I have never used shellac. I have used lacquer, varnish, polyurethane -
both oil-based and water, danish oil, tung oil, mineral oil, but never
shellac.

I have read that shellac will bring out the grain and depth of woods
like cherry and walnut when used as a first coat. Is this true? What is
the procedure? Can I/should I do this with cherry cabinets? Can I do it
with water-based poly as the top coats? Is this a good idea?

Thanks,
Harvey

eclipsme wrote:
I have never used shellac. I have used lacquer, varnish, polyurethane -
both oil-based and water, danish oil, tung oil, mineral oil, but never
shellac.

I have read that shellac will bring out the grain and depth of woods
like cherry and walnut when used as a first coat. Is this true? What is
the procedure? Can I/should I do this with cherry cabinets? Can I do it
with water-based poly as the top coats? Is this a good idea?

There was an article in FWW a month or so ago comparing oil, oil-based
varnish, and shellac for accentuating figure. While this one article
is certainly not the be-all, end-all scientific measure, the author's
conclusion was that oil (and oil-based varnish) popped the grain more,
shellac brought out more chatoyance, more subtlety.

I've used it and like it. It has a tendency to scratch a little more
easily than many finishes, but it is the most reparable of them all,
with the possible exception of oil.

You can use absolutely use *de-waxed* shellac under water-based
poly...shellac is the best seal coat there is, and very commonly used
as an in-between coat to keep incompatible finishes from fighting. But
remember, if it doesn't *say* de-waxed, it isn't.

I have an abiding love for shellac inherited from my mother who used it
extensively with the furnitures she refinished. It is sad that it is so
under appreciated in our polyurethane obsessed world. About the only
thing I would caution you with shellac is that it can be addictive to
use once you begin with it. As for how you plan to use it, if it is
going to be an indoor piece there is no reason to ever use another
finish over it with the possible exception of potential water damage as
in table tops. My advice is use shellac under clear lacquer for that
possible hazard. Remember to test your shellac on some scrap because
shellac is not colorless and comes in a variety of cuts and colors. If
you really want to know more about using it (and finishes in general)
buy this book: Amazon http://tinyurl.com/ot2oa Have fun and best of
luck ...

eclipsme wrote:
I have never used shellac. I have used lacquer, varnish, polyurethane
- both oil-based and water, danish oil, tung oil, mineral oil, but
never shellac.

I have read that shellac will bring out the grain and depth of woods
like cherry and walnut when used as a first coat. Is this true? What
is the procedure? Can I/should I do this with cherry cabinets? Can I
do it with water-based poly as the top coats? Is this a good idea?

Thanks,
Harvey

In my opinion, shellac is fast and easy, both in application and cleanup.
Other than that, it's nothing special.
"eclipsme" wrote in message
. ..
I have never used shellac. I have used lacquer, varnish, polyurethane -
both oil-based and water, danish oil, tung oil, mineral oil, but never
shellac.

I have read that shellac will bring out the grain and depth of woods
like cherry and walnut when used as a first coat. Is this true? What is
the procedure? Can I/should I do this with cherry cabinets? Can I do it
with water-based poly as the top coats? Is this a good idea?

Thanks,
Harvey

"CW" wrote in news:Jditg.3855$vO.1587
@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net:

In my opinion, shellac is fast and easy, both in application and cleanup.
Other than that, it's nothing special.

Well, it looks good, it's forgiving of application errors, repairable and
relatively economical, too.

Other than THAT, it's nothing special. ;-)

Patriarch

"Patriarch" wrote in message
. 97.136...
Well, it looks good,
As do other finishes. Shellac doesn't stand out here.

it's forgiving of application errors,
I covered that in one word, easy.

repairable
Good thing as it's more likely than most film finishes to need it.




Other than THAT, it's nothing special. ;-)

Patriarch

DIYGUY wrote:

with the possible exception of potential water damage as
in table tops.

Even more problematic is alcohol (as is liquor and bars), the solvent for
shellac. Otherwise, it's a versatile finish, as mentioned elsewhere.
--
JeffB
remove no.spam. to email

I agree, but add a word of caution:
Shellac does not age well. If you mix up a batch, mix only what you expect
to use, and discard unused. I am sure someone will be able to suggest shelf
life for a batch of shellac.

