Finishing with shellac???

[Frodo]

G'day All,
My first post. I'm a tradesman but a new chum to woodworking.
Building a blanket box for SWMBO out of old pine floorboards to get the well-used look. Project says to finish with 3 coats of "natural" shellac to get an old burnished orange look then polish with "black" furniture wax. I've sanded the boards back some but not enough to get all the old Varnish/estapol or whatever off.
Q 1: Will the shellac be OK over the existing finish or do I have to get it all off?
Q 2: What would the old finish be?
Q 3: Which shellac do I use? (natural, White, Hard)
Cheers
Frodo
P.S. I think this forum is great for us new to woodworking. there is a wealth of experience out there to be tapped.

[durwood]

Shellac is Ok for putting on your project, it is often used when suspect finishes are present to seal them off as the solvent (metho) isn't strong enough to attack paint.

Just make sure the surface is dry and clean and it will work.

Which one to use, depends how good a job and what you are trying to finish up with, as you have said some of the old finish is still present I would thing just the normal basic cheapest "Natural" Shellac you can get would be good enough. If you need something different or better than maybe the sanding need to be done more.

[RufflyRustic]

Hi Frodo,

Welcome to the best forum around (IMHO)

Personally, I'd go the Hard Shellac but make sure you dilute it with pure 100% Metho first - See UBeaut's Book of Finishing for the relevant info and other great and relevant finishing techniques.

Looking forward to pictures.

Cheers
Wendy

[Frodo]

Thanks guys,
Your info was was just the ticket!
Applied 6-7 coats of natural (orange) shellac & the chest came up a treat. Finished with dark furniture wax & it looks great.
Best of all....SWMBO was wrapped with the finished product.(birthday pressy) May soften the blow a little when she reads the CC statement. (I purchased a few tools to help with the project.)
Frodo

[Auld Bassoon]

May soften the blow a little when she reads the CC statement. (I purchased a few tools to help with the project.)
Frodo

Naturally!

[RufflyRustic]

Good One Frodo!!!

The birthday present should indeed soften the CC blow

cheers
Wendy

[Wardy]

Thanks guys,
Your info was was just the ticket!
Applied 6-7 coats of natural (orange) shellac & the chest came up a treat. Finished with dark furniture wax & it looks great.
Best of all....SWMBO was wrapped with the finished product.(birthday pressy) May soften the blow a little when she reads the CC statement. (I purchased a few tools to help with the project.)
Frodo

hi frodo and welcome and with the tools you needed that's just positive thinking
cheers wardy