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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Lake George NY
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    157

    Poly over Shellac

    I am building a built in for a entrance way in my house. It will have
    a bench for sitting when putting on shoes, cabinets and coats hooks
    on a maple plywood wall over the bench with some figured maple
    rails & stiles. I have used some blo with a touch of stain and shellac
    to seal. I really like the way it looks right now,but am afriad the
    shellac won't be durable enough. The shellac can says not to use
    with poly,but I have read that many people do. Whats the scoop ?
    Can I poly over it,or should I use varnish ? Any other suggestions ?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Philadelphia, Pa
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    2,266
    Rick,
    Welcome to SMC.

    If the shellac is dewaxed, then you should be OK, but if not, then you may/will have a problem with adhesion. If you used premixed shellac, and it was not Zinzer Seal Coat, then it was likely a waxed shellac. My impression is that the Sealcoat is the only premixed shellac that is dewaxed.
    Alan Turner
    Philadelphia Furniture Workshop

  3. #3
    You can use lacquer (deft is a good choice) over shellac and it will give you pretty good protection.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    NW Indiana
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    1,050
    Welcome John, It's nice to have someone close by on the forum.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Conway, Arkansas
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    13,181
    Rick,

    If it was Dewaxed Shellac, you can topcoat with pretty much whatever clearcoat you would like to apply. If it was waxed shellac? The shellac is your finish of choice. I always use dewaxed shellac.
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Livermore, CA
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    831
    water based poly sticks to non-dewaxed shellac. Oil-based poly doesn't do so well.

    IME, shellac is quite a durable finish...and the good thing about it is that ease to repair, unlike polyurethane. If you want more durabilty than shellac while maintaining ease in repairability, I'd go with lacquer. What you want is a finish that 'burns in' with previous coats. This property makes for an easily repaired finish.
    Tim


    on the neverending quest for wood.....

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Southport, NC
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    3,147
    Tim, I think you will find that waterborne finishes have even less adhesion to shellac containing wax than oil based poly.

    The general rule is not to overcoat wax containing shellac with any waterborne finish or an oil based poly varnish.
    Howie.........

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Lake George NY
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    157
    I used Zinsser clear premixed. I thought that it was dewaxed.
    I read it on their web sight. ( I think). Is varnish a good choice?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Lake George NY
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    157
    Just checked their site agian. Its only their seal that is wax free.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    SE PA - Central Bucks County
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    Rick, you can use an alkyd or phenolic varnish over the shellac you used with no problem, or add an application of de-waxed shellac over the existing shellac if you want to use polyurethane varnish for your finish.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Southport, NC
    Posts
    3,147
    As Jim said, you can use a non-poly varnish over the shellac with no problem. While the superior abrasion resistance of a poly varnish will have some benefit in your application, you will lose little if you use a non-poly varnish. Non-poly varnishes are clearer and make a nicer finish too.
    Howie.........

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