Replies

1. 
   RSRose | Nov 22, 2002 10:14pm | #1

   Don't use cheesecloth.

   R

1. 
   sorethum1 | Nov 22, 2002 11:51pm | #2

   Old underwear?

1. 
   RSRose | Nov 23, 2002 12:04am | #3

   Sure . . . If you don't mind going Commando.

   But, um . . . wash it first.

   If you don't have a collection of old rags, Home Depot will be glad to sell you some.

   R

1. 
   CWDaymon | Nov 23, 2002 12:53am | #4

   Sam's Club sells packs of lint free cotton rags usually over near the automotive stuff.

   I think Klingspor sells what they call the "Big Box of Rags", which seems to be cut offs of white cottom T-shirt material, for a very reasonable price.

   Just in case you already pitched the old T-shirts.

   -Craig

2. 
   RSRose | Nov 23, 2002 08:58pm | #6

   "Padding lacquer" is really a dilute shellac. It has other ingredients to make the padding easier (I believe oil or other lubricant). Wiping or padding shellac can be the most beautiful of finishes and is actually the last (surface) steps of a complete "French Polish" finish.

   You can buy commercial padding lacquer or just use very dilute shellac with a trace of mineral oil on your pad. It takes a rhythm to get the padding process to work. Just wiping shellac on with a rag is pretty disaterous as it leaves ridges and uneven areas. If you want to work with a very dilute shellac and want it to flow on, use a good natural bristle brush.

   R

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Nov 23, 2002 08:27pm | #5

   I find that wiping on shellac is problematic. It dries so fast that it's impossible not to get dragging. There is one alcohol that is a little slower but I can't remember which it is.

3. 
   Paul_Snyder | Nov 24, 2002 01:05am | #7

   Get a plastic squeeze bottle, like the old ketchup bottles, and fill it with your shellac. Use a cotton cloth folded into a thick square appropriate to the size of the item you are sealing - 2"-3" for a small item, 4"-6" for a large item. Get the cloth wet using the shellac and wipe the surface end-to-end with the grain in one continuos motion. If you run out of shellac before getting end to end, either use more shellac, a larger cloth folded thicker to hold more shellac, or mentally divide the surface into sections and do a section at a time. Re-load the rag and repeat, overlapping the previous lap. Continue until the item is covered. Do this 3 times - waiting 1/2 an hour between coats.

   Once done and dry, sand lightly with 320 grit to smooth.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA