peggy
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Post by peggy on Sept 17, 2014 17:15:11 GMT -8
Cheri, how many coats of shellack? Any final sealer or wax?
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 17, 2014 19:35:57 GMT -8
Cheri, how many coats of shellack? Any final sealer or wax? I recommend that you don't put anything other than shellac on shellac. Shellac is very easy to repair in case of scratches as long as you don't put anything else over it. Besides the whole idea is the shellac. Not a wax or other type of polish. The shellac itself is the finish.
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cheri
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Post by cheri on Sept 18, 2014 12:04:48 GMT -8
Hi Peggy, I am just a beginner, but I'll tell you what I learned I don't have a sprayer so, for the first section I tried, I followed the directions and use undiluted Bulls Eye amber shellac with a very expensive brush. I ended up with drips, sags and frustration. So, I disregarded the label and cut the shellac 50:50 with alcohol and put on Lots of thin coats with a staining pad and foam brushes. If you lay it on thin, with a pad or foam brush, you can put on several thin coats about 5 min apart. Stop when it starts to drag or get sticky. Wait for it to dry completely, (overnight) sand with a 220 grit or finer sand paper and add repeat the thin coats. I did this until I got the depth of color that I liked. Then I switched to clear shellac to get more shine. I only diluted the clear 1 part alcohol to 3 parts shellac. Using this technique I got very few drips or sags. One thing I didn't think about when I started, is that shellac is kind of like paint in that different cans can give you different colors. Doors that were made from the same piece of plywood, looked totally different. One can was much less orange than the others. I eventually figured this out and got everything close. Another trick I learned is to match different pieces or even species of wood, you can lay stain on between layers of shellac. I bought several really small cans of different colors of stain. I put a thin layer of shellac on to prevent blotching and then added layers of stain and shellac. It's hard to tell the old from the new. Varathane brand traditional pecan was one I really like. So, now the pros can tell you how it is really supposed to be done. Cheri
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 18, 2014 12:13:13 GMT -8
Cheri as long as you use alcohol based ingredients it's ok to mix with shellac. Old shellac can be brought back up to a new shine by just rubbing on it with denatured alcohol. That's why it is so repairable. I Tried the pad method for application and found that I liked the brush method better but that is a personal preference. Shellac is something that takes practice and there are a lot of different ways to apply it and work with it. There's even the "French Polish" method for a deep mirror finish but man that's a lot of work. It's just like spit shining your shoes but it's the whole inside of a trailer instead. I like your method of mixing. I generally go with about 20% alcohol to shellac mix myself but I've had a lot of practice. Two coats of amber is all I usually need and then go with 3 to 4 coats of clear. Some people also mix clear and amber together for a lighter amber. Doesn't look so red that way. I love hearing all the different tricks to using shellac so I think everyone should experiment and when something works, please post it and show the results. This forum rocks...
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peggy
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Post by peggy on Sept 18, 2014 18:37:39 GMT -8
Oh thank you both so much for your experienced advice! I have never worked with shellac, and it seems a little daunting.
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cheri
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Post by cheri on Sept 19, 2014 3:42:41 GMT -8
Peggy,
Shellac is really super cool, and not scary. I think you would get runs and drips trying to put any finish on walls and ceilings, and as Mobile Tech mentioned, Shellac is pretty easy to fix. I used to do a lot of furniture refinishing, and I wish that I knew about shellac back then.
Also, Shellac is actually resistant to water, (white rings happen if you wax it and then get it wet) sticks to just about anything (even paint) and is super easy to clean up. If you get splatters on the floor or even your clothes, it comes out with alcohol. Rock hard brushes-no problem soak em in alcohol.
Have no fear. Start with a less noticeable area and experiment to figure out what works for you! Try working at different temps too. Mornings and evenings worked best for me this summer. I found the wood finishing to be the most fun and rewarding part of the entire project.
Now I'm using up the leftovers by shellacking all my tool handles, and warn out finishes around my 160 year old farm house.
Shellac Rocks!! Cheri
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peggy
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Post by peggy on Sept 19, 2014 14:57:31 GMT -8
Ok Cheri! I'm in for the long run with shellac! We are testing colors in the next couple of days. I need to pin that down before I select the flooring. I certainly appreciate all your information ....and contagious enthusiasm!
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lalaland
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Post by lalaland on Oct 26, 2014 6:38:47 GMT -8
that is an amazing job! my trailer has all fake wood paneling type on the cabinetry and worse yet, some kind of cardboardy paneling with an ornate curlyque pattern....I loved seeing yours. Trying to get up the nerve to go with wood.
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cheri
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Post by cheri on Oct 26, 2014 8:57:06 GMT -8
Thanks,
Starting with a trailer that is not a valuable classic can be a really good thing. You learn a lot, and just about anything you do is an improvement. Knowing that I wasn't "ruining" a classic by customizing it for my own use made the project more fun.
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Post by vintagebruce on Oct 26, 2014 10:58:54 GMT -8
This is the kind of thread that will make folks looking for a birch wood beauty look twice at a canned ham that has been glamped. It also should make a few second gen Compact owners take note. If it is time to freshen up that interior, don't discount changing over to birch wood. Nice project!
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Oct 26, 2014 17:03:08 GMT -8
This is the kind of thread that will make folks looking for a birch wood beauty look twice at a canned ham that has been glamped. It also should make a few second gen Compact owners take note. If it is time to freshen up that interior, don't discount changing over to birch wood. Nice project! Shshshsh! I'm tempted to pull out the paneling in the second gen and birch it but somebody will kill me if I do. Debating on whether to paint he paneling or live with it as is since it is not in bad shape and was era correct.
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Post by vintagebruce on Oct 26, 2014 17:22:11 GMT -8
OK,OK...mumm's the word, I won't tell anyone!
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superdave
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Post by superdave on Oct 26, 2014 18:28:24 GMT -8
very nice!
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