just a quick shellac question

[gordonmt]

I am planning on sealing a bunch of maple using spray on shellac before finishing with Urethane. Is this OK to do? I've not done this before and just wanted to check with my comrades before I start this.

 

[PChristy]

Mark, from what I have read and heard the shellac is a great sealer befor you put your final finish on -

 

[mlzettl]

Mark,

You want to use dewaxed shellac if you are putting other finishes over it. Zinsser's SealCoat is a dewaxed shellac, and Zinsser makes good products that are widely available. Just as with any finish, do a sample first to be sure that it doesn't create a darker color than what you are looking for. All shellac will impart a bit of an amber hue, with blonde shellac having the least tendency in this regard.

Hope this helps.

Matt

 

[Ken Massingale]

Mark,
The spray is dewaxed like the Sealcoat so it will work fine. But, you said you will be doing a 'bunch' of Maple. You can get a gallon of Sealcoat for the price of 4-5 spray cans.
I agree with Matt about the shellac 'ambering' a bit, but so will the urethane, unless you're using water based. I like to thin the Sealcoat a little and wipe it on.

 

[Umich684]

1 Coat only@! multiple coats will ensure NO chemical reaction, and just put a glaze over the wood, when exposed to heavy service it will crack/flake.....If you want to use it as an intermediate layer why not just a sanding sealer? Typical composition is just a thinned out mix of urethane, dries quick, made in-shop real easy..also available over the counter for cheaper than Shellac.

 

[Howard Acheson]

There is no need or benefit to "sealing" with shellac. The first coat of any finish effectively seals the surface of the wood. Just thin the first coat about 25-30% with mineral spirits and it will seal as well as a shellac. Applying is unnessessy and just adds a complication.