What stains can I use under shellac / french polishing?

**TKO** · 20th April 2012, 11:38 PM

Hi, have read with interest the many ways you could use a french polish over different stains, I have used nearly every type of paint and stain under shellac,

I had a hobby e few years back Graining the metal work on Vintage cars,This was on metal mostly, the parts would come to me repaired and primed in auto primer.I would depending on what type of wood finish they wantedI would some times use auto colour or oil colour for the back ground work, then grain in oil stain,when thorouly dry would over grain in water,using a talc dusting to over come the oil ,then two thin coats of shellac when again dry,have used water ,oil, and lacquer finish,What I am saying is that if you spray the shellac on you will not disturb the stains, But using a brush or rubber to apply the shellac you will lift the previous coat, spray the shellac on you can just about seal off most of the different stain's.when you french pollish
You should not bedisturbing the shellac because you will be buildind the coats up.

For instance painters knotting which is laquer based is used to hold back weeping knots in the timber,also will seal water stains on ceiling and walls.I have put apic in to show how the different paints are protected by the lacquer just my thoughts .

**berntd** · 21st April 2012, 10:48 AM

Hello TKO

Thank you for that. It makes total sense that the stain will not be disturbed much if the shellace is sprayed on.

Luckily I haven't started yet because of other comitments (work!) and the weather.

I think I will do it like that. i have the necessary equpiment (compressor / gun etc) to spray.

I have never sprayed shellac before and I wonder if there is anything one needs to know?

Best regards
Bernt

**TKO** · 22nd April 2012, 08:05 PM

Hi berntd, Some thing I should of mentioned ,was I always used dewaxed french polish over any oil stain i used to seal off the work, I did make a lot of use of white polish or white shellac as some called it and it sprays ok some french polishes, if been around awhile become quite thick and if left for a long time the wax sinks to the bottom and when stired gets messy,no need for thick coats two or three thin ones is best, wash the spray gear out with meths when finished,

This is what I do, it is not every ones choice of solving your problem.

Good luck with your project look forward to seeing the finish.

Cheers Edwin

**RETIRED** · 23rd April 2012, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by

You can mix to get whatever colour you like and control the level of tint.

A little goes a long way and you can dilute as well.

They will dye the wood provided you get back to bare timber.

If however you are looking for a stain that will go over an existing finish, the only way I know is to mix a compatible stain with your finish.

For example we have mixed Wattyl Craftsmen with NC lacquer to obtain a colour match on a damaged cabinet. Not nice but it worked.

Meant to add that this was sprayed on.

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