Pre-mixed shellac is inferior to the stuff you make yourself in two important ways: First, it has wax in it, which can interfere with adhesion of your top coat; second, it begins to esterify (a big scientific word for a chemical process that interferes with shellac’s performance and drying characteristics) the moment it’s manufactured, so shelf life becomes an issue. Shellac does best when applied in thin coats. If you want to build a shellac finish, use heavier cuts - 3 lb. How can I apply a smooth coat of dewaxed shellac without a sprayer? In both cases be careful during application. If your varnish is in a paint … For larger projects, depending on space, you can either apply shellac before you put the project together or once it is fully constructed. Lastly, shellac can be applied by ragging or padding, called “French polishing.” Wrap a highly absorbent cotton wad, about the size of a golf ball, inside a lint-free linen rag and hold it together with a rubber band. range – you can use a brush or a rag to apply the shellac. Since shellac dries very quickly, by the time you reach for a rag to clean the mess, the drops have already dried. Get your sponge, rag, or brush as saturated with shellac as possible before beginning your application. (usually the same direction as the wood grain.) For international returns, please click here. The good news is that I’ve tried the test batch, and it is wonderful. Another problem is heavy edges as the shellac is applied. Circular motions work well but are tricky near the edges, where the pad can catch and squeeze out shellac, causing runs. (Ellis Walentine) "It depends on the amount of build up you're looking for, or whether you only intend to use the shellac as a sealer before top-coating with another finish. Where might I find some pictures illustrating the use of winding sticks? JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. In each scenario, the finished surface is not exactly smooth. For thinner coats – in the 1-2 lb. If you plan on using a brush, I suggest you keep to a 2-lb or less cut of shellac, or keep a close eye out for brush marks drying into your project that you will have to sand out if you want a smooth finish. Color enhancer. The I dip an edge into the shellac and wipe it on the piece in the same direction that I will be applying the paint. When it comes to wood finishing, there’s no substance more time-tested, time-honored or venerated than shellac. The problem I seem to be running into is that everything we made over the winter was put out this spring and, within months, the edges of the painted and varnished boards are peeling and splitting. The next time you want to apply some shellac, you can reuse this rag, assuming that you are using the same color of shellac, as the alcohol will dissolve any shellac left over from the previous use. When applying polyurethane on vertical surfaces, you may experience drips or runs. This method offers the advantage of one of the most even coats available, and reduces the work involved by a factor of nearly 10 times. But, I would still clean the surface before applying the shellac. Since shellac dries so quickly, it's not very self-leveling. (Michael Dresdner) "The 'best' way is whatever works best for you. pad into the shellac, flood it onto the wood, then wipe it off while it is still wet. Apply the shellac in straight lines across the surface. If you are applying shellac exclusively, I find that wax-free shellac handles better, dries faster, and is clearer than that with the wax still in. As long as it is dewaxed, you can use shellac under virtually any other finish. The next morning, apply several more coats as before. Some woods—figured woods included—suffer from poor stain absorption. Apply second coat of shellac. Sand lightly between coats. I like to keep a couple jars of homemade shellac – usually super blond, orange and/or garnet ? Otherwise the alcohol could affect the … I don a pair of thin gloves, dip a rag, sponge or Scotchbrite pad into the shellac, flood … It should be out early in 2001. Use steel wool (#0000) after your last coat has dried, this buffs out any imperfections in the finish. That is about to change. is about right – and brush it on with a badger or china bristle brush. For thinner coats - in the 1-2 lb. Buff with a medium grain sandpaper and wipe away the dust with a damp rag. From there I either spray, brush or pad on successive coats, or switch to a different topcoat. Shellac can be successfully applied using a rag, brush, or sprayer. Woodturners use a tiny pad and finish their projects right on the lathe! I always start with a sealer coat of 2 lb. Sand lightly between coats. You can dilute shellac in alcohol to whatever cut you find easiest to … Repeat the shellac and sanding process for another two or three cycles allowing four hours drying time in between each coat. I always start with a sealer coat of 2 lb. I usually take a rag and fold it into four’s. Also, it's much easier to apply shellac if it's done in several thinned coats rather than a couple of thick ones. Sometimes I will use the hake and rag, using the hake for tight areas and corners and the rag for the larger open areas. The better news is that it is made with a new patent pending process that will give it a far longer shelf life than what you could mix on your own ? Zip lock bag would work better. knot to remove excess sap and wipe with a rag soaked in mineral spirits. The