Hello all, I tried searching on this but just got more confused!
I've built a low cherry bookcase to go in the family room. The top is the perfect hight to put down a drink or coffee cup, but I expect this to be minimal and coasters to be used. One section will be for cookbooks and this will get frequent use.
I've applied two coats of heated BLO and wiped off after 10-15 minutes and I really like the color. I want to put a finish on that will look and feel good, but be difficult for me to mess up. I'm considering a thinned varnish wiped on, shellac, or rattle cans of those two or lacquer.
I've done test pieces with BLO and varnish, and BLO and shellac. So far, I like the shellac. However, many of the posts I've read call for BLO, then Shellac, then varnish.
What is the advantage of the shellac under the varnish? Is is just to prevent the BLO from bleeding into the varnish? Will just shellac be enough protection for this application? Do I really need two finishes? Is there an advantage to the lacquer?
What are the pro's/con's of the rattle cans for shellac/varnish/lacquer?
Thanks for the input,
Robb