Query on using EEE with Hard Shellac

[eddo1a]

Hi,

I purchased some EEE and Hard Shellac after attending an expo workshop last year. It's taken a while to get around to my first project but I've made a side table out of reclaimed red gum and blue gum.

I was intending to finish the table with Hard Shellac, having buffed the table top with EEE but in looking at the Product Info sheets I noted that EEE might not be appropriate to use under non wax products, but that it could be used on top of the finish (Hard Shellac) to "finish the finish".

If I am reading this correctly, am I risking my project applying EEE after a number of Hard Shellac coats?

I'm just starting to test on scrap, but any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

[Trav]

I use eee over shellac all the time. It's my favourite finish at the moment. Just make sure you cut your shellac if you're a beginner. I start with 1/8, then 1/4, then 1/2 strength. I work my way up through these strengths, sanding after the 1/8 coat (lightly only to remove raised grain). They dry so quickly you can do many coats in a day, which is one of the biggest benefits of shellac.

Then, once you've applied enough shellac, I rub on some eee and buff it with a swansdown mop held in a cordless drill. Works a treat. Feels great and still looks like timber.

Trav

[Chesand]

I use eee over shellac all the time. It's my favourite finish at the moment. Just make sure you cut your shellac if you're a beginner. I start with 1/8, then 1/4, then 1/2 strength. I work my way up through these strengths, sanding after the 1/8 coat (lightly only to remove raised grain). They dry so quickly you can do many coats in a day, which is one of the biggest benefits of shellac.

Then, once you've applied enough shellac, I rub on some eee and buff it with a swansdown mop held in a cordless drill. Works a treat. Feels great and still looks like timber.

Trav

I do the same when using Hard Shellac and never been disappointed. The 1/8 acts as a sanding sealer and you need only about 400grit to sand off the raised grain. You can use out of date shellac to cut for the 1/8 - saves wasting it.

[ubeaut]

G'day Dave

As Trav and Chesand said above. That's pretty well the best way to go,.

I was intending to finish the table with Hard Shellac, having buffed the table top with EEE but in looking at the Product Info sheets I noted that EEE might not be appropriate to use under non wax products, if you have used EEE first then you have to remove all traces of it before applying the shellac as it may cause a problem with the finish delaminating from the table top. Not so critical with shellac but with poly or most other finishes it could be a big problem. To remove the wax portion of the EEE use mineral turpentine and clean soft dry rag. but that it could be used on top of the finish (Hard Shellac) to "finish the finish".

If I am reading this correctly, am I risking my project applying EEE after a number of Hard Shellac coats? Do not use EEE between coats of shellac or before. You need to use the EEE as the final thing after all the shellac has dried off. It works as a cut and polish.

Following the info above by Trav should give a really amazing finish. I would use 1200 grit to sand with after the sanding sealer 1/8 coat and don't sand rather than lightly wipe the abrasive over the surface. Sanding may go through the sealer and tear the grain again. Once the wipe over with 1200 grit is done give the entire surface a vipe over wit clean soft cloth to remove any fine dust particles.

Hope this is of a bit more help.

Cheers - Neil

[eddo1a]

Thanks guys,

I really appreciate the tips.

Cheers
Dave