"Norminn" wrote in message
m...
On 9/11/2012 9:24 AM, Baron wrote:
"Steve Barker" wrote in message
...
Ok, i got a dousing of BLO applied and wiped down on a new red oak
floor.
Now i need to know what is the best way (that is not spraying) to apply
the wax free shellac sealer. I'm gonna start on this Thursday, and I am
looking for ideas. I'm thinking a 2" brush like i did my stair treads
with is probably not the best solution.

thanks!
--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

I will assume that you put on just enough BLO to enhance the wood's
appearance and not so much as to try and form a significant coating.

The finish schedule you are using is traditional for both floors and
furniture although shellac does not stand up to foot traffic as well as
more
modern finishes. That being said, I would thin the first coat of shellac
maybe 50% with anhydrous alcohol and then use a lamb's wool applicator.
These applicators fit on the end of a broom handle. Try to keep a wet
edge
but keep in mind that shellac dries more quickly than oil based finishes
since the alcohol evaporates more quickly. You may want to do the floor
in
sections since later coats will melt into previous ones. You can buy
retarders if needed.

Good Luck.




Why shellac on a floor!!?? It is soft and absorbs moisture. Great for
sealing, but seems a thinned varnish would do as well.

Shellac is not a soft finish and it does not absorb moisture. One of
the down sides to shellac is its brittleness. In fact, kayaks are
traditionally finished with dewaxed shellac. Shellac is a traditional
finish for floors and furniture. That is not to say that something more
modern like varnish or polyurethane would hold up better but I think you
would be surprised by how long a shellac finish will last.