finish. You can finish wood with just French polish but it wont give you as much protection as Varnish will. By the way, who told you this?

Buy a few finishing books. It will be cheaper than doing things over several times. Your bass will thank you later. Study first, Finish later!

A local luthier claimed that he 'tested' the finish and that it was french polished !!

Anyway I'll definitely study first before touching the bass with a brush /I'm in no hurry .
Out of interest what finish would you use if you had the choice ?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Adrian Levi

A local luthier claimed that he 'tested' the finish and that it was french polished !!

Anyway I'll definitely study first before touching the bass with a brush /I'm in no hurry .
Out of interest what finish would you use if you had the choice ?

First off, I would like to see the bass and make sure it's French as you claim.

Then, Arnold has had many of these thru his shop. If your bass is French, ask him what type of Varnish is usual on them, Spirit or Oil. French polish is usually not considered a finish but has been used including on furniture. He is currently working on my Jacquet and touching it up. He would be able to guide you much better than I can.

[Adrian Levi]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

First off, I would like to see the bass and make sure it's French as you claim.

Then, Arnold has had many of these thru his shop. If your bass is French, ask him what type of Varnish is usual on them, Spirit or Oil. French polish is usually not considered a finish but has been used including on furniture. He is currently working on my Jacquet and touching it up. He would be able to guide you much better than I can.

Ok Ken here are the pics ......

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Adrian, decide whether you want to finish in spirit or oil varnish. Make certain there is not a single open crack or seam on the entire bass! Strip the rest of the bass, because you will never match it. Oil varnish is easier to apply, but is much slower; spirit is more difficult to apply, but is much faster. When applying oil varnish you should wear a respirator. As far as durability, oil varnish is more flexible and chips less. Spirit is easier to build quickly and to touch up. You can't go wrong with the products by Hammerl; over here they are sold by International Violin and Metropolitan Music. Any oil varnish you buy will require some thinning. Hammerl's tints work well, and mix right into the varnish, but plan on 10-20 coats to get to the color you want. Buy the best brushes you can find and take great care of them. As the saying goes, "It takes 10 years to make a good violin-maker, then he spends the rest of his life figuring out how to varnish the damn things". Good luck.