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mixing Shellac from flakes

mixing Shellac from flakes (post #169644)

LFB on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 12:54

Finishing

I mixed a batch of 2lb garnet shellac. it sets up too quickly, leaving ridges. I mixed a 3lb batch and had the same result. I fix the ridges by sanding with 600-800 grit paper. How do I fix the shellac mixture.

thanks

I think you need to fix your (post #169644, reply #1 of 2)

by hammer1 in reply to LFB [original] on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 20:39

I think you need to fix your application technique, not the shellac. I find brushing to give the results you describe.
I use a mouse, you have to move fast but you don't get any ridges. Dunk it, rub it on any which way and quickly blend off in the direction of the grain. You can only do a little more than a square foot with each dunk but you actually feel the material go on. If it starts to get a bit sticky, you are going too slow, pretty easy to get the "feel" for what you need to do. I use something like a broadcloth shirt or sheet for the outside wrapper, smaller ball of T-shirt type cotton inside. The coarser cloth on the outside doesn't abrade like soft cotton. I went straight from the can in the picture for a bunch of drawer parts. Took only minutes to do quite a stack.

Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

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Brushing shellac is the least (post #169644, reply #2 of 2)

by HowardAcheson in reply to LFB [original] on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:26

Brushing shellac is the least effective and most problematic application method if you are looking for a good finish. Spraying and padding are the two preferred methods. You can brush on the first coat but all subsequent applications should be one of the two methods above.

Thinning shellac will not affect how quickly the alcohol evaporates.

Howie.........