French polishing is a
wood finishing technique that results in a very high gloss surface, with a deep colour and
chatoyancy. French polishing consists of applying many thin coats of
shellac dissolved in alcohol using a rubbing pad lubricated with oil. The rubbing pad is made of absorbent cotton or wool cloth
wadding inside a square piece of fabric (usually soft cotton cloth) and is commonly referred to as a
fad, also called a rubber,
tampon, or , Spanish for "rag doll".