I'm getting close to beginning the finish on my double dresser, I have a few questions.
1. I plan on spraying a shellac finish. should I spray on a finish on the underside of the top?
2. Do need to spray the inside of the cabinet? How about the underside of the cabinet?
3. Should I spray the drawers?

Thanks guys.

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

I feel that by finishing the inside and underside of the cabinet helps to balance out moisture intake. As a result that will decrease warping/splitting.

As far as finishing the drawers I just think it gives a better appearance and easier to clean.

These are just my own feelings and preferences. They may or may not be right. Proceed with caution.

I totally agree with Bud. Finish all surfaces. It will keep moisture loss more even from both surfaces and it will give your product a much more finished look.

Bruce

I agree. The wife will appreciate finished drawers as well!!!

Thanks guys. input is well received. I always thought it was needless to finish the drawers. The last few projects I've done i didn't finish the drawers. I did run into a situation where I finished the drawers and they didn't fit afterwards.

I'll just spray 1-2 coats of finish on the drawers. That will keep the finish thin and not cause the drawers to get jacked up.

I should change the thread name to "Barry's adventures in spraying shellac". I started to spray the finish today. I'm using zinnsers amber shellac. Finishing the inside of the cabinet is a PAIN!!!!!! not enought room to get the gun on the inside, so I made a few light coats as best I could. To me it looks striped. Is there an easy or easier way to spray the interior?

I mixed up some buttonlac flakes but there a glob of goo in the bottom of the jar. obviously the flakes may have expired, can I still use it? on the stirring stick it is drying but there's that goo.

I've heard conflicting reports on the age of raw shellac and how it dissolves. I use all different types of shellac in just about every form and for me it's always been about the proof of the alcohol and or the amount you stir your container. I've always been able to get 99% of the shellac to dissolve by stirring and agitation. Generally breaking up the shellac with a coffee grinder helps as well.

I have had a couple of batches not dry properly but it's always been because it was mixed up in liquid form for too long and not because of the age of the flake.

Supposedly the fresher the flake is the quicker the shellac will dry but honestly I've never actually noted a difference while polishing. Or if I did have issues I never attributed the problems to the age of the shellac. Keep in mind that I go through pounds of the stuff a month as well so it doesn't exactly sit around my shop either.

I wouldn't worry about for the interior either way. Try brushing it as well if spraying isn't an option or simply pad it on.

Brian, thanks for the insight. I used 4oz of flake to 16oz of denatured alcohol (lowes brand). I'm thinking the alcohol is the culprit. I'm picking up some everclear on the way home. give that a shot on that goo. I've had that flake for 3 years in the cabinet away from heat and light, I'm with you I don't see how it can go bad. . I mean it's dried up. it wasn't clumped up at all.

I'm debating whether to fill the pores or not. I sprayed on quite a few coats on everything yesterday. I went thru 1.5 quarts of shellac in 2 hours. I was a spraying fool! I know I need some work on set up and technique. I'm trying the best I know. I'll put some pictures up tonight.

The stuff at Lowes is about the worst stuff available. In a pinch the klean strip stuff at Home Depot works better but most of us in the business order 190-200 proof stuff. I get mine from Benco. http://bencosales.com/store/index.php

The stuff at the liquor store will work as well if you only need a bit at a time.



"I sprayed on quite a few coats on everything yesterday. I went thru 1.5 quarts of shellac in 2 hours. I was a spraying fool!"

Now you're going to have to be a sanding fool to smooth all of that out!!!!

Isn't that what they make jitterbugs for

BTW, I'm thinning the shellac 50-50, is that too thin?

I tried that link, but couldn't find the alcohol.

Paul
the puzzled little guy

Just ask for the R105 Alcohol. It may not be listed on his site but he hasn't updated it in years.

It's a 200 proof alcohol that's great for mixing your own shellac with for either polishing by hand, brushing or spraying.

His phone number is 800-632-3626. I think I pay around $75 for 5 gallons but at least half of that is for shipping hazardous chemicals via ground shipping through UPS or FED EX. If you mix your own shellac it's money well spent.

It sounds like a good place to start. I generally start thin and get a bit thicker with each coat to avoid burning through and getting lifting. It seems if the mix is a little less hot it lays down better for me but that could also just be my equipment, mix and how I work.

Generally though I only spray the first coat and then I switch to either lacquer on kitchen or high traffic pieces and hand polishing for the fine stuff.

It's really all about the final sanding and waxing anyway no matter how you get there. Spend your time on this last step and you'll get that hi shine satin glow without being glossy that's so desirable.

Barry -

I use as 1 lb cut on the project first. Its a quick wash to help seal it. Soaks in and drys quick. Then I use a 2 lb cut for the rest of the Project. Depending on how I feel and the look I'm going for its a total of 5 coats (on the outside and 2 on the inside and drawers). Then apply a fine coat of wax. Use a color wax to go with the finished color of the project.

I think the drawers look good with 2 coats, then hit the sides and slides with a lite coat of wax. For the inside nobody is going to see it and the 2 coats will provide a nice protection.

Yesterday before I sprayed on my last coat I noticed one of the drawers had a ding in the front, where and how it got there i don't know but I was livid!! (there are other words I would have liked to use, but this is a public place). Anyhow, broke out the iron and wet rag and steamed out most of it, but there was on tiny part that just would come out. I tried something I've heard about, never tried before. Shellac and sanding dust. mixed it up, packed it in as best I could. let it dry for 4 hours, sanded smooth. worked out better than I expected. I did put a dab of dye to get the color right, but that's it.