On Dec 16, 7:13*pm, Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:33:16 -0500, FrozenNorth wrote:
I have the shelf made and coloured properly to match cabinets, now what
*to
use for a clear coat? *Poly, varnish, shellac or ?

Assuming it's dewaxed shellac all you have to worry about is heat and
alcohol. *Grease etc wipes off of shellac just like it wipes off of any
other film finish.

But considering the shelf might lead a rough life I'd go for one of long
oil varnishes (aka Danish oil) - Tried & True is my favorite but Watco is
probably easier to find. *That way the shelf is easily refinished.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

Try just varnish straight from the can, no thinner, no oil.
Lay it on with a rag and buff until nearly dry, then repeat.
Looks just like Danish oil, but builds faster and wears
better. Behlen's Rockhard is great, alkyd a close second,
polyurethane okay if you like a cloudy, yellow finish with a
Saran wrap feel.