I have a question I don’t really want to ask. I’ve already started finishing a pine window casing, the first in a long series of windows and baseboards, but am having second thoughts. Since I don’t really like the finish of water-based varnishes (not enough depth in the grain) but don’t want to start using oil-based varnishes (I’ve heard they yellow over time and I don’t like the smell or solvents used for clean up), I decided to throw on a few coats of shellac before applying the water-based varnish. This really brings out the grain, gives it some dazzling reflections. My question: are these two finishes compatible, or will the varnish start to chip away in a year or two? I really hate finishing, so I would rather start over now than have to redo all the trim in a few years.
Thanks for your advice.
Plinthe. Montreal, Canada.
Replies
You shouldn't have a problem if the shellac is dewaxed like Zinsser's Bulls Eye. At least, I haven't anyway. I used Fuhr 355 acrylic varnish over dewaxed shellac and was impressed with the finish. It went on like a dream! You can get the Fuhr products at http://www.homesteadfinishing.com. Best of luck to you.
Terry in Delray Beach, FL
Actually, the Zinsser shellac that is wax free is called "Seal Coat". The Bulls Eye shellacs are not dewaxed.
Seal Coat is a very nice 2# cut, blond, wax free shellac. It brushes very nicely right out of the can.
Howie,
Thanks for keeping me straight - would hate to give someone the wrong advice.
Terry
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