Tips for Buffing Shellac – How to Buff a Shellac Polish

Finishing materials on furniture are very diverse. One of the classic finishing materials is buffing shellac. Not many people can use this technique if they don’t understand the theory.

Buffing can give any polish a shiny new look, but if you immediately try it, the results on the wood will not be smooth.

The application process often occurs on mahogany, walnut, and veneer. People who successfully use this technique can get furniture with an aesthetic appearance.

The shellac polishing process has another name French Polish. This coating process can take more than one layer. Repeatedly giving the coating can make the shellac dry faster.

However, it should be realized that this coating is not resistant to many solvents and water. If accidentally exposed to water can cause marks in the form of white like dew.

It is not surprising that woodworkers often use shellac as a finishing material rather than the material used to protect outdoor furniture.

Can shellac be buffed?

Yes, shellac can be buffed to a high sheen. Buffing is often done on furniture. This process involves polishing the shellac to make it as smooth as possible.

French polishing gives shellac a shiny, mirror-like finish. Buffing can remove most scratches from the surface and make it shine. It takes time, patience, and practice.

The best way to achieve a shiny look is to polish your wood with a clean, soft cloth and a little shellac.

Suppose you want a less polished, satin finish; buff the last coat with 0000 steel wool and paste wax that doesn’t have silicone. Move the wax over the finish gently until it is completely covered.

Preparing the Ingredients for the Buffing Shellac

Those interested in using shellac as a wood coating must prepare some equipment and solvents. Some equipment is masks, gloves, shellac, and furniture coated with sandpaper and microfiber cloth. Masks and gloves need to be used during the coating process. Shellac contains ingredients that are harmful to health if it is inhaled or enters the body. You can buy all of this equipment through the building shop.

Buy shellac in sufficient quantity because it doesn’t last long. Buying too much will only waste money. You have prepared all the equipment, and you also need to prepare the alcohol.

Alcohol is useful as a solvent that dissolves shellac. If you use 4-pound shellac, then buy 2-pound alcohol. Always buy a certain amount of solvent using this ratio.

Dissolving Shellac

You need to know the right way to dissolve shellac. If you do not know how to dissolve shellac, you may be causing damage to your furniture. You may be applying the wrong amount of shellac flakes, and you may be ruining your furniture.

Dry shellac flakes can be dissolved in denatured ethanol, methanol, butyl, and isopropyl alcohol. The alcohols that evaporate the fastest are methanol, ethanol, butyl, and isopropyl.

Mineral spirits won’t break down wood finishes like polyurethane, varnish, lacquer, or shellac that have hardened or dried. It can be used to clean things made of wood without hurting the finish.

We will talk about how to dissolve shellac. The method is very easy but a little tricky. So, follow the below steps:

1. Soak the shellac flakes in about 1/2 of the total alcohol to be used for 24 hours or longer.

2. Mixing the shellac flakes is simply a matter of dissolving them; Depending on the temperature, this can take up to 24 hours.

3. Stir occasionally and when dissolved, add the balance of the alcohol.

4. You need to mix the shellac particles with alcohol. However, some carpenters use solvents such as linseed oil. However, the most widely used solvent is alcohol. During this dissolving process, you must avoid various ignition sources.

5. Alcohol itself has very flammable properties. After you dissolve the shellac, store it in a closed bottle. Later you can open the bottle cap whenever you want to use it as a layer of the furniture. When you’re done, close the bottle again. Remember that this liquid cannot be stored for long because shellac is very easily damaged.

6. Denatured alcohol or methylated spirits is the best solvent for shellac. Buy a good Shellac Solvent for making your shellac finish. as a Shellac Flake Solvent. Do not use gasoline, kerosene, or petroleum-based products as a solvent. Pure ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is used only to thin, clean shellac brushes or put on a French polish.

What removes shellac from wood?

Denatured alcohol can be used to get rid of shellac. Denatured alcohol is a clear liquid that can be bought from most stores and used to clean and remove shellac from wooden items.

Try lacquer thinner if alcohol doesn’t work.

If your piece was made by a suitable furniture maker after 1930 and had a shellac or lacquer finish, the best place to start is with a product that thins.

