On Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 11:43:54 AM UTC-5, Sonny wrote:
Update: Went to SW and inquired about the products, Hi-Bild lacquer and Sher-Wood Poly.

The lacquer dries fast, gallon cans available. To be sprayed, only.

They didn't have the Sher-Wood poly in stock. The guy recommended Wood Classics Poly Varnish, as a Sher-Wood poly substitute, but that the Wood Classics would yellow, to some extent, over time. He also said the Sher-Wood poly is a two part application (primer coat, then top coat) and comes in 5 gallons, only.

I'm back to square one. Reconsidering 1) Applying shellac and topcoating with my familiar Varathane Floor Finish OR 2) Applying the Varathane only.... test some applications to see the results, before committing to this..

Sonny

If you are wanting a product that won't yellow or amber at all over time, then you will need to switch to an acrylic product. All of the oil/solvent based stuff, even the catalyzed, will yellow after a time. There are plenty of them out there, that's for sure. SW, Benjamin Moore, ML Cambell, etc., all have their version. To my knowledge, all the "professional grade" non yellowing acrylics are spray only. Don't be confused by the water borne finishes sold in the home improvement stores.

Sonny... I just feel like you are so close to getting this done! I have no doubt you have the skills and talent, but it seems the finishing part is wearing you down. I completely understand, believe me.

Since we are chatting about this, I would offer you yet another opinion. I like SW because they have a lot of products I like. But my job is to make a living at this stuff, and if they don't have exactly what I go straight over to another vendor. I live in city that has many paint stores with a lot of different product until I get what I want. At this point in time, most of the finishes apply about the same in actual practice, and their performance is similar as well.

I go to SW first, Benjamin Moore second, then an industrial coatings store last. Unless I am for quick and inexpensive finish, I stay out of HD or Lowe's. Even though Lowe's sells Varathane products, which used to be a king among coatings (especially their varnish lines) I don't think they sell the same stuff at Lowe's we buy in the paint store. Although it seems like it would be the opposite, if you follow the manufacturer's instructions they are easier to apply and certainly give better results than the home improvement store products.

Since you are so far into and have done so much work on your actual project, it would be a shame to not get exactly what you want as a finish. I understand that is isn't me in the project, but if it was I would do a bit of internet research and get my coffee mug and hit the road. I only talk to the managers of the stores as they have had the most training and are most likely to have the best product knowledge.

I don't know that I could actually help at this point, but ask away and I will be glad to take a crack at any questions.

Robert

On Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 2:40:43 AM UTC-5, wrote:


Since you are so far into and have done so much work on your actual project, it would be a shame to not get exactly what you want as a finish. I understand that is isn't me in the project, but if it was I would do a bit of internet research and get my coffee mug and hit the road. I only talk to the managers of the stores as they have had the most training and are most likely to have the best product knowledge.

I don't know that I could actually help at this point, but ask away and I will be glad to take a crack at any questions.

Robert

Thanks Robert. I've been anxious to get the finishing done, so I've rushed myself. Overnight, I've reconsidered my previous ideas. Today, I'll ask around as to some of the pro floor finishers, as to what they use, maybe even get estimates for their finishing the table top for me.

I won't complete this job by Saturday, so I might as well take a little more time and do it right. Maybe the floor finishers have/use the SW poly or Hi-Bild, so I won't have to buy the 5 gallons. I'll ask them to critique my prep, also, if that'll help them with their prospective finishing.

I'd still like to try spraying shellac on the bottom side, just to see how I do with it and my overall technique on large abnormal pieces.

Sonny

On Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 7:27:47 AM UTC-5, Sonny wrote:

Thanks Robert. I've been anxious to get the finishing done, so I've rushed myself. Overnight, I've reconsidered my previous ideas. Today, I'll ask around as to some of the pro floor finishers, as to what they use, maybe even get estimates for their finishing the table top for me.

I won't complete this job by Saturday, so I might as well take a little more time and do it right. Maybe the floor finishers have/use the SW poly or Hi-Bild, so I won't have to buy the 5 gallons. I'll ask them to critique my prep, also, if that'll help them with their prospective finishing.

I'd still like to try spraying shellac on the bottom side, just to see how I do with it and my overall technique on large abnormal pieces.

Sonny

That sounds like an excellent plan. Most floor finishers use acrylics these days as opposed to solvent based, and the good stuff is remarkably hard and doesn't yellow.

I would bet that if you shellac that bottom you will be surprised at how well it will go. Plan it all out, allow enough time, use the proper application techniques and no doubt it will go well.

Hope you let us know your decisions and how it turns out.

Robert