Q:

I’d like to spray shellac for a finish, but I don’t have an explosion-proof spray booth. Can I do it outside?

Ernie Ruxton, Twin Falls, ID

A:

You can spray shellac or any flammable finish outside, but pick a day with moderate temperature (55° to 75° F) and humidity (under 70%), and find a shaded spot with no direct sunlight. You should avoid strong winds, but some air movement—whether from a light breeze or a box fan—will prevent overspray from landing on the piece.

Even if you do have a suitable environment for spraying, there are a few potential problems to guard against. When sprayed, shellac’s solvent, denatured alcohol, dries so quickly that it can prevent the shellac from “flowing out” correctly. It also can lead to a rough or grainy finish because the shellac partially dries by the time it hits the surface. Avoid both problems by using denatured alcohol with a low methanol content, such as Behlen Behkol.

Check the label. You can identify low-methanol denatured alcohol by its lack of a “poison” warning.

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