I’m about ready to finish some frame and panel doors I made. They’re going to be shellacked, and I’m wondering how cold it can be before I won’t be able to satisfactorily finish them. I know shellac can be used at temperatures below most other finishes. And I also know it’s about 10 degrees in the garage now… Any have experience using shellac in the cold? Thanks, Matt
Replies
I took an online class on French Polishing (U of Colorado) in the middle of winter (But I was in FLA). It was about 40 or so in my garage when I did the class and I had no problems with it at that temperature. It is only Denatured alcohol so I would suggest maybe bring it inside and finish it in a hallway? You wipe or brush it on and it will flash dry in minutes.. then let it rest in the garage and you can sand the nubs down.. then lug it back in and finish it. I remember being that cold as a kid but never again! good luck. with it.
Rich
I think the shellac would work at such a temperature, but I sure never would.
Shellac is a an evaporative finish. Temperature basically has no affect on evaporation. I have used shellac in below freezing conditions and I just give it about double the time before re-coating. Two hours should be enough.
Test it on some scrap. Time how long it takes to dry.
Thanks guys, I was hoping I'd be able to give it a try but I figured I should ask those who've done it before first. I'll post back with how it turns out.
Matt
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