roadking598 Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Members, I am looking for some advice on the techniques you folks use to apply Shellac to a project. I like the fininsh but I am not getting the results I suspect the rest of you are. Luckily, these are projects that are going to be used at home (so far)... What is the best way to apply Shellac to a project? Do you get the best results from using brushes, foam brushes, rags, ....? I have used all of the above and combinations thereof as well. I still see small ridges (usually near the edges) that appear to be where the Shellac ran just a bit and I didn't catch it. These ridges happen no matter how careful I seem to be. Am I missing the boat on the applicator or just need to hone my technique? Thank you in advance for any advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 I like the french polish method with a rag, I used Methyl Hydrate as a thinner and olive oil as a lubricant. I basically followed this method Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Spray it, works real nice. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 If you cant spray it thin it down a little more. Shellac is real easy to get finish sag. Go slow and put on very thin coats. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earlextech Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Spray it with HVLP. I've been using HVLP systems for over twenty years and I always spray seal coat cut 1:1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanLincoln Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Shellac finishes should be kept away from water, as they will become dull or even have a white residue appear when exposed to moisture. Should your shellac finish develop water spots, repair is relatively simple. Use straight alcohol on a pad and remove the shellac from the offending area. Then pad or brush on a series of coats of shellac and rub it out until the finish is even. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoboMonk Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 There are many "best ways" of applying shellac, depending on your projects, woods, skills and available tools. However, foam brushes are the worst. They tend to leave tracks and many will fall apart in shellac (alcohol). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 If you spray, 99% Isoprophyl can slow down the dry time and help it self level. Normal denatured alcohol evaporates very quickly. Using isoprophyl in shellac is akin to using slow thinner in lacquer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Then pad or brush on a series of coats of shellac and rub it out until the finish is even. Ryan's on the right track. However you get the shellac on the surface, application is just the first step. I personally apply it with a brush; but the job isn't done until it's seen either some sandpaper or steel wool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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