Quote Originally Posted by Stan Calow View Post
Aren't many of the sanding sealers (and primers) basically shellac?
I use both shellac and lacquer based sanding sealers on wood turnings, depending. I usually thin, depending on the wood and the reason for the sealer. (Sanding sealer appears to be thinned finish anyway.)

I don't stain so I have nothing to say about that except if I did stain I'd first try it both ways on sanded pieces of exactly the same wood, both side and end grain. I dislike unpleasant surprises.