The ultimate finish for fine classical guitars The major advantage of French polish is that its thinness has a negligible damping effect on the sound of the guitar. French polish is non-toxic, eco-friendly, extremely beautiful and has a wonderful perfume. It will not peel off, is flexible and, unlike other finishes, can be very easily retouched or restored to its original splendour. It is however quite delicate and can easily deteriorate if not cared for properly.

How best to care for a French polish finish
• Never use commercial polishes or cleaning agents to clean French polish. Use a fine, cotton cloth to wipe the finish when necessary.

• The greatest enemy of a French polish finish is body heat and perspiration. This will dull the finish and eventually wear through to the bare wood if contact is repeated and prolonged. Contact of bare skin with the finish can best be avoided by wearing an arm sock or long sleeved clothing when playing the guitar.

• When changing strings, the soundboard should be protected with a carboard mask placed around the bridge area. By burning a ball onto the end of the treble strings, these can be prevented from slipping and damaging the soundboard.

• Have the guitar finish periodically retouched by a qualified luthier in order to avoid wearing through to the bare wood.