Hello,
I need some advice on removing two coats of garnet shellac (2 lb and 1.5 lb cut coats, respectively) from a cherry hardwood display cabinet. I brushed on two coats and the finish is too “orange” – had hoped for a darker reddish brown finish.
What is the best way to remove the shellac and start over? Will probably stain the piece first and apply clear shellac as second step, not the first.
Sincere thanks for the advice,
Brian
Replies
Try a piece of burlap (or perhaps a Scotch-Brite pad), and some denatured alcohol to remove the shellac from the surface of the wood. Watch out for drips and runs.
You may have to scrape or sand to remove coloration that's in the pores.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Another option might be to add another coat of shellac tinted with a proper color to "neutralize" some of the orange. You'd have to check a color wheel as I don't know colors that well.
A practice piece or two of the same type of wood would be recommended regardless of the approach you take.
Blue neutralizes orange.The way to remember is the color opposite is the remainder of the primary colors {red, yellow, blue} that are not there. Since orange is red+yellow, add blue. Similarly, if too much red, add blue+yellow (green), etc.Or you can remember mnemonics:
Red - green (Christmas)
Yellow - violet (Easter)
Orange - blue (Fighting Illini!)
Edited 7/9/2006 4:49 pm ET by byhammerandhand
Shellac is easy to remove with denatured alcohol. Personally I use steel wool to remove it. But you may want to reconsider staining before shellacking. The cherry may "blotch". Do a wet test when your shellac is removed. Wipe it down with more alcohol or mineral spirits.
Gretchen - what number steel wool do you use?
For my refinishing I use 000. I open it out into its long piece in order to get the most use from the pad. You will not have much to remove at all comparatively, and it will be "clean". Dip the wool in the clean denatured alcohol and wipe well. Wipe off with a pad of paper towel dipped in the alcohol and repeat. When you have gotten as much off as possible, get a clean container of alcohol and do it again. You don't want to just smear it around. Do it until no color comes off. Be sure to check corners where it can collect--it will be noticeable when you do your finish.
Follow Gretchen's advise. Alcohol will dissolve shellac and make it easy to remove. Use the 3/0 steel wool or a gray scotchbrite pad. Use plenty of paper towels to wipe off the dissolved shellac.
Now let me suggest that before you re-finish, test your plans on some scrap material or in an inconspicuous spot. Never let your project be your learning experience or test case.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled