Replies

1. 
   DonStephan | Dec 18, 2009 09:26pm | #1

   Are you open to other possible finishes? My understanding of NC is that over time oil on our skin softens the finish and makes it sticky. Growing up, our kitchen cabinets and kitchen chairs became permanently sticky after several years. I don't think shellac has this problem, but it is a thin finish and I wonder if the edge of the table will be subject to wear from sliding your hands and arms, keyboard, et cetera. You might consider wiping on several coats of a gel finish, as another option, especially if the total surface area is small.

1. 
   docotter | Dec 19, 2009 02:31am | #2

   For a desk something more durable than shellac or NC would be a good choice. I've used polyurethane in the past when I've needed something more resistant to a wet glass or wear. That said, I'm told that CAB acrylic or waterborne lacquer (e.g., Target Coatings EM6000 WB lacquer) are good choices if you want the fast drying and short time to recoat like shellac and NC lacquer. In fact, I'm getting ready to try the EM6000 -- hopefully this week.

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 19, 2009 07:14am | #3

   I'd have no problem with
   I'd have no problem with shellac in that context. It's limitations are with respect to alkalai cleaners, including ammonia. You'd have to leave spilled water on your computer desk for some time to have a problem that way. I'm confident that it has a basically longer life that any of the alternatives available, and if you eventually do see some signs of wair you can simply clean a bit and add a refresher coat with little fuss or mess. Probably get the job done on the keyboard tray in about as long as it would take to reboot the machine.

3. 
   Westchester | Dec 20, 2009 05:42pm | #4

   Two coats of shellac followed by lacquer will work fine,

   SA

1. 
   brucet9 | Dec 26, 2009 01:43pm | #5

   Lacquer over shellac? I thought that was a no-no.

   I actually started spraying shellac on the first shelf box, but it did not seem to want to wet out evenly, so I shifted to lacquer for the rest of the pieces; top, second shelf box, shelves, monitor stand.

   So it is safe to lightly sand the shellacked piece and lacquer it?

   Thanks

1. 
   purduedan | Dec 26, 2009 02:30pm | #6

   Shellac is a wonderful seal coat for lacquer. I wipe on two coats of shellac, sand with p320, then spray two or three coats of lacquer.

1. 
   brucet9 | Dec 26, 2009 10:03pm | #7

   thanks for the tip. I would never have thought of wiping on lacquer as a sealer, but it makes perfect sense.