Advice for a rookie?

[Walesey]

I do not know a lot about finishing. Up until now, I have never produced anything that was not made of Radiata Pine and finished with Wattyl Estapol.

My latest project is a clock case for an old mantle clock mechanism that I managed to get working. Again, my "Timber of Budget" (as opposed to "Timber of CHOICE") has been Radiata pine (The best that Bunnings could sell!) I have lashed out and bought a small tub of Shellac flakes and some Spirit based Wallnut stain in an attempt to break away from the Good ol' Estapol.

Now, where do I start?

Should I stain the wood then apply a sealing coat of thinned down shellac, or should I seal the wood and then sand it before staining it?
Would I get a less mottlie finish if I added the stain to the shellac mixture and applied them both together? (seeing as they are both spirit based?

I gather that the idea is to apply several coats of shellac with a brush, then and lightly sand it, and then finish with several coats applied with a rag. Is this right? (I've never done the rag thing, so am a little nervous about that!) Then polish with wax? Is that the idea?

Am I really going down the right path here, or should I have just stuck with Estapol, which I know?

Any advice or tips will be appreciated.

Walesey

[joez]

If you havent heard of it, check out A Polishers Handbook

Its written by the people who run this website, it will answer all your questions, and some you havent even thought of yet lol.

If your keen to make a start, I would try a light wash coat of shellac then apply stain followed by regular coats of Shellac.

good luck


joez