Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jun 25, 2009 04:02pm | #1

   It's mostly a matter of aesthetics.  You stop when it looks right.  Bear in mind that to achieve the same film thickness as a coat of "full strength" brushed on varnish requires roughly 3 coats of wiping varnish.  So 3 or 4 coats isn't very much really.  However, depending on how you expect the chairs will be used, it may very well be sufficient. 

   Am I correct to assume the shellac is dewaxed? 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/25/2009 9:04 am ET by SteveSchoene

1. 
   bmyyou | Jun 26, 2009 01:57am | #8

   Yes - the shellac is dewaxed; it will see a lot of use in our living room so I want the contact surfaces (arms and front rails) to be durable.

2. 
   Gretchen | Jun 25, 2009 04:46pm | #2

   I think you'll find at least 2-3  more coats of wipe on will bring your chair to a place you like even better.

   Gretchen
3. 
   stanley2 | Jun 25, 2009 04:58pm | #3

   I agree that you would be wise to put on two or three more coats of wipe on.  I put two top coats of varnish over shellac on my Morris Chair, which is about five years old and there are areas on the arms that are wearing through.

1. 
   bmyyou | Jun 26, 2009 02:00am | #9

   Thanks; I think I will apply one more coat overall and two more coats to the wear surfaces

1. 
   ASK | Jun 26, 2009 04:26pm | #10

   And when will we see pictures?

   ASK

2. 
   Gretchen | Jun 26, 2009 05:38pm | #11

   I will once again point out that you have one coat of shellac, and the equivalent of probably less than one coat of varnish on your piece at the moment.  I consider 6 coats of wipe on varnish adequate/necessary for table legs and aprons, for example, and at least 8 for table tops/surfaces. There should be some light sanding in the wipe on coats also.  Just a little thought.

   I even "warn" new folks to wipe on not to be discouraged by what it looks like after two coats--it doesn't really look very nice.  But additional applications truly bring out the beauty of the finish.

   Gretchen

   Edited 6/26/2009 10:39 am ET by Gretchen

1. 
   bmyyou | Jun 27, 2009 04:39am | #12

   Actually I have one coat of a 1# cut and one coat of as-is 2# cut of dewaxed shellac. I have also added another coat of wipe-on poly to all the surfaces, and I'm planning several more for the wear/contact surfaces. I agree that the wipe-on is very thin so I will have to take it slow and build up the finish. I'm using 0000 steel wool between coats.

1. 
   Gretchen | Jun 27, 2009 05:47pm | #14

   Since shellac "melts" into itself, you really have one coat of shellac.

   I don't understand the "take it slow and build up" on the wipe on. You can add another coat as soon as the prior coat is dry--a few hours usually. You "build" it by adding additional coats.  ;o)Gretchen

4. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 25, 2009 06:23pm | #4

   How many finish coats? 42. It's the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything. ;-)

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jun 25, 2009 08:16pm | #5

   But that's only true if you are Hitchhiking. 

1. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 25, 2009 08:53pm | #6

   Thumbs up, so to speak, for catching my error. I walk corrected. ;-)

2. 
   sapwood | Jun 25, 2009 11:02pm | #7

   No. 42 is still the universal answer. But it is found by some after hitchhiking for awhile. For others, we find the answer by watching old British tv shows.

2. 
   roc | Jun 27, 2009 04:51am | #13

   >42That's it ! That must have been " THE QUESTION " that we never found out.Which was : How many coats of french polish shall I put on ?Answer: 42rocGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )