Dissolved shellac top coats: What's your procedure to final surface

[Joel Wesseling]

1)I grain fill and level sand and then apply 3 or 4 coats of dissovled shellac with a brush. It looks real even when wet.
2)I have to carefully dry sand(a little 320 then 600 abrenet) the top coat to get it flat. Looks pretty nice at this point with a nice consistant layer

3)Trying 1200, 2000,etc, wet sanding and experimenting with polish.

Problem is there is uneven clarity. not sure if it sanding marks or what.
The very top layer is has a consistant sheen.

Curious how some of you are taking on the final sanding and polishing of shellac surface?

Thanks in advance, Joel

[Scott Holmes]

Wet sanding with what as a lube?

You can pad shellac with a rag damp with denatured alcohol to smooth it.

As you know shellac is very hard and sanding is a chore.

The finest shellac finish is the thinnest posible coat that is flawless. Don't be tempted to build up a thick shellac coat as you can with lacquer and varnish. Shellac that is too thick will alligator and crack.

[Joel Wesseling]

Thanks

I thought the water was the lube?

"You can pad shellac with a rag damp with denatured alcohol to smooth it".
I'll try this. So far I've been afraid of it

Sprayed a small project with satin poly yesterday. Dont like the look as much as shellac
Wondering about high gloss poly and then dulling it to get satin..

Thanks again. trying to pay attention to more of your tricks

Joel

[glenn bradley]

IMHO poly always has that plastic look. Great for flooring, not for furnishings.