wrote

No. Shellac or any other finish will simply mirror the texture of the
substrate you are finishing. And with red oak... you couldn't have
picked a tougher wood to try to smooth out. The tubules are deep and
large, and while many finishes will easily span the pores, they will
not fill them on their own. The exception being of course, that you
use the classic approach of applying several thick built up coats that
you will cut down later with a buffer or using the french polish
method.
snip

Keep'em coming, Robert ... your book is taking shape, on my hard drive!

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www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)