Shellac finish on a small irregular object

bragowood | Posted in Finishing on October 17, 2019 02:24pm

Hi guys,

I am creating calligraphy pen holders (see the photos attached), and want to finish them with shellac to get the high gloss and to seal my wire inlay to prevent tarnishing. Since these objects are small and tend to have many irregular shapes, which method of applying shellac finish would you recommend?

Thanks in advance

Replies

_mj_ | Oct 18, 2019 07:00am | #1
To me irregular=spray or wipe on. I would do some serious testing of how your inks interact with potential finish choices. Shellac does not do well when wet, so a water based ink might bleed through and stain the holders.
bragowood | Oct 18, 2019 07:54am | #2
Thanks MJ,
would you maybe recommend some other finish for this kind of handheld object?
_mj_ | Oct 18, 2019 09:47am | #3
Make up some samples and run tests. Put on a full multicoat finish, wait for complete cure and see if your inks wash off. I would topcoat with a film finish over anything penetrating if you are oiling or staining to start.
bragowood | Oct 18, 2019 10:16am | #4
Any film finish in particular?
chipsawdust | Oct 18, 2019 10:51am | #5
I'd start with whatever stain you want to use, if any, then spray with lacquer. I use lacquer as a topcoat on certain pieces that may get wet as it resists far better than shellac. I love shellac for table legs and vertical surfaces, but for anything horizontal that might get a coffee cup set on it, or something damp, I top with something more durable.
macanbard | Oct 20, 2019 11:34pm | #6
My first choice for this use would be a couple coats of wipe-on shellac (light sand with 600 grit in-between) followed be a couple coats of wipe-on polyurethane.