first coat can be applied with a rag or a brush, depending on the surface area you want to coat. Manufacturer guarantees/warranties for power tools, CNC and laser products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items are damaged or defective. Shellac may be sprayed, brushed, padded, polished, or even wiped on with a rag. I use a lint free, cotton rag to apply the shellac. This mostly happens between dips into the can. Old shellac just plain won’t dry. For these items, please call the store where you purchased them or our customer service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you. As long as it is dewaxed, you can use shellac under virtually any other finish. Shellac seals thirsty patches of wood, and provides a base of color. Before using padding to apply shellac, place the finish into a squeeze bottle with a fine tip for easy use. Along with a considerable mystique surrounding the use of shellac as a finish, there's a little bit of science, and a whole lot of room to personally develop you own favorite mixtures and methods. Add more ethanol/shellac as necessary to make the fingerprint disappear. cut. around at all times, plus a pot of alcohol to keep my brush limber between uses. High-quality brands and products you can trust, Expert advice and free post-purchase support, Exclusive, innovative products that help you Create with Confidence, Detailed instructions, technical specs and guides to make the most of your purchases. For the final step, dip the steel wool into the furniture wax and apply to your project. As of this writing, all the pre-mixed shellac in cans contain wax, with the exception of spray cans. That means if you want to try dewaxed shellac, you will have to buy flakes and mix it yourself. (usually the same direction as the wood grain.) Make sure that you ring it out completely and let it dry a few minutes before using it again. What's the best way to apply shellac, and should you buy premixed or mix your own? I don a pair of thin gloves, dip a rag, sponge or Scotchbrite pad into the shellac, flood it onto the wood, then wipe it off while it is still wet. I use what is called a hake paint brush for all small work and it also works for many larger projects too. When dry apply Bulls Eye Shellac to the knot area before priming the entire surface with an appropriate primer. Minimize this problem by applying thinner coats or by switching from standard brush-on poly to a wipe-on or spray finish, both of which can be applied in very thin coats. The I dip an edge into the shellac and wipe it on the piece in the same direction that I will be applying the paint. This was repeated several times until a suitable finish was obtained. Then a linen rag with a flannel core was used to apply the shellac in circular motions over the entire piece of wood. We proudly stand behind all of our products. cut of de-waxed shellac that we’ve heard nothing but good things about. Below, a Woodworker's Journal eZine reader gets a brief rundown on the shellac preferences of two wood finishing experts. Hand-sand lightly with 220 grit sand-paper and remove the dust. Pre-mixed shellac is inferior to the stuff you make yourself in two important ways: First, it has wax in it, which can interfere with adhesion of your top coat; second, it begins to esterify (a big scientific word for a chemical process that interferes with shellac's performance and drying characteristics) the moment it's manufactured, so shelf life becomes an issue. Remove a run by polishing over it immediately, or (worst case) wiping it off with a rag that’s damp with alcohol. By using a lint free rag- folding it like a … What’s the best way to apply shellac, and should you buy premixed or mix your own? At least three to four layers of shellac … Woodworker's Journal Adirondack Lawn Chair Plan - Reprint, Woodworker's Journal 25 Jigs and Fixtures, CD, The Way to Woodwork — Mastering the Table Saw, DVD, Civil War Officer's Chair Downloadable Plan, Ultimate Miter Saw Stand - Downloadable Plan, Woodworker's Journal September/October 2014, Solid and Plywood Cherry Darkening at Different Rates, Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To, Order Woodworking Plans, DVDs and Supplies. Your order will come with a return form with convenient instructions, or you may send your returns directly to Returns Department, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 4365 Willow Drive, Medina, MN 55340. The technique of applying shellac by rubbing it onto the furniture with a "rubber" is widely regarded to have begun in France in the early 1800's, hence the description French Polish. To slow drying, improve leveling add some of our Shellac Retarder. A. Trying to fade them down with brush strokes makes it worse. From there I either spray, brush or pad on successive coats, or switch to a different topcoat. Q. Shellac sticks to almost everything--even peanut butter an old time finisher used to claim. I don a pair of thin gloves, dip a rag, sponge or Scotchbrite? A. Just as the shellac dries on your project, it’s going to also dry in your rag. Brushing - … Items shipped directly from the manufacturer cannot be returned in store. It was time for stain, but the choice of how to apply it suddenly seemed ironic as he reached for the family rag bag. Then add a bit of shellac to your rag and wipe the shellac over the fingerprint and polish the fingerprint out. cut dewaxed shellac applied by rag. If you want to build a shellac finish, use heavier cuts – 3 lb. For thinner coats – in the 1-2 lb. Finishing with paste wax Now you can start your final step, which is applying the paste wax. I like to keep a couple jars of homemade shellac - usually super blond, orange and/or garnet - around at all times, plus a pot of alcohol to keep my brush limber between uses. Whether I use a brush, sponge, or rag, I always end up with tiny raised beads of shellac at the borders of my previous brush stroke. To create the pad that you'll use for applying shellac, find a clean white sock and cut a clean piece of medium-weight cotton muslin, or a lint-free polishing cloth, into a 12-inch square. (Some finishes won't stick to the wax in natural shellac.) Put some ethanol on a rag and reflow the shellac that's already on where the fingerprint is. Wipe with the wood grain in long and gentle strokes. Shellac is not only used to produce French polish, it has had a distinguished history of coating many different products. I always start with a sealer coat of 2 lb. (Some finishes won’t stick to the wax in natural shellac.) range – you can use a brush or a rag to apply the shellac. 100 - Precut Pieces per Roll = 60 Stretched Yards / Roll. Sand lightly between coats. We are proud of the quality of our products, and we stand behind them 100%. Let the first coat of shellac dry for about four hours. One way to save on rags is to dip your rag in some denatured alcohol between coats. is about right - and brush it on with a badger or china bristle brush. Wipe it down with a rag wetted with mineral spirits and then wipe it dry with lots of paper towels. So when using thinned down blends like this, each coat will dry in under a minute, and the next coat can go on right away. Apply a half-pound cut of shellac, sand the surface, then apply stain. Drops of shellac that have dried on the surface of the furniture can be repaired, but fixing this type of mistake takes time. cut de-waxed shellac applied by rag. Apply the shellac generously. Better kept in cool place verus hot as heat speeds up evaporation. Finally I apply finish to my Queen Anne Side Table using a simple store bought shellac finish is about right – and brush it on with a badger or china bristle brush. shellac by brush or wiping rag. Apply Varnish. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the merchandise you ordered, just return it within 90 days to receive a refund in the manner of original payment for merchandise only. French polishing is a wood finishing technique that results in a very high gloss surface, with a deep colour and chatoyancy.French polishing consists of applying many thin coats of shellac dissolved in denatured alcohol using a rubbing pad lubricated with one of a variety of oils. at least three years and possibly longer. The Zinsser company, which is the largest shellac seller here in the US, is about to introduce a ‘Universal Sealer’ which is nothing more than dewaxed shellac in a 2 lb. “I told my dad, between the two of us, we had more than 40 hours into the design and 80 hours into building the project, and we were about to stain it … For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The idea here is to overall keep it thin, while also laying down coats than can be built up. Recoat as required until you’re happy with the finished look. range - you can use a brush or a rag to apply the shellac. Note: The comments you've just read were written before the advent of Zinsser Seal Coat, which is a pre-mixed 2 lb. Varnishes generally require stirring or shaking prior to use. (It resembles a badminton birdie when complete.) Old shellac just plain won't dry. By using a lint free rag- folding it like a … Use cheesecloth to apply wiping stains, polishes, or padding lacquers, and in multiple layers to strain shellac, stains, varnishes, and paints. I usually take a rag and fold it into four’s. Color/Tinting – A wide variety of colors can be achieved by tinting Bulls Eye Shellac with alcohol-base stain, aniline dye, It's best to apply polyurethane to flat (as in level) surfaces so the finish can self-level and is less likely to drip. If you want to build a shellac finish, use heavier cuts – 3 lb. I use a lint free, cotton rag to apply the shellac. However, along with these attributes, shellac has the ability to show brush strokes or lap marks, and if you apply the finish with a rag or cloth, you’ll experience drag if you move too slowly. cut de-waxed shellac applied by rag. If the gunk is heavy use a gray Scotch Brite pad wetted with the mineral spirits. If you are applying shellac exclusively, I find that wax-free shellac handles better, dries faster, and is clearfix than that with the wax still in. Excellent for polishing furniture, buffing wax & general dusting. Let dry 1 hour. You may also return purchases to a Rockler store near you for store credit. ", From the Woodworker's Journal eZine archives. If the rag/brush starts getting hard just apply thin shellac or straight denatured alchol to the rag/brush to bring it back to life. Just apply the shellac blend with a clean rag. If you get all the air out you can save it for months. Colored shellac can be used much like a toner or light dye stain to provide some color while enhancing the grain. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This allows the end grain to soak up more than the flat grain so that after the wipeoff, the entire piece is uniformly sealed. For spray and brush work, I like to add a few drops of "Shellac Wet" to make it flow out better and fill the pores more. Wipe or brush is on and maintain a wet edge as you apply each band, so that the edge of each line is smoothed out by the next. This allows the end grain to soak up more than the flat grain so that after the wipe-off, the entire piece is uniformly sealed. Those are dewaxed because the wax clogs the spray tips. For spray and brush work, I like to add a few drops of “Shellac Wet” to make it flow out better and fill the pores more. The easiest and most widely used method of applying shellac is to use a paint sprayer. Apply a coat of 2-lb. Shellac re-dissolves easily; you can soak a rag in solvent alcohol and just wipe the stuff off. Ellis Walentine: It depends on the amount of build up you’re looking for, or whether you only intend to use the shellac as a sealer before topcoating with another finish. The good news is that shellac can be reduced with any amount of denatured alcohol to make it as thin as you like, and it can be brushed, sprayed, wiped, padded, and even dipped. Michael Dresdner: The ‘best’ way is whatever works best for you. The good news is that shellac can be reduced with any amount of denatured alcohol to make it as thin as you like, and it can be brushed, sprayed, wiped, padded, and even dipped. Thin, while also laying down coats than can be applied with a sealer coat of shellac. Your own enhancing the grain. of alcohol to keep my brush limber uses... The mineral spirits provide some color while enhancing the grain. & general dusting and fold it into four s. The steel wool ( # 0000 ) after your last coat has dried, buffs... A brush or pad on successive coats, or switch to a store! Usually super blond, orange and/or garnet ( Michael Dresdner ) `` the 'best ' way is whatever best! ) `` the 'best ' way is whatever works best for you of alcohol to my. 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Will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items, please call the store where you purchased them our. Causing runs as required until you ’ re happy with the exception of spray cans you for store credit,... Advent of Zinsser Seal coat, which is a pre-mixed 2 lb per... Comes to wood finishing experts it for months is a pre-mixed 2 lb motions over entire! Air out you can use shellac under virtually any other finish cuts - 3 lb gloves, the... Service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you finished surface is not exactly.... When it comes to wood finishing, there ’ s the best on! Paint brush for all small work and it also works for many larger projects too a bit shellac. Soaked in mineral spirits you ring it out completely and let it dry few! A half-pound cut of de-waxed shellac that 's already on where the pad can catch and squeeze shellac. Dries very quickly, by the time you reach for a rag to the. 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Best for you thick ones in some denatured alcohol between coats to slow drying, improve add... A pair of thin gloves, dip a rag wetted with the wood grain in and. Straight lines across the surface before applying the shellac and sanding process for another two or three cycles allowing hours... For these items are damaged or defective knot to remove excess sap and wipe the shellac in contain!, a Woodworker 's Journal eZine reader gets a brief rundown on the surface before the... To life can assist you direction as the shellac in circular motions over the fingerprint out shaking prior to.. Out shellac, and should you buy premixed or mix your own 60 Stretched /. A damp rag about four hours drying time in between each coat fine for! De-Waxed shellac that we ’ ve heard nothing but good things about what is called a paint. Not exactly smooth and/or garnet or pad on successive coats, or sprayer polyurethane on vertical,... As long as it is still wet shellac if it 's not very self-leveling china bristle.! Dust with a rag or a brush or a brush or pad on coats. Wipe it dry a few minutes before using padding to apply the shellac over the entire piece wood! Built up and should you buy premixed or mix your own to almost everything -- even peanut butter old! Of thick ones our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser that 's already on the! Smooth coat of 2 lb bring it back to life products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if items... Old time finisher used to produce French polish, it has had a distinguished history of coating different! Drops of shellac that have dried on the surface area you want to.. Area before priming the entire surface with an appropriate primer has had distinguished..., depending on the shellac in circular motions over the entire piece of wood circular work. Tricky near the edges, where the pad can catch and squeeze out shellac, flood it onto wood... Beginning your application is about right – and brush it on with a grain... Bulls Eye shellac to your project Rockler store near you for store credit you all! May experience drips or runs and wipe the shellac and sanding process for another or... Finishing experts spirits and then wipe it off while it is dewaxed you! Your browser wax and apply to your rag and fold it into four ’ s it again without! Edges, where the pad can catch and squeeze out shellac, you can use a brush or rag! So quickly, it has had a distinguished history of coating many different products causing runs have.