Cannot find the link, but I think even the shellac flakes have some sort of
shelf life, so you should purchase from a source that has high turn over of
stock.

Phil

"CW" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Patriarch" wrote in message
. 97.136...
Well, it looks good,
As do other finishes. Shellac doesn't stand out here.

it's forgiving of application errors,
I covered that in one word, easy.

repairable
Good thing as it's more likely than most film finishes to need it.




Other than THAT, it's nothing special. ;-)

Patriarch

"Phil-in-MI" NO Spam & pam wrote in
k.net:

I agree, but add a word of caution:
Shellac does not age well. If you mix up a batch, mix only what you
expect to use, and discard unused. I am sure someone will be able to
suggest shelf life for a batch of shellac.

Cannot find the link, but I think even the shellac flakes have some
sort of shelf life, so you should purchase from a source that has high
turn over of stock.

Phil


Well, if it has a 'life', I haven't hit it yet. Over the last 5 or 6
years, I've disposed of more oils, varnishes, dyes and stains that have
been 'past their prime' or otherwise unsuitable.

The shellac keeps on ticking. Gone through maybe 10 lbs of flake from
three or four different suppliers, without a problem. There's a couple of
pounds of Jeff Jewitt-supplied flake on the shelf, in a cool, dark place in
the shop now, waiting for the craftsperson.

Certainly stuff gets old. I know I have. ;-)

Patriarch

Patriarch wrote:

"CW" wrote in news:Jditg.3855$vO.1587
@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net:

In my opinion, shellac is fast and easy, both in application and cleanup.
Other than that, it's nothing special.

Well, it looks good, it's forgiving of application errors, repairable and
relatively economical, too.

Other than THAT, it's nothing special. ;-)

And it's the only finish approved for use on food. Not food containers, food!
As in M&Ms.

Other than THAT, it's nothing special :-).

--
It's turtles, all the way down

Freshly mixed shellac is remarkably durable and very water resistant. I
tested a piece of fir with a couple coats of 2# shellac by covering half
the piece with foil and leaving it outside for the month of February.
Rained most every day and after a month, the shellac showed no signs at
all of any damage. In fact the only change in the piece was the color of
the fir that darkened by being exposed to the light.

Things to avoid with shellac:
1. Old mixed shellac -- including what comes premixed in a can. Make
your own, use it and discard the rest after a few months. Okay, use the
old stuff for sealing knots before painting or something like that but
why risk it on a project you've invested so many hours in?

2. Alkaline cleaners and ammonia will attack shellac. Use them for brush
clean-up and the like but don't be scrubbing the fingerprints off your
French-polished guitar with them.

3. Tequila (and other distilled spirits) will soften shellac and if a
glass or bottle is left in a puddle thereof it will deboss a ring. So
clean up before you pass out.

4. Heat. DAMHIKT. Mug of steamy beverage will soften a ring. So keep an
eye out for classy coasters to use at the tea party.

Shellac is a natural, non-toxic resin that can be applied in such thin
coats that the nature of the wood glows through. No shrink-wrap-effect
with shellac. There really is nothing more attractive than a rubbed
finish of shellac. Nothing. Just say no to petrochemicals.

If you're finishing a piece of work that you care about, caring for the
shellac should be no problem. If the above restrictions don't make it,
use something else. I liken it to the choice between high-carbon and
stainless-steel knives in the kitchen. Sure, sometimes the stainless
blade is more practical, and the high carbon requires a bit of care to
keep it from rusting, but I know which one makes a better knife and I'm
willing to exercise the care required.

