Is Zinsser Seal coat softer than shellac made from flakes?
Quickstep
| Posted in General Discussion on
Like many people, I like Zinsser seal coat for the convenience. I seem to have noticed that it’s more prone to make pills or corns on the sandpaper than the shellac I have mixed fresh from flakes. Has anyone else noticed this?
Replies
Might get more responses if you posted this on the Finishing Forum.
The Seal Coat is treated to make it last longer in the can. That might somewhat slow down the total hardening of the shellac. Give it 24 hours before sanding and you should be OK.
Another point, if you are using non-dewaxed flake shellac, it will be easier to sand. The wax sort of lubricates the surface when sanding.
One factor is the age of the shellac. When you mix from flakes it is very fresh, seldom more than a few weeks old.
You seldom can buy Seal Coat several months old. So even though 6 month old Seal Coat may be more usable than 6 month old shellac from flakes, you are comparing 1 week old from flakes to 5 month old from Seal Coat.
I use Zinsser Bulls Eye SealCoat all the time. It is the Wax Free stuff...
I use my 'old' cans thinned with Alcohol for the first application. I apply a wash coat as thin as possible. I buff out with the 3M gray/grey pads. I never use steel wool. I like Bronze Wool but the 3M pads are alot less expensive.
I have to admit that I'm not good at finishing with any product.. period... I really do not like doing it. But, as a wood worker I have to do it! Dang... Why I usually use Bulls Eye SealCoat, oils and sometimes a poly finish. I usually only finish off with wax...
NOTE: I apply the 'oil' first and then put on the shellac... I love the look of the wood with only OIL on it... But sometimes I need to go a bit further...
I will also get some "pills or corns on the sandpaper" when using the Zinsser sealcoat full strength. I think it has more to do with humidity in the room during application and drying time.
Sort of like painting a large ceiling or wall with a primer.. A bummer if the humidity is 'up there'...
Not sure if any help but I put a 'bit' of Alcohol in a cup and dab my 3M pads into it as I sand? with them.. Seems to work for me? Been known to use wet/dry fine grit automotive sandpaper with some Winsor & Newton Artisan water mixable oil (fast drying medium kind) with a bit of TransTint dye (color) when finishing off.
"pills or corns on the sandpaper" come with the trade? Not sure, but probably very possible!
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