Friction Polish – Chestnut Products

Woodturning Friction Polish

Achieve a high gloss finish quickly and easily with Friction Polish, suitable for both on and off-lathe application.

Friction Polish, a shellac-based polish, is ideally suited for creating a high gloss finish on turned wood, whether you’re working directly on the lathe or by hand. It is particularly effective as a decorative finish for smaller projects. While applicable to larger items, achieving a uniform finish on pieces exceeding approximately 8 inches in diameter can present challenges when using a lathe.

The high shellac content in Friction Polish effectively seals bare wood and produces a desirable shine. However, fluctuations in shellac commodity prices have impacted the cost of this exceptional woodturning finish. A past shellac crop failure caused prices to rise sharply, and they have not fully returned to previous levels.

Despite price adjustments, Friction Polish remains a popular choice for turners seeking a professional-quality woodturning finish. While it can be applied directly to bare wood, it is typically used over a sealer. Sealers from the Chestnut Products range are highly compatible and recommended for optimal results.

When applied with the lathe running, Friction Polish dries almost instantly, allowing for a rapid build-up to a deep, rich shine. To prevent the formation of visible rings on the surface, apply the polish sparingly.

Friction Polish can also be applied off the lathe, mimicking the technique of French polishing. This method requires more manual effort, but the resulting high gloss finish is exceptionally rewarding. Though we do not supply the “elbow grease” required for this method, the effort is well worth the professional result.

500ml