Questions tagged [shellac]
The shellac tag has no usage guidance.
18
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2
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1
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Hiding brush stroke marks when applying shellac on mdf
Like a dummy I used a traditional painters brush when applying shellac to a mdf surface top. I probably did five or six coats at this point I’ve lost count. I can now see obvious stroke marks from the ...
- 121
2
votes
1
answer
40
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Prep for refinishing shellacked dining room table
I was gifted with a dining room table whose top is now worn enough that it's probably worth refinishing. Current evidence is that it's finished with shellac, though I need to make sure I'm not just ...
- 9,171
2
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1
answer
123
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Shellac on wet wood
I'm making a picture frame... (3 8x10 side by side with simulated barn doors on either side.
I'm using rough cut cypress wood that came from the sawmill and has a moisture content of 60%. I've planed ...
- 21
1
vote
2
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74
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Punky spots on a madrone/arbutus slab
I am currently working on a madrone live edge slab. My problem is that it has a few small spots where there's rot and the wood is punky.
The rotting has created some beautiful spalting but as I said,...
- 11
3
votes
1
answer
109
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Refurbishing Posts & Beams in a Modern 1954 House
I'm trying to refurbish the posts and beams in my house. They're quite beat up in some spots and have water damage streaks in the existing finish(es) in others, so I've decided to strip the existing ...
- 31
0
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0
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157
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How to get consistent glossiness in shellac finish repair
I've been repairing the shellac finish on paneling in my home, and some spots are coming out way too flat when dried. In this photo you can see how the glossiness isn't consistent, even though I ...
- 101
1
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2
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967
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How to smooth out grain texture from shellac?
I sanded the surface to 320 before applying shellac, it was quite smooth to the touch. Unfortunately, right away with the first shellac coat, a grain texture formed, worst in the darkest species. I ...
- 975
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1
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75
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Sealant recommendation for pen-holding box
I am about to start assembling a box
to stow away items that otherwise overrun a desk.
The box arrives in small pieces.
Before assembling, I'd like to apply some sealant so that it stays clean for ...
- 145
4
votes
2
answers
845
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Solvent for Shellac in California
Not quite a duplicate of What are the best substitutes when nothing labelled as "Denatured alcohol" can be found in your area?
For my sins, I live in California. California has completely ...
- 267
5
votes
2
answers
381
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Is shellac really a "universal binder"?
I recall reading that shellac is supposed to be a "universal" binder which can be used as an intermediate layer between otherwise incompatible layers of finish.
Say, for instance, you are refinishing ...
- 667
6
votes
3
answers
503
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What is an efficient way to re-use jars containing old shellac for storing new shellac?
I have a handful of glass jars of shellac (mixed up from flakes & denatured alcohol) that are now past their expiry date. Some of the shellac is still fluid, some of them just have a tiny amount ...
- 425
1
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3
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7k
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making shellac darker / tinting shellac
I’m finishing pine with amber dewaxed shellac (with a brush). I was hoping it would impart to the pieces the same color as the flakes after a few coats, but it’s still looking too yellow for my taste ...
- 1,619
1
vote
1
answer
1k
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Choice of sanding sealer to avoid blotching (shellac vs cellulose)
I am working on a table that is made out of maple. I would like to apply a stain but maple is a timber that is prone to blotching so am considering using a sanding sealer before staining to reduce the ...
- 173
2
votes
2
answers
71
views
Restore to originality
I would like to restore a 1946 lane coffee table to the original. Was the original finish lacquer or shellac?
If no one knows I will go with lacquer over a shellac base.
5
votes
1
answer
804
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Applying finish over furniture repair wax
I have a panel made from recycled lumber - there are a number of 10mm holes from some sort of fixtures in the woods previous life. These are not nail holes, but clean drilled out holes. I'm not ...
- 1,045
1
vote
1
answer
66
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Painted board coated with shellac
My painted board has 2 coats of shellac & has dried for 2 days. But when I place a piece of décor on it, it leaves a mark.
- 19
3
votes
3
answers
4k
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What are the best substitutes when nothing labelled as "Denatured alcohol" can be found in your area?
In the process of replacing methanol solvents (methyl hydrate) in my shop with arguably less toxic ethanol-based "denatured alcohol", I've encountered difficulty in finding any product labelled ...
- 1,619
6
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2
answers
2k
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Is shellac that has been dissolved with methyl hydrate (methanol) toxic, once dry?
I've dissolved de-waxed shellac flakes in methyl hydrate (which contains methyl alcohol), and I would like to know if the alcohol retains some of its toxicity after it has dried. Intuitively it's so ...
- 1,619