Replies

1. 
   desertrat | Jan 24, 2005 06:40pm | #1

   Yes, lightly sand the shellac and shoot away.

2. 
   Rich14 | Jan 24, 2005 06:52pm | #2

   Rand,

   Shellac is much more water resistant than it's generally given credit for. But, yes lacquer is much more resistant to alcohol. You should use dewaxed shellac if lacquer will be your final finish.

   If you have already used shellac with wax, get some ultra-blond dewaxed, apply one or 2 thin coats to "seal in" the wax, then a thin lacquer coat for final protection.

   Rich

3. 
   Pondfish | Jan 24, 2005 07:54pm | #3

   Lacquer over shellac is a fine finish.  Use the shellac as as a sanding sealer and to get a smooth finish before applying lacquer.

   I've heard that you should only use dewaxed shellac under lacquer, but others have told me it doesn't make a difference.  Since I tend to only use dewaxed shellacs, I can't say one way or the other which is "more" correct.

   Shellac is a nice environmentally safe finish, and easy to repair, but it also requires more repairs and is not good for anything that might get exposed to alcohol or even water.  For those reasons, I don't use it as a top coat for anything.

1. 
   SgianDubh | Jan 24, 2005 08:25pm | #4

   Paul, nitro-cellulose lacquers will go over ordinary shellac. However, in my experience dewaxed shellac is safe under any other film forming finish. Slainte.RJFurniture