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Is there a general rule of thumb for finish compatability?
For instance, can you spray lacquer over an oil finished piece and have it adhere? Can you apply a top coat of oil over a spray lacquered finish? How about poly?
Of course, I realize one should be consistent with the finish you start with, but some of my older projects need touch-up coats and I can’t always remember what finish I originally used.
What’s the formula, if any?
Thanks,
Mike
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Hi Mike,
I'm not an expert on this but here goes. If you want a definitive answer I suggest asking Jeff Jewitt.
You can put any topcoat over shellac - water based, lacquer, oil based. Water based, lacquer, or oil based can go over a water-based product. Lacquer or oil based, over lacquer. Oil based over oil. Straight oil should go onto raw wood - what's the point otherwise.
Supposedly you can put some of the new catalyzed finishes over oil but I've never tried it and am dubious. In that vain, supposedly you can sandwich shellac between finished to cause them to adhere. But I've never tried that either.
Best,
Kim Carleton Graves
Carleton Woodworking
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