I am using shellac to finish a reproduction walnut blanket stand. This is my first attempt at using shellac and after 2 coats I’m liking it.
I notice that it is a bit tricky to get smooth results with the china bristle brush I’m using. The piece has lots of small frame members and turnings, so it’s easy to get little ridges on corners and edges. Since I’m sanding down between coats this is not an insurmountable problem, but as I approach the final coats it will be more of a problem. I’m using about a 2# cut of shellac.
Would I be better off wiping on the final coats with a clean cotton rag? I was thinking of reducing to about a 1# cut and applying very thin applications.
Does someone have any experience wiping versus brushing they might want to share with me?
Thanks
Sam
Replies
Generally, the finer the bristle the better your luck. White china is a little more fine over black. Ox hair works reasonably well, badger is the cat's meow. The other consideration is how fast shellac can dry on you. Too fast, and no brush will make you happy. Theres a recent thread on this of some volume that may be useful if you run into that. I don't want you to think I'm well versed in wiping. I'm not. I've tried it a couple of times and decided that I like brushing better. Failing that, shellac sprays pretty well (on horizontal surfaces) if you play around with the gun first. I use a touchup gun, and the fan size I keep fairly wide. This also might be a good excuse to teach yourself the method of french polishing. Practice on something else first. Maybe I'm slow, but I tried it over and over before the day finally came where I just "got it" as to how the pad needs to feel going over the surface. Like learning to ride a bike. You'll get some bruises along the way, then it just clicks.
You will get much better results, either way, brushing or wiping if you thin the shellac excessively with alcohol and applying several coats.
Stephen Shepherd
And, using very dilute shellac, perhaps adding just a hint of oil to a pad barely moistened with the shellac, using a french polishing motion, you will put down the most beautiful finish known to woodworking. Many applications, very thin new layers, all of which disolve the existing layer below and blend into one beautiful film.
Rich
Edited 10/13/2002 3:47:55 PM ET by Rich Rose
I like to put my last coat on by wiping a thinned coat. I do the same with poly or varnish. Start with wiping on a thinned coat and finish with wiping on a thinned coat. Depending on how much protection or build you want, you can brush on any number of coats in between, not as thinned or not thinned at all. I certainly don't do high end stuff, but for me, this is a much easier way to get a more problem free final finish.
Thanks for the info on the finishes. For some reason I thought that a 3# cut is better as you built up the coats, but seems like the thinner the better. I was getting streaks every so often that were difficult to get out and was about to switch finishes. I really like the way shellac brings out the depth of the wood. I'll give the one pound cut a try and see how it works. Thanks again.
Marcello
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