I’m in the process of finishing several book racks with shellac. I wipe on a coat of BLO to pop the grain then proceed with shellac coating, rubbing out etc. I had finished three pieces without much problem. The fourth one sort of went South on me.
I put the BLO on and did not wipe it off immediately. I left it to “penetrate” for about 3 hours. I think this was a big mistake. Then I compounded the mistake by putting two coats of 1 lb cut shellac over the top less than 24 hours later. Over a week later I began the painfull task of removing the whole mess. The shellac would not sand cleanly as it is supposed to. I got an education as to just how tough a shellac finish is! I was really impressed!
Would I be safer and wiser to wipe the BLO off immediately after application and would it be safe as well to wipe the pieces down with Min. Spirits or Naptha after the application of the BLO?
After the BLO, I apply two coats of shellac then sand with 320, dry. Two more coats, then wet sand 400 w/ Naptha as a lube. Two more coats, then wet sand 600; same lube. Then rub out with 0000 steel wool dry, 0000 steel wool w/wax, then plain wax and a buff. I’m putting two coats on at a time to get a little thicker build between sanding operations. Is this okay?
Regards,
Mack
Replies
Just a few preliminary questions: What kind of wood are you using? What shellac are you using, and why 1 lb. cut? How are you applying the shellac?
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply. I'm using Hock flakes, blonde and applying it with a brush. This is going onto Big Leaf Maple. I've been using the 1 lb. cut because that's what I know. I've been thinking maybe I could go to a 2 lb. cut for the first application or two and use one coat instead of two. Your opinion would be much appreciated.
Thanks again,
Mack
wipe off the blo right away. as long as you have it on the wood it will do it's job and if it is open grain come back and wipe it periodically every few hours as it will bleed from the pores. overnight is fine for topcoating w/shellac the blo can be thinned liberally.. if you leave the blo to long it will leave a film on the wood that is tough to wipe out. refresh with thinners or naptha and wipe dry
the shellac should be fresh and don't pile it on to thick as it won't dry very fast. if you learn how to pad it on , it will save you all that sanding. you actually don't have to sand it that much it you are putting it on properly
ron
Generally I wipe on boiled linseed oil (BLO) and almost immediately then wipe it off. If the piece is simple and small, I'll oil the entire piece; if more than a few minutes would be needed to oil the entire piece I'll oil part and wipe it dry, then work on the next section. When I wipe it off, I use white paper towels; as a paper towel becomes oily I'll use a new piece, and continue doing so until the paper towel shows not sign of picking up more oil.
In the past I've applied shellac the next day, but now to be on the safe side I usually wait 48 hours before applying shellac.
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