Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Sep 05, 2009 08:12pm | #1

   Hard to be sure why they behaved differently.  My guess is that either one of the pieces had a more complete shellac seal, or that one had the excess wiped off more completely. 

   But, in any event, it was basically wrong to use the Maloof finish over shellac.  Oil varnish finishes (and oil/wax) are meant only to go over unsealed, bare wood.  If the shellac seal was complete (and shellac is a very good sealer) then you should have wiped off virtually all the oil/varnish finish, leaving nothing to fail to cure. 

   Your best fix at this point is to first try mineral spirits (perhaps toluene for a stronger solvent, with suitably greater personal protection) to remove as much of the oil/varnish mix that hasn't cured.   If that doesn't remove the sticky material then you would have to resort to chemical stripper to remove it. 

   If you desire a "in-the-wood" finish with no surface film (as on Maloof furniture, then you would need to use denatured alcohol to remove all the shellac before starting over with your oil varnish mix. 

   If what you have in mind is really a film finish, then after removing uncured material, you could continue to the appearance you want with a wiping varnish, either made by thinning a varnish of your own choice, or by using a pre-mixed wiping varnish such as Waterlox Original/Sealer. 

1. 
   rshelly | Sep 05, 2009 09:00pm | #3

   Thanks guys,

   The mineral spirits easily stripped the tackiness.

   Randy.

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Sep 05, 2009 08:12pm | #2

   >>> I applied Maloof's oil/wax over Maloof oil/poly over shellac on two identical pieces.

   As I recall, the Maloof finish is a two step process. First apply the oil/varnish, wipe dry and let it dry. Then apply the oil/wax. The first step should be applied to virgin wood, not wood that has a film finish like shellac applied. The idea with the first Maloof step is that oil/varnish is absorbed into the wood. It will not be absorbed if there is a film finish that is sealing the pores of the wood.

   My suggestion is to strip off the finish and apply the Maloof finish as it was intended.

   Howie.........
3. 
   roc | Sep 06, 2009 08:33am | #4

   What wood are your two pieces made from ?

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

1. 
   rshelly | Sep 06, 2009 03:14pm | #6

   They are Mahogany.

4. 
   CStanford | Sep 06, 2009 03:01pm | #5

   The Maloof product/routine is a final finish and so is the shellac.  Next time, pick one or the other.  You're making it too hard.

   
   

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   Edited 9/6/2009 8:02 am ET by CStanford