Aust red cedar lacquer.

[simonflan]

I'm currently building a hall stand/hutch for my year 12 major.
My teacher has advised me to spray, now det generally only use some generic nitro-cell which gives an average finish.

Would anyone be able to advise on a good quality lacquer that is suitable for spraying and is reasonably hard wearing.

just a cad of my project

[Claw Hama]

Hi Simon
I wouldn't advise spraying. I have just finished an Aust Red Cedar desk and booksheves for a client. I put on two coats of shellac with a little stain (had to match an existing piece) and then two coats of Wipe on Poly satin (from Bunnings) really easy to apply both and looks great. You could go with one or the other too. Just shellac or just the polly. The first coat is the only one you have to be carefull of, get it nice and even, use a cloth pad and feather out any edges so you don't get any finish lines. Light sand after the first coat and on you go with more coats until you are happy with the finish. Using a cloth pad you don't get any runs, you get a nice even finish. Check out the last photo on my web site (under furniture) if you have any questions feel free to PM me or email.

[simonflan]

Hi Simon
I wouldn't advise spraying. I have just finished an Aust Red Cedar desk and booksheves for a client. I put on two coats of shellac with a little stain (had to match an existing piece) and then two coats of Wipe on Poly satin (from Bunnings) really easy to apply both and looks great. You could go with one or the other too. Just shellac or just the polly. The first coat is the only one you have to be carefull of, get it nice and even, use a cloth pad and feather out any edges so you don't get any finish lines. Light sand after the first coat and on you go with more coats until you are happy with the finish. Using a cloth pad you don't get any runs, you get a nice even finish. Check out the last photo on my web site (under furniture) if you have any questions feel free to PM me or email.

I would really like to french polish. but im just worried about getting into tight corners etc.
does the wipe on poly wear reasonably well.

[Claw Hama]

Yes bit of a hard item to start FP on, if you use the shellack give light sands between coats then your finish should be pretty good anyway. This is a good practice run for FP on an easier project without the tricky corners etc. It's almost the same process. If you take your time and be carefull you will still end up with beautifull finish. Yes wipe on poly wears as well as normal poly/estapol except you have to put more coats on because its not as thick.

(The rest of you finishers out there can chime in anytime too)

[AlexS]

...wipe on poly wears as well as normal poly/estapol except you have to put more coats on because its not as thick.

... and it doesn't finish up looking like it's been wrapped in glad wrap.
I'd go with Claw's recommendation - best for a good-looking, hard-wearing finish.

[simonflan]

Ok, great thanks for the advice. Ill post some pictures in the coming weeks of my progress.

[wheelinround]

Thanks Claw for this have a lidded box may require this sort of finish

[Claw Hama]

My pleasure Gentlemen, if you want to find the easiest way (and still get a good result) ask the laziest person. That'd be me, I don't want to do anymore work than I have too but still want the goods
Good luck with it Simon, looks like a nice roject.
U 2 Ray

[Robellis]

Claw
Many thanks for the information.
Would the process you recommend be any good for an oak stair hand rail?
Thanks
Rob

[Claw Hama]

Yes I would think so. The Shellac would give the Oak a nice glow and depth. Choice is your to wether you put wipe on poly over it or just use the shellac. Make sure you post us some pics when you're done.

[Claw Hama]

A lot of you guys would get some good use from our Benevilant Benifactors excellent book on finishing. A Polishers Handbook by Neil Ellis A Polishers Handbook this would be money well spent for many a woodworker. Neil has many DIY recipies and lots of great easy finishes and gives you all the tricks of the trade.

[Cruzi]

Spraying on pre-cat lacquers gives an excellent finish to red cedar and is easy as pie to do.
You can choose the level of gloss and number of coats as appropriate for desired effect, a good gloss finish actually gives a 3D effect to red cedar, where as a light matt finish gives the timber a "natural" look.