Making Applications Using Microfiber Cloths

The next step is to make a tool for applying liquid shellac to furniture. The application process cannot be done using a spray gun or brush.

The French Polis technique must be done carefully so that the results are good by using a microfiber cloth.

The microfiber cloth used for lining must be clean and dry. The nature of the fabric must also be able to absorb shellac liquid Cloth.

Gather a palm-sized microfiber cloth. Continue by making a circle using the microfiber cloth. Tie at the top so that the parts of the fabric piled up in the main material are not easily exposed to apply shellac.

After making the microfiber cloth application tool, you can immediately move on to the next step.

Shellac Application Process to Furniture

Each application process must be carried out using the microfiber earlier. Dip a small amount of the rounded end into the shellac solution. If it has been made, you can flatten it to the surface of the wood in the same direction.

Do not immerse the cloth pad in the solution too long to prevent too much of the solution from being absorbed into the pad. You can also make a spiral-like motion when scrubbing the wood surface.

When applying shellac liquid, you need to use a little pressure. The less pressure makes the shellac liquid less able to penetrate the wood pores.

If the pressure you give is too intense, it might damage the wood fibers or cause defects in other furniture. The result of providing the correct coating will be glossy.

Wait Until the First Layer Is Drying

Those who have finished applying the first coat must wait a while for the coating to dry. Of course, this process requires extra patience. Someone who forces to add layers when the first layer is not dry will cause particles to appear, which makes the furniture look less smooth.

While waiting for the first layer to dry, it doesn’t hurt you to do other work. If it is scorched, then you can do the recoating technique.

The drying process of the first layer does not need to be carried out in the sun. Dry the furniture in an open space.

When the spirit evaporates, the first layer of shellac will stick firmly to the wood surface. Wait again after 4 hours to start the next step.

How many coats of shellac should I apply?

The standard way to get a good finish is to put on three coats of shellac. Shellac is a clear coating that you can put on your furniture to protect it.

The first coat seals the wood, and the second gives it enough body to be sanded, leveled, and repainted without cutting through these base coats. You can use a rag or a brush to apply the first coat, depending on how big an area you want to cover.

Be sure to apply the second coat evenly, as uneven coverage leaves a noticeable gap between the top layer of shellac and the bottom layer of the wood. A final coat is necessary to seal the surface and protect it from scratches and stains.

Sand and Prepare the New Pad

You can next sand the furniture’s surface when the first layer of shellac is dry. Use sandpaper of relatively fine size.

The sanding process must also be done slowly to smooth the furniture’s surface. When you have finished sanding the entire surface, clean it from dust particles.

The cleaning process from dust can be done by using a dry cloth. If you have cleaned the surface of the furniture from dust, then you can prepare a new pad.

The use of a new pad can prevent the appearance of particles from the dried shellac. These particles can make the surface appearance of the furniture no longer smooth.

Can you sand shellac smooth?

Between coats of shellac, you should sand so that the second coat sticks better. Use a fine-grit sanding pad when you sand, so you don’t damage the piece.

Between coats, let the shellac dry all the way. Once the paint is dry, sand it lightly between coats with a 320-400-grit sanding block until the surface is smooth.

This helps the next coat stick better and eliminates any flaws that might have been made when the first coat was put on. This keeps minor flaws from getting worse over time.

When can I sand shellac?

Avoid over-applying or over-brushing. Let dry for an hour before sanding or screening with 220 grit paper or finer.

Apply the second coat and wait for 2 to 3 hours for it to dry. Remember that shellac is not as scratch-resistant or long-lasting as polyurethane or other finishes made for floors.

Recoating

The final step of shellac buffing is recoating. Recoating, you must do the same when making the first layer. Dip the new pad in enough shellac liquid.

Then apply slowly and use proper pressure. Keep repeating this step until a second layer is formed over the furniture. This layer will dry after 30 minutes. But you can only coat for the third time after 4 hours.

Completing shellac buffing does take all day. But those of you who have a lot of work to coat furniture with shellac liquid can move on to the next coating job while waiting for the first piece of furniture to dry.