Covering Cedar with spray Lacquer

[Donny Lawson]

I like using spray lacquer but with my Cedar projects they seem to be a little splotchy. Shinny in some spots and nothing in other spots. Is there something to put on Cedar to make it shine all over? I was thinking about sanding sealer. Would that work or what would you use?

[Steve Mawson]

I use gloss sanding sealer 50/50 with lacquer thinner while it is still on the lathe. Then go to the spray lacquer.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Donny I always give my cedar a coat or two of shellac before using lacquer. I use a lot of cedar when making peppermills and have excellent luck with this.

[Prashun Patel]

Donny, you will get even sheen if you put on a few more coats of the lacquer; it is a sanding sealer itself. The stuff in spray cans is usually extremely thin, so it requires many coats to get an even sheen.

Using shellac or a vinyl or other sanding sealer is fine, but it just complicates the process, IMHO.