Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Oct 10, 2010 09:06pm | #1

   It's a good idea to use a fine paint strainer for every finish. You can pulverize the shellac flakes and aggitate the mixture when disolving. Paper cone strainers are available at auto body suppliers.

1. 
   MikeMD | Oct 12, 2010 05:22pm | #2

   I was planning on just picking up a strainer at Lowes/Homedepot, but I hear a lot about "automotive" stuff.  Is there a difference in the quality or performance?

1. 
   hammer1 | Oct 13, 2010 03:45pm | #3

   I use a lot of paper cones since I mostly spray. A goober in the spray gun is something to avoid. You can buy four packs of cone filters at big boxes for an exhorbitant price or you can buy in bulk at an automotive paint supplier, often mine are free with a purchase. You may also have several sizes of mesh to choose from, rather than the one that you get in the small packs. The differences between shoping at a dedicated supplier vs a DIYer store like HD or Lowes is often choice, convenience and price. One has a few things for the weekend warrior, the other supplies full time pros. We're talking paint strainers here, quality isn't a particular issue for a one time use item.

2. 
   veej | Oct 14, 2010 02:55pm | #4

   Shellac

   Good quality  dewaxed shellac has little or no impurities. However filtering it is not going to hurt you. Since you are a first time user, I just wanted to point out that a 2 lb cut, that you have made, is a bit too heavy. I would thin it down to 1 lb or even less. The trick to laying down shellac, whatever be your application method i.e brushing, spraying or French Polishing etc..., is to lay down extremely  thin and even layers. This type of layering will give you a good shine without streaks. 

   Good luck

3. 
   RMillard | Oct 17, 2010 08:55am | #5

   Straining unnecessary

   I have never strained shellac, but it wouldn't hurt to do it. After considerable use, the bottom of my shellac jar has a collection of debris, but this has not caused any problems. It is odd that shellac is so forgiving in this respect, because if I tried this with varnish the results would be  disastrous. I think this is because shellac when properly thinned for use is so thin that the "junk" just settles to the bottom.

   Rob Millard

   http://www.americanfederalperiod.com