Replies

1. 
   Rob_Millard | Mar 04, 2002 12:05am | #1

   *
   Brushing shellac is sort of difficult since you don’t have time to tip off, like you can with varnish. I apply my shellac very thin and with the same kind of brush you do. I use a 1” for legs and similar sized areas, and a 2” for drawer fronts, aprons, etc. and a ½” one with rounded corners for detail areas such as carvings. I have found that the Shellac Wet, sold by Jeff Jewitt helps control the set time on the shellac and gives you a better chance to brush it out. In warm weather I put my shellac in the refrigerator to help slow down its set time. Having said all this, there is no way to lay down shellac (or any film finish) that won’t require some sanding. I usually have to level sand my shellac with 600 grit paper, but sometimes I have to drop down to 400. I make the decision on how carefully to apply it, weighed against how hard it will be to rub out. With this in mind, I’m very careful on turned items (ones that I can’t finish on the lathe), moldings, and carved areas. Flat surfaces are so easy to sand, and since you have to sand them any way, I figure why drive yourself nuts trying to lay down a “prefect” coat, besides shellac is easy to sand.

1. 
   Jerry_Thompson | Mar 04, 2002 02:06am | #2

   *Thanks Ron. Now I can try an put all of my hair back in my scalp.