jodybitzz
Active Member
Posts: 238
Likes: 87
1968 Shasta 1500
Currently Offline
|
Post by jodybitzz on Jan 4, 2014 11:38:40 GMT -8
Do we need to sand our panels in between coats? We have new 4x8 panels and I sanded them all last weekend so we just started the shellac. We have 2 coats on now and we can see some lines where it is drying differently with the different grains of the wood. I will see if I can take a photo and post.
|
|
jodybitzz
Active Member
Posts: 238
Likes: 87
1968 Shasta 1500
Currently Offline
|
Post by jodybitzz on Jan 4, 2014 11:42:10 GMT -8
|
|
jodybitzz
Active Member
Posts: 238
Likes: 87
1968 Shasta 1500
Currently Offline
|
Post by jodybitzz on Jan 5, 2014 7:48:53 GMT -8
We watched your shellac videos last night and I have to say I am quite concerned with doing the 4x8 panel. Do you have any recommendations on how to make such a big piece of birch look even and techniques? We are located in NC and the weather is very cool/cold and low humidity this time of year so hopefully that will be on our side. It's pretty much the same. Use a 2 1/2 inch to 3 inch brush and just keep it wet... Always make your final stroke into the wet shellac. You are applying and finishing at the same time. Started on the shellac yesterday, posted a couple of pictures above. So far we have 3 coats of Amber do we need to sand the birch again and then apply the clear? Thank you Mobiltec!
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,821
Likes: 3,745
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on Jan 5, 2014 8:03:11 GMT -8
It's pretty much the same. Use a 2 1/2 inch to 3 inch brush and just keep it wet... Always make your final stroke into the wet shellac. You are applying and finishing at the same time. Started on the shellac yesterday, posted a couple of pictures above. So far we have 3 coats of Amber do we need to sand the birch again and then apply the clear? Thank you Mobiltec! OOOoooo that looks nice Jody... I would give it a very light sanding with something like 600 grit just to even it out a bit. Then apply two coats of clear. I usually end up with 5 to 6 coats total. Usually 2 coats of amber and 3 to 4 coats of clear. Yours is looking very good.
|
|
John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 574
Currently Offline
|
Post by John Palmer on Jan 5, 2014 12:07:07 GMT -8
I saw mentioned above that you were going to try and match some of the existing paneling by adding more shellac. You need to first determine "if shellac was the original finish", or "if it was varnish". Shellac will not do well "over varnish" because it does not blend with varnish and just lays on top of the varnish. It will look cloudy when your done with varnish under it.
You can test the original finish by taking a rag soaked with denatured alcohol and rubbing the original finish. If it softens, and starts to remove the finish, then it was originally shellac and will take more shellac nicely. If it does not soften the original finish, it's varnish and will need to be chemically stripped if you dead set on using shellac.
Amber shellac makes different kinds and ages of wood look more alike. A couple of thin coats will work, then finish the next three coats in clear shellac. I like to sneak up on the color match by adjusting the number of coats of amber/clear that is used on the new and old wood to achieve a matched color. It's hard to completely refinish all your new wood, then think your going to be lucky and have the original wood match with a coat of shellac.
|
|
jodybitzz
Active Member
Posts: 238
Likes: 87
1968 Shasta 1500
Currently Offline
|
Post by jodybitzz on Jan 6, 2014 6:38:46 GMT -8
Started on the shellac yesterday, posted a couple of pictures above. So far we have 3 coats of Amber do we need to sand the birch again and then apply the clear? Thank you Mobiltec! OOOoooo that looks nice Jody... I would give it a very light sanding with something like 600 grit just to even it out a bit. Then apply two coats of clear. I usually end up with 5 to 6 coats total. Usually 2 coats of amber and 3 to 4 coats of clear. Yours is looking very good. Thank you, Mobiltec! We watched your videos twice and were still a little nervous with the first panel. By the third panel we seemed to get the rhythm down and it looked much better than the first. We had to stop so we have yet to do the lite sanding and the clear coats but will show you when we get to it. Also, you had said not to do the panels for where the curves are going because it may crack, correct? I sure do wish I was made of money because I would hire you to come help!
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,821
Likes: 3,745
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on Jan 6, 2014 7:42:45 GMT -8
The shellac has a tendency to check or crack when you bend it around the radius. So save those for after installation.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jan 6, 2014 22:11:33 GMT -8
I've never had trouble with the shellac cracking on the "curvy" panels. Painting shellac over your head is a PAIN.
Our temps are mild here so that may make a difference...
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,821
Likes: 3,745
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on Jan 7, 2014 7:29:40 GMT -8
That very well could be Vikx. And yes, painting shellac over your head is not fun at all. Perhaps if one put only two coats of shellac on prior to installation and then the final coats after? Could work.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jan 7, 2014 22:54:05 GMT -8
I sand lightly, apply two coats, sand again and a third. No problems....
You might be right; the thicker the shellac, the more apt to crack. Ah, the learning curve...
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,821
Likes: 3,745
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on Jan 8, 2014 13:38:57 GMT -8
The humidity and temperature probably also has something to do with it. If you know how to hold the brush, much less will run down your arm. I've gotten pretty good at it myself but I've had a lot of practice...
|
|