Hello, <!—-><!—-><!—->
I am planning to make a hand-mirror from zebrawood for a Christmas present. Does anyone have suggestions on finishing? <!—-> <!—->
Since zebrawood is so porous and the object is something that will be handled I think that it needs to be filled. My current thought is to “fill” it using successive coats of super-blond shellac and then finishing out with a few coats of wiping vanish. Maybe I should use poly for more protection, since it will most likely end up in the bathroom with all the attendant chemicals, potions, and lotions. <!—-><!—->
Any thoughts would be appreciated. <!—-><!—->
Thanks in advance, <!—-><!—->
Steve in <!—-><!—-><!—->Dallas <!—-><!—-><!—-> <!—->
P.S. As for the hand mirror pattern – I am winging it… so if someone has access to a great pattern, I would be interested in knowing about that as well. <!—-><!—->
Replies
I agree that using successive coats of shellac is a good method of filling Zebrawood. Dedicated fillers color the pores, and could only be a proper match half the time.
I assume the wiping varnish you refer to is made with a traditional resin. Any oil based varnish can be thinned to be a wiping varnish. If enough coats are applied, these should protect from the problems you mentioned quite admirably. Polyurethane's protective benefits are superior mostly with respect to abrasion and heat resistence, neither of which are a factor with a hand mirror.
Thanks for the reply Steve.
So, I guess that shellac filler is how I will proceed. I am planning on using General Finishes Arm-R-Seal as a top coat since it seems that a wipe-on finish would be easier to apply to an odd shaped object.
Steve in Dallas
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