DIYGUY wrote:
I have an abiding love for shellac inherited from my mother who used it
extensively with the furnitures she refinished. It is sad that it is so
under appreciated in our polyurethane obsessed world. About the only
thing I would caution you with shellac is that it can be addictive to
use once you begin with it. As for how you plan to use it, if it is
going to be an indoor piece there is no reason to ever use another
finish over it with the possible exception of potential water damage as
in table tops. My advice is use shellac under clear lacquer for that
possible hazard. Remember to test your shellac on some scrap because
shellac is not colorless and comes in a variety of cuts and colors. If
you really want to know more about using it (and finishes in general)
buy this book: Amazon http://tinyurl.com/ot2oa Have fun and best of
luck ...

eclipsme wrote:

I have never used shellac. I have used lacquer, varnish, polyurethane
- both oil-based and water, danish oil, tung oil, mineral oil, but
never shellac.

I have read that shellac will bring out the grain and depth of woods
like cherry and walnut when used as a first coat. Is this true? What
is the procedure? Can I/should I do this with cherry cabinets? Can I
do it with water-based poly as the top coats? Is this a good idea?

Thanks,
Harvey




--
Ron Hock
HOCK TOOLS www.hocktools.com

Ron Hock wrote:

Freshly mixed shellac is remarkably durable and very water resistant. I
tested a piece of fir with a couple coats of 2# shellac by covering half
the piece with foil and leaving it outside for the month of February.
Rained most every day and after a month, the shellac showed no signs at
all of any damage. In fact the only change in the piece was the color of
the fir that darkened by being exposed to the light.



My tests have proven the same. One thing I wasn't aware of, as stated
by Jeff Jewitt, is that a shellac finish that has aged looses it's
ability to resist water. The article didn't mention how old the finish
has to be before it begins to degrade.

"Take a board that has been finished with fresh shellac and after it has
fully dried (about a week), pour some water on the finish and let it sit
overnight. When you come back the next morning you will still see the
puddle of water, but the finish will be only slightly marred. Shellacs
ability to withstand water decreases with the age of the film, so don't
try this on old finishes.

An interesting feature of shellac is that it resists water-vapor very
well. In tests done by the United States Forest Products Laboratory on
the moisture-excluding effectiveness of wood finishes (the ability of a
finish to prevent moisture vapor from entering the cellular structure of
the wood – called MEE), shellac rated above polyurethane, alkyd and
phenolic varnish and cellulose-nitrate based lacquers."

See:

http://www.antiquerestorers.com/Arti...ff/shellac.htm

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

(Remove -SPAM- to send email)

Ron Hock wrote:
If you're finishing a piece of work that you care about, caring for the
shellac should be no problem. If the above restrictions don't make it,
use something else. I liken it to the choice between high-carbon and
stainless-steel knives in the kitchen. Sure, sometimes the stainless
blade is more practical, and the high carbon requires a bit of care to
keep it from rusting, but I know which one makes a better knife and I'm
willing to exercise the care required.

Ron,

I'm with you...I love the beauty that shellac imparts. My only
complaint is the ease with which a shellac finish scratches. Is there
anything I can do on the front-end to minimize this tendency?

TIA

eclipsme wrote:
I have never used shellac. I have used lacquer, varnish, polyurethane -
both oil-based and water, danish oil, tung oil, mineral oil, but never
shellac.

I have read that shellac will bring out the grain and depth of woods
like cherry and walnut when used as a first coat. Is this true? What is
the procedure? Can I/should I do this with cherry cabinets? Can I do it
with water-based poly as the top coats? Is this a good idea?

Thanks,
Harvey

Shellac is one of the easier finishes to apply. It brushes nicely and
dries quickly, reducing the amount of dust settling into and messing up
the finish. It's much easier than varnish in this respect. It dries
hard enough to sand overnight. I am looking at a chair I refinished in
shellac a LONG time ago. It still looks good. For a cherry cabinet I'd
give it three coats, sand between each coat. Finish off with a coat
of paste wax (Butcher's wax).
As others have mentioned, shellac is not water proof or alcohol
proof. It's rugged enough for ordinary furniture but I would not use it
for high wear things like kitchen cabinets, bar tops, or dining room
tables. The final coat of paste wax is needed to protect the shellac
from occasional spills. I have never mixed shellac from solid flakes.
I buy it ready-to-go and make a point of buying a new can if there is
any question about the age of that can sitting on the shelf from the
last project. I apply it just as it comes out of the can. If desired
you can thin it in alcohol (shellac thinner) which also cleans the
brush. Should you forget to clean the brush and it hardens, you can
still get the brush clean with alcohol. The alcohol will dissolve even
the hardened shellac.
Shellac gives an effect similar to varnish or lacquer except the
finish looks "softer" and the film seems thinner. I like the look of
shellac, however varnish and lacquer look very fine too.

