Replies

1. 
   boilerbay | Aug 27, 2009 05:04pm | #1

   If it's the final color your happy with, I would give it a coat 1 pound cut of super blonde - same as Zinsers seal coat. Sand off nubs if any and maybe a second coat followed by a buff to whatever finish gloss you want. The poor little tree gave it's life for you, the least you can do is give it a shirt and pants to keep it happy.

   BB

1. 
   Michael503 | Aug 27, 2009 07:04pm | #2

   I'm not interested in appearance as much as I am function since it won't be seen, except when the mattress is flipped. I am concerned that a mattress sitting on a shellacked surface might stick or cause a moisture problem.
   I'm just wondering if there's a rule of thumb on this.-Michael

2. 
   JohnWW | Aug 27, 2009 07:41pm | #3

   Michael,

   Fresh shellac dries very hard and won't become sticky except at very high temperatures. I built a bed platform of the same design, gave it a couple of coats of shellac, it is actually glossy, and have had no problems with the finish sticking to the mattress. I probably used Zinnser's Sealcoat.

   If you don't put on a finish, wood fibers will start to rise up from the face of the plywood over time and they will make it very hard to shift the mattress or slip the edges of sheets between the mattress and the ply.

   John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998-2007

1. 
   Michael503 | Aug 27, 2009 07:47pm | #4

   Thank you very much, that's exactly what I needed to know. :)-Michael

1. 
   Rich14 | Aug 28, 2009 01:49am | #5

   Absolutely apply shellac to the wood. It's the best sealer you can use for this application.While no finish actually completely seals, as John says, the unfinished wood will respond to moisture in the atmosphere much more than one with a coat or two of shellac.Unfinished wood, especially plywood will begin to have a very objectionable odor if unsealed, and will attract and hold dust that can't be adequately brushed off the surface or out of the pores and fibers.Rich

1. 
   Michael503 | Aug 28, 2009 03:24am | #6

   Thanks, I've already started slobbering the stuff down :)-Michael