Refinishing a top for a side table. The lady asked me to do just the top because the base is quite ornate and it was only the top thatwas needing work. I agreed because it was just a matter of sanding the top shellac..which was easy..and putting a new top coat on it. SO I sanded it to bare wood, wiped it down and put satin Poly over ther top…the poly doesnt seem to want to spread out unless I force it by brushing it frequently. The shellac is gone…I cant sand any more becuause of the veneer. What is going on?
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Sounds like there is some sort of contamination on the surface. Has the item ever had a supermarket "polish" like Pledge applied?
Sanding will not remove many types of contamination. Silicone is a primary ingrediant in many supermarket polishes.
Old shellac probably contained it's natural wax. Poly varnish has poor adhesion and should not be applied over wax containing shellac. Again, sanding will not remove the shellac that penetrates into the pores of the wood.
At this point I would suggest you use a chemical paint stripper containing methylene chloride and remove all the finish from the top. Then buy a couple fo cans of Zinnser Spray Can shellac. This is a completely dewaxed shellac. Apply two overlapping coats without sanding before or after. Once the shellac is dry, you can apply your clear coat. Let me suggest that a non-poly varnish would give you nicer looking finish.
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