I built a little cabinet out of maple, and I finished it with shellac. I would like to try rubbing it out with an automotive polishing compound and complete the project with a wax. What are some of the better products/brands to use for this application? I am happy to take any suggestions on technique, etc. that you may have. Thank you all in advance.
Cheers
Kyle
Replies
Kyle,
I'm probably wrong...but I think the automotive polishes start at somewhere around the 2000 grit level and go up from there. I will start rubbing out shellac as low as 220 W/D grit with a spritz of water.....working up to 2000 grit. It seems to me you'll need to use W/D before you do the automotive thing. I have not tried any automotive products yet.
Either 3M or Meguires are excellent. I use 3M. Wet sand to at least 1500. I generally start at 600, but you can start at 400 if you take great care not to cut through. Don't use water or oil. Use odorless mineral spirits. Doesn't foul things up if you cut through and it dries faster. Make sure to wait a couple weeks after the last coat of shellac. It might look dry, but isn't. Start with swirl mark remover. Then hand rubbing compound, then glazing compound. 3M also has a silicone-free "show car" wax. Very good stuff. Can easily get a mirror finish with shellac.
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