brushed, about 4, i spray doors and windows outside, on those it winds up being 7 or 8 sprayed coats. i use the same varnish i use as a top coat as the seal coat. if i'm brushing i'll use a clear shellac coat to start with, since shellac is easier to brush over itself than over a slick varnished surface (runny). after i have the color i want i buff it all with steel wool, tack it, and then brush the varnish on top. i highly recommend the waterlox as a top coat btw, it levels exceptionally well when brushed on, it's about the most fool proof finished i've ever used (which i need, i'm far from patient or skilled when it comes to finishing things ).
Neal, You answered a thread I started yesterday about BLO vs shellac seal coat on long leaf pine. In your response you mentioned you are using garnet shellac on your long leaf doors and trim. How many coats are you doing and what are you using as a seal coat? Just interested to hear what another person in an almost identical situation is doing.
