Q: When I mix shellac from flakes, it makes a clear solution. I bought my first Zinsser shellac in the can and it is not clear. It looks like a suspension of something. Why? A: In its natural state, shellac contains about 5% wax, and it is that wax that makes the solution cloudy. It [...]
Q: Should I be able to remove 400 grit sanding scratches coming through on a French polished shellac coating by further polishing? Will an alcohol and mineral oil mix worked vigorously over the surface for a period of time eventually polish out these residual scratches or should go I back to 600 grit paper? A: [...]
Q: Would Mohawk Finisher’s Glaze be safe to use over shellac, spirit varnish and oil varnish, considering it contains methanol? A: Yes. The amount of methanol in the mixture is very low, and you would probably have no problems at all. About the worst that would happen is that it would bite more aggressively into [...]
Q: I have a room off my shop that I want to set up as a spray room. I only use shellac and spray it. Is shellac highly explosive when sprayed? A: Explosion potential is measured by LEL and UEL, or lower explosive limit and upper explosive limit, a measure of the amount of any [...]
Q: Is shellac sanding sealer appropriate under aerosol cans of paint? A: That depends on what you mean by shellac sanding sealer, and where the item will be used. Cans of liquid shellac typically have wax in them, which occurs naturally in shellac, and are not appropriate under some finishes. Zinsser SealCoat, which is actually [...]
Q: I just had one paint store employee tell me shellac is comfortable for old timers, but is not the best sealing product for sealing wood. A: That depends on whether we are talking about dewaxed shellac or shellac with the wax still in it. Shellac with wax in it, which is what is in [...]
Q: I’ve heard applying a wash coat of shellac underneath water based dye can reduce blotching on hard maple. Would you recommend this? A: No, for a lot of reasons, but we really need to start by cleaning up the terminology, since in this field, it is very specific. I think you mean water soluble dye, [...]
Q: After getting married, I picked up a piece of wood up here in Alaska and had all his family write a message on it. I am planning on adding a photograph with spray adhesive, then clear over it. Will the clear hurt the photograph, what should I use, and how should I apply it? [...]
Q: What is the best way to repair catalyzed polymer finishes on acoustic guitars? A: Polyester or UV cured finishes, either acrylic or polyester, are the most difficult to repair. There is a way to repair them with the same finish on them, but you must have a UV curing wand to do that. For [...]
Q: Can I dilute oil based polyurethane with something called Penetrol to make it easier to brush? A: You certainly can, but it is a whole lot cheaper and easier to dilute it with mineral spirits, and in this particular case, just that will probably give you the results you want. I find that virtually [...]
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