Peter,
I’ve read several articles on finishing steps and am now confused. I am in the final stage of a project and I want to get it right. I have several basic questions:
1) I was hoping you could describe which of the following are complimentary and which should not be combined:
Shellac (dewaxed)
Sealcoat
Polyurathane (water based or oil based)
oil based stain
gel stain
glaze or dispersion oil
2) In your FWW #197 (april 2008) article on bring out the best in Mahogany, you “used Zinsser’s SealCoat, a dewaxed clear shellac”. But when I read the back of the can of Zinsser’s Bulls Eye Shellac, it says “Not recommended for use as a sealer under polyurethane. When sealing wood under polyurethane finishes, use Bulls Eye SealCoat”. This would suggest that Shellac and SealCoat are two different products. Could you clarify this please?
3) Are any of the following procedures encouraged or discouraged:
a) For the top of a cabinet or table made of mahogony, begin with an oil based stain, followed by shellac, followed by paste wood filler, followed by gel stain, followed by water based polyurethane
b) For the sides of a cabinet, begin with an oil based stain, followed by water based polyurethane
c) For the sides of a cabinet, begin with an oil based stain, followed by shellac
Sorry for the long question. Thanks for your help.
-Jeff
Replies
Jeff,
Bulls Eye SealCoat is dewaxed shellac.
Bullseye Shellac is shellac with wax in it. It is better to use the dewaxed SealCoat if you want to add a urethane topcoat.
An example how the SealCoat is utilized;
an oil stain followed by a thin coat of dewaxed shellac as an isolation coat, followed by a gel stain. The shellac will act as a barrier so the gel doesn't affect the color of the oil stain. This is how we layer colors.
I would then seal the gel in with the dewaxed shellac prior to adding a topcoat. You can then do a water or oil based urethane.
Understand this is just an example.
For A, Personally if I were to do that schedule I would stain,seal, fill, seal,gel, seal and topcoat. Also I would use an oil based product at the end.
Also be sure to learn to work with paste filler by doing samples. It is best to let the filler sit for at least three days to a week prior to going further. I would also seal it with Sealcoat prior to adding another color (gel) to the surface. As before we have now isolated the filled surface and can control the color. If you don't do this the color will control you.
B If you use an oil stain, seal it with Sealcoat prior to moving on to a urethane.
C A tried and true step.
If there are any finishing course offered in your area, try and take one in. You will benefit more there in a few hours than you can possibly imagine. Be sure and practice by making samples of all your steps. It will be some of the best time you will spend.
Good luck.
Peter
Peter,
Thanks much. That was very helpful
Jeff
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