1958 Shasta "Penny"
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1958 Shasta Airflyte 16
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Post by 1958 Shasta "Penny" on Jul 31, 2013 13:52:08 GMT -8
I started practicing my shellac-ing skills, or lack thereof. The left piece is a scrap of the new birch and right is an old scrap piece from the trailer. It has a lot more grain than the new stuff. Plus, it has like a light white wash to it. Not sure how I'm going to be able to match up the look to it. Ugh. I used Amber Shellac. Are there any other products that might be better? This is going to be a real PITA.
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Post by universalexports on Jul 31, 2013 15:21:25 GMT -8
first color match is important, I have had to mix amber and clear together to get just the right shade, or maybe 1 coat of amber then use clear over it for a few extra coats. trial and error. shellac is horrible if it is humid,
I use a folded up square of cloth wrapped with a piece of bigger cloth (T-shirt material) I lay it on in rows pretty fast it dries quick. it just takes some practice.
the birch from the big box stores is horrible, you get better wood, more grain, less voids, and knots from the better stores or cabinet shops.
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1958 Shasta "Penny"
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Posts: 167
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1958 Shasta Airflyte 16
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Post by 1958 Shasta "Penny" on Jul 31, 2013 17:22:39 GMT -8
We got the lumber from Ganahl Lumber which is where contractors get it, not at a big box store.
Thanks for the advice. Will keep at it....
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Post by vikx on Jul 31, 2013 23:04:37 GMT -8
First of all, the original panels are ASH, not birch. That's why the grain is different. Ash plywood is very expensive, but available. Oak ply is less money and a little closer in grain; stay away from red oak.
Amber shellac is not the original color. Most trailers have clear shellac that yellows with age. Very hard to replicate the patina. Amber comes into play when you want to blend old and new. Many vintage trailers have different woods in the cabinets, panels and drawers. Amber pulls it all together with an orange and darker glow.
Shellac does not like heat. It's very fast drying. If you are hand painting it, early morning or very late.. Blend and stroke quickly to prevent build ups.
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kirkadie
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'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
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Post by kirkadie on Aug 1, 2013 5:00:38 GMT -8
Only use dewaxed shellac. Wax in shellac allows moisture to creep in. The only dewaxed shellac big box stores sell is Zinnser seal coat @ about $20 at Lowes. It'll accept alcohol based tints if you want a more golden color but mix all you think you'll need at the same time cause it's hard to color match little batches. I use a 1 qt spray gun with real light coats about 30 minutes apart. Shooting sooner can 'melt into the previous coat and leave oversaturated darker areas. There's a very good article in the latest (Aug-2013)issue; good advice about brushing it on.
Kirk
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Post by kto17 on Aug 1, 2013 6:38:16 GMT -8
If you are looking for a high gloss finish, google "French Polish." It is a technique used by furniture refinishers, guitar makers, and violin makers. It's is not hard just time consuming, but the results are amazing even when you are a rookie. You still have to blend to get the colors you want. You cut the polish with denatured alcohol or grain alcohol and rub it on. Each layer dries really fast and you can do just a few or 20. It's up to you. The guitar and violin folks then take a buffer and polish it for a glass like shine. It is crazy.
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saphie113
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Post by saphie113 on Aug 1, 2013 15:24:09 GMT -8
If you are looking for a high gloss finish, google "French Polish." It is a technique used by furniture refinishers, guitar makers, and violin makers. It's is not hard just time consuming, but the results are amazing even when you are a rookie. You still have to blend to get the colors you want. You cut the polish with denatured alcohol or grain alcohol and rub it on. Each layer dries really fast and you can do just a few or 20. It's up to you. The guitar and violin folks then take a buffer and polish it for a glass like shine. It is crazy. Kto17- can I do that right on top of what I've got in my trailer? The wood looks like it has potential to be beautiful, but looks SO dry. I'm not sure what to put on it to make it look rich and glow like I know it can.
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Aug 12, 2013 5:52:14 GMT -8
If you are looking for a high gloss finish, google "French Polish." It is a technique used by furniture refinishers, guitar makers, and violin makers. It's is not hard just time consuming, but the results are amazing even when you are a rookie. You still have to blend to get the colors you want. You cut the polish with denatured alcohol or grain alcohol and rub it on. Each layer dries really fast and you can do just a few or 20. It's up to you. The guitar and violin folks then take a buffer and polish it for a glass like shine. It is crazy. Kto17- can I do that right on top of what I've got in my trailer? The wood looks like it has potential to be beautiful, but looks SO dry. I'm not sure what to put on it to make it look rich and glow like I know it can. The good thing about shellac is that it is desolved by more shellac. So you can blend in old with new. Always test in an inconspicuous area first.
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