David Starr

On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 17:41:19 -0400, eclipsme wrote:

Should I use Shellac?

Yes.

Just get some, a cheap bottle of ready-mixed, then try it out on
samples. It's easy to work with, gives good results, and is unlike most
other finishes. Pretty much anyone who tries it finds it useful for
something.

no(SPAM)vasys wrote:
Ron Hock wrote:

Freshly mixed shellac is remarkably durable and very water resistant.
I tested a piece of fir with a couple coats of 2# shellac by covering
half the piece with foil and leaving it outside for the month of
February. Rained most every day and after a month, the shellac showed
no signs at all of any damage. In fact the only change in the piece
was the color of the fir that darkened by being exposed to the light.



My tests have proven the same. One thing I wasn't aware of, as stated
by Jeff Jewitt, is that a shellac finish that has aged looses it's
ability to resist water. The article didn't mention how old the finish
has to be before it begins to degrade.

"Take a board that has been finished with fresh shellac and after it has
fully dried (about a week), pour some water on the finish and let it sit
overnight. When you come back the next morning you will still see the
puddle of water, but the finish will be only slightly marred. Shellacs
ability to withstand water decreases with the age of the film, so don't
try this on old finishes.

An interesting feature of shellac is that it resists water-vapor very
well. In tests done by the United States Forest Products Laboratory on
the moisture-excluding effectiveness of wood finishes (the ability of a
finish to prevent moisture vapor from entering the cellular structure of
the wood – called MEE), shellac rated above polyurethane, alkyd and
phenolic varnish and cellulose-nitrate based lacquers."

See:

http://www.antiquerestorers.com/Arti...ff/shellac.htm


Nice article. Thanks!

Harvey

Have read MANY times 6 month shelf life is typical for mixed. Just
mixed up small 2# cut using flakes bought from Jeff at
www.homesteadfinishing.com 5 years ago and it dries hard as fresh
would. Been stored in the refrigerator. Mixed with denatured in the
garage straight out of the fridge and it mixed up in less than 4
hours.

On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 13:39:46 GMT, "Phil-in-MI" NO Spam &
pam wrote:

I agree, but add a word of caution:
Shellac does not age well. If you mix up a batch, mix only what you expect
to use, and discard unused. I am sure someone will be able to suggest shelf
life for a batch of shellac.

Cannot find the link, but I think even the shellac flakes have some sort of
shelf life, so you should purchase from a source that has high turn over of
stock.

Phil

"CW" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Patriarch" wrote in message
. 97.136...
Well, it looks good,
As do other finishes. Shellac doesn't stand out here.

it's forgiving of application errors,
I covered that in one word, easy.

repairable
Good thing as it's more likely than most film finishes to need it.




Other than THAT, it's nothing special. ;-)

Patriarch

wrote:
Ron Hock wrote:

If you're finishing a piece of work that you care about, caring for the
shellac should be no problem. If the above restrictions don't make it,
use something else. I liken it to the choice between high-carbon and
stainless-steel knives in the kitchen. Sure, sometimes the stainless
blade is more practical, and the high carbon requires a bit of care to
keep it from rusting, but I know which one makes a better knife and I'm
willing to exercise the care required.


Ron,

I'm with you...I love the beauty that shellac imparts. My only
complaint is the ease with which a shellac finish scratches. Is there
anything I can do on the front-end to minimize this tendency?

TIA

I've heard that some flexibility can be added (brittleness reduced) with
the addition of various plant resins such as Manila Copal, Benzoin,
sandarac, damar, and mastic but I've seen very little written about them
and have done little of my own research. Anyone know more about these
resins?

--
Ron Hock
HOCK TOOLS www.hocktools.com