[philB]

Originally Posted by hazmail

Phil- although I seal mine right from the start, I also started sealing the acrylic paint on the last 1/2 dozen I made, just before going to US and (by my eyes anyway) they were by far the best and most consistent finishes I ahve done, so far. I sprayed them (air brush) with one good coat of "Clear Hard Shellac". I think this must fill any pinholes in the paint, and 'fixes' any invisible fine dust. pete

Pete

I am sure if you looked at the paint job under a microscope it would reveal pores. I have heard you talk of this clear shellac before. We do not seem to have clear shellac but I do have what is known as shellac sealer which is a horrible brown colour, it is a fast drying sealer used by decorators working with new woods, it is more commonly termed as 'Knotting' in the trade as they use it primarily for painting over the knots in wood to prevent the resin oozing out of the knot. It's made from crushed beetle shells. Maybe your 'Clear Shellac' is an adopted name and is not 'shellac' at all but a man made replacement.

Having said all that, whilst typing this I have looked around a couple of UK web sites and found clear shellac, here is the description of it.

"Clear Shellac Sealer"
"Clear Shellac Sanding Sealer is a traditional sealer for use under French polish or for sealing wood prior to waxing. It is based on waxy white shellac, which gives it a milky appearance and has additives added to aid sanding."

I don't really like it being based on waxy white shellac , do you think this is the same product ?? Here is a link to the site I found it on.

WOOD FINISHES

Jeff. Sorry if the thread has been hijacked somewhat but I suppose sealing goes hand in hand with finishing.

[hazmail]

Phil - If you look at the lures the gallery Under Hazmail), the lures titled "Gold Toad" and "Harliquin" , were both clear coated with clear shellac (about 6 coats). It is a shellac, and is near enough to clear (very light honey), I think the