Prepping wood for shellac

[Nick Decker]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I couldn't find anything on it. I'm new to shellac, and need to know what I should use to clean a project before applying shellac. I usually wipe down with mineral spirits before applying poly or varnish, to clean off finger grease, etc. Is that OK for shellac too, or should I use something else?

I should maybe add that I'm only using the shellac as a sealer and color toner, it won't be the final top coat.

Thanks!

[Dennis Peacock]

Shellac seal coat should be dewaxed so another finish will stick to the seal coat. Wiping down with mineral spirits before the seal coat is fine and is what I do but I also let it air dry after wiping for about an hour before I put on the shellac. That's just what I do.

[Jim Becker]

Mineral spirits is fine (and cheap) and generally evaporates away. You can also just use alcohol since it's what you'll be using with the shellac anyway.

[Nick Decker]

Thanks, guys, kinda what I figured. I'm using a dewaxed garnet that I mixed up a few days ago. Just waiting on a brush from Amazon, and I think I'm good to go. I did pad some on some walnut and red oak scraps yesterday and it really warmed things up nicely.