Thread: Applying shellac with a brush?

Hi

I always go with the grain, maybe the shellac is drying too fast hence the brush marks?

Al

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Hello all.

When applying dewaxed white shellac with a brush (camel hair mop) should you vary the direction of brush strokes between coats (or should they all be in the grain direction)?

I’m attempting my first shellac and wax finish on a jarrah veneered cabinet and I’ve put weak sealing coat on, sanded lightly with 1200 grit, then applied one 50/50 coat. I’ve ended up with slight streak marks over most of the work from the slight overlap between brush strokes - probably my poor technique. Before I stuff it up I was wondering if the subsequent coats should be all in the same direction and if the streaks will even out with additional coats, or if I should alternate with a coat across the grain or something…?

Any words of wisdom much appreciated.
Cheers,
Gibbo.

Gibbo, as a general guide, brushmarks are a sign of insufficient thinner. Try a sample piece with a bit more alcohol in the mix, this should give it a little more time to flow and level.

(note that I am not an expert in shellac, but am passing on something I read a while ago)

I've only used shellac on smallprojects like jewellery boxes but I had lots of problems with it untili cut it to 50% and then applied it with a pad (just a soft cloth bunched up a bit). Lots of thin coats (maybe 4 or 5) with a very light 1200 grit sand just prior to the final coat. Use a tack cloth after sanding so you get all the dust off. Try this on a small section or large offcut first.

After all that I finished by using EEE polish and it comes up a treat.

[QUOTE=Gumby]... applied it with a pad (just a soft cloth bunched up a bit). QUOTE]

Sounds quite like the application method for French Polish, or am I mis-remembering () something?

Cheers!,

[QUOTE=Auld Bassoon]

Originally Posted by Gumby

... applied it with a pad (just a soft cloth bunched up a bit). QUOTE]

Sounds quite like the application method for French Polish, or am I mis-remembering () something?

Cheers!,

sort of, but nowhere near as hard. Yu just wipe it on very thinly. That way you don't get any brush marks. Shellac dries so damn quick it isn't easy with a brush in my opinion. Unless it's diluted, it's bl**dy near impossible.

Hi Gumby,

I see that you're now sporting Major's contribution to your avatar collection...

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

Hi Gumby,

I see that you're now sporting Major's contribution to your avatar collection...

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Gibbo

I’ve ended up with slight streak marks over most of the work from the slight overlap between brush strokes - probably my poor technique.

If you're using a good polisher's mop then it would just be technique. Maybe thin your polish down a bit and use longer and quicker strokes along, not across, the grain.

If you get brush marks rub them back between coats with fine steel wool in a circular fashion, not up and down or across, this will remove the brushmarks without removing your coat and the next one will build on it.


Peter.

Cut the 50/50 by 50% and try that. The mop should be loaded with shellac but not dripping.. Start with light stroke using just the tip of the brush then as the reservoir of polish in the brush lessens start laying the brush bown so as to get more of it on the surface of the work.

If you have used Industrial Meths for the thinner you can add a minute amount of turps to the shellac and this will somewhat, stop the showing of witness lines (brush marks). However, you will need to allow a longer drying time if you do this.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers - Neil

Thanks heaps for your help guys. Armed with your suggestions and technique tips I had another bash. I thinned the polish even further and tried most of the above suggestions and it worked a treat! I think I was being a bit too slow and careful before and on the larger surfaces the shellac was drying before the next brush pass causing those overlap lines.

Now just need to give it a light sand and finish with EEE.

Thanks again for your help.
Gibbo.