French Polishing Course

Students will receive lecture, demonstration and hands-on experience with French Polish finishing technique. Course emphasis is on the use of traditional materials, and learning the historical information and techniques necessary to apply an  ‘old world’ French Polish to a premade ukulele body. Students will receive a ukulele kit to apply the finish and will keep the kit for future use.

On the first day students will receive all materials, ukulele kit, shellac mixture, cotton pad, mineral oil, alcohol and steel wool. They will learn to use the bottles and all techniques that are used in the process of French Polishing an instrument. The instructor will demonstrate, and have each student apply a ‘wash coat’ and multiple ‘top coats’ of shellac.  The second day, students will apply final coats and learn scuffing and hand buffing techniques. Cost of workshop includes an instrument kit and all material used in workshop (Ukulele kit, shellac flakes, alcohol, pad material, mineral oil and steel wool).

Cost of workshop includes an instrument kit and all material used in workshop (shellac flakes, alcohol, pad material, olive oil, eye droppers, salt shakers, sand paper, etc.).

Your instructor for this course will be Robert Mazzullo with 30 years’ experience in lutherie.