Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Apr 10, 2007 04:42am | #1

   Ted,

   I'm assuming by combinations you mean something like 13 of this and 13 of that. If not correct me.

   Finishing is made unduly complicated by all the recipes and myths. I guess there is a personal pride in stating that you "made the finish" The question I always ask is why. More often the not the answer is "somebody once told me........."

   The best advice I can give you is to pick up a couple of the books on finishing. They will go into detail on each coating such as shellac, lacquer, oil varnishes etc.

   If you could be a little more specific on combinations you might be talking about ,we'll tackle it. Otherwise I could end up writing volumes here.

   Very good question. Get back to me.

   Peter

    

    

2. 
   Joe Sullivan | Apr 10, 2007 05:07am | #2

   Or, Ted, do you mean a combination as in wax over shellac over oil?

   Joe

3. 
   mark2cut | Apr 10, 2007 08:24pm | #3

   Peter and Joe, yes, I meant applying one kind of finish over the other like a wax over a varnish over a shellac, or a shellac over an oil or visa versa.

    

   Ted

    

    

1. 
   peter28 | Apr 14, 2007 06:33pm | #4

   Ted,

   Sorry for the delay.

   Shellac can be used over an oil . Say you rub a coat of any type of thin oil such as watco, minwax etc. to accentuate the wood. After it is dried, you can then put a brushing varnish or shellac if you prefer.

   If you apply the oil thinly (just enough to color the wood) you can comfortably put finish coats after a day. If you use oil in a generous amount, the longer you can wait the better IE a few days to a week before re-coating.

   Sealing an oil in to me is always a good idea and I would use shellac for this. When used as a sealer, use dewaxed shellac (SealCoat) that way you can put a varnish or urethane on without adhesion problems. Be sure and scuff sand and clean prior to top coating.

   Shellac is a great finish by itself and will produce a glow that most finishes can't touch.

   Wax can be used as a final touch on any type of finsh. Just be sure to let the finish cure well before applying wax. I have an article on wax in this months FWW that will explain it in detail. I can't say I use wax on every project but I do but I have a number of side tables that I've done shellac and wax finishes on and invariably when I have company those are the pieces friends seem to run their hands over.

   If I didn't hit a specific note here get back to me and we'll zero in it.

   Peter

1. 
   mark2cut | Apr 16, 2007 03:57am | #5

   Thanks Peter, your explanation is very helpful as well as your recent articles and videos.  Thanks again,  Ted