Recently I have been having issues with using shellac in the spray can. The can is it at home, but it is the zinzer (sp) dewaxed. I have recently been getting a rough finish with it, almost looks like an orange peel texture once dried. I watched it dry and it almost looks like bubbles are coming out of the wood and popping which leaves an uneven texture. I have tried different woods and get the same result. The result is worse with a thicker coat, and with additional coats it does not even out, it just stays rough. This has occurred with different cans. I am applying it in my garage which is about 110 in the shade, could this be the problem. Any ideas?
Also, this product states it is a good seal coat, but can it be applied in many coats and be a durable finish?
Thanks
Tony
Replies
That's a description of what Andy Charron calls "solvent pop" when a trapped solvent breaks through sufrace of fast-drying finish. His first recommended solution is to "slow down dry time by lowering temperature of finishing area. Personally, 110° is too hot for man or beast, and certainly for applying any finishing material I know. Perhaps OK for force drying after application, but that's a different issue.
Edited 9/2/2008 1:38 pm ET by SteveSchoene
Thanks Steve, I will wait to finish my next project untill it cools down a bit.
Tony
You could be seeing air bubble from the pores coming out, and due to the high temp, the shellac is filming before they can get out, and leaving the surface pock marked.
You might try swabbing the surface with denatured alcohol just before you spray, and see what happens. But, you would probably be better of waiting until things cool down a bit.
There is snow on the mountains here, so winter is rapidly approaching.
I hope this is not a useless comment, but why not brush? It never reaaches 110F here, but in our hottest weather, I've never had trouble. I mix my own shellac from flakes and buttons (not necessary) and apply with a very, very good brush (necessary, in my opinion). To answer your second question, yes, you can build a durable finish. Start with "1 pound" (thin) shellac, put on a coat or two of "2 pound" (medium weight), and maybe finish with another coat of "1 pound." Shellac is disolved in alcohol. so, of course, if you have vodka dripping down your glass onto the tabletop, it will actually re-desolve the shellac. I'll stop there in case this is irrelevant.
JIMBELL
I just vaguely remembered that I tried brushing and padding on shellac and had the same problem, I believe that is why I tried the spray. I tried it straight out of the can and cut down numerous ways, always the same problem. Maybe I should try mixing my own, and maybe it is just too hot. I will mix some when it gets cooler and give it a try. Thanks for the input.
Tony
I'll give it a try, only 101 here today, a bit chilly by Vegas standards!!! Thanks for the advise.
Tony
You may be better off brushing, on 1-lb cuts. If you try brushing, add a few drops of mineral spirits as a retarder.
I spent 30-years in Vegas, and the dry heat presents it's own set of problems to the wood worker, particularly if you don't work in an air conditioned space.
I used lots of Watco Danish oil because it gives you a chance to do something with it before it flashes off. And, polyurethane glues because they actually have enough open time to get things together before they film over.
When you say a couple of drops of mineral spirits, do you mean a couple of drops per pint, or are you referring to larger quantities?
I've also heard turpentine works as a retarder, but I don't know the mixing ratio. Any thoughts on that?
With the mineral spirits just start with a bit, and add more if you need to. It doesn't really take much.
The few drops is in about a cup of mixed shellac.
I appreciate the advice of a former Las Vegan, the heat can indeed be a challenge. I grew up in Idaho. I would love to make it up north sometime. Farthest I have been is McCall. Someday I'll make it back. I'll give your advise a try. I have another question as well. After finishing something like a coffee table, or end table with shellac or laquer or whatever, what do you tell people to clean and dust it with. Does Endust and all the commercial dusting and waxing products work on these types of finishes? I understand that my own furniture can be reoiled or re coated if need be, but what do I tell others in regards to routine cleaning and dusting?
Thanks
Tony
A damp, not wet, cloth works well. The various spray on commercial may have, without much notice, silicone, which can can contaminate the surface making future finish repairs VERY much more difficult. Wax is strictly an aesthetic issue. A plain paste wax (not automotive--again the risk of silicone) works just fine. I like Antiquax, mostly for how is smells.
Like Steve said, the spray polishes and cleaners should be avoided with shellac. I typically dust with a micro fiber cloth, and wax it with a good paste wax, made for floors or furniture once a year.
Shellac dries very fast even with brushing. A spray can will atomize it which I think will make it dry much faster than normal.
Not sure how big you project is, and not very 'Green' but try on a test piece.
Wet a brush with alcohol so it lays down a wet but not dripping film and follow behind with the can. Or even the other way around.
Note: I have never had to do this on a flat surface but I have on carved or routed (profiled) surfaces where the shellac pooled to a thick film I did not want.
I am not sure if it would help you. Just a thought I had of something I have done in the past that worked for me (for what I was doing at the time).
I only used the spray can because I 'thought' it would be easier that a brush. I was NOT!
Been to Vegas many times, but not gamble, just work! I loved it there.. Even with the heat. I'll take your heat any day over a typical summer day at 90% humidity here in Chicago!
Maybe lucky, because I love storms for some reason. Yes I'm strange.. I stayed up all night several time when I was there just sitting with a glass of Rum and watching the lightning storms over the mountains.. I'm easy to please! Way more fun than loosing my money!
Thanks everybody for the advice, helps a bunch
Tony
Edited 9/6/2008 11:43 am ET by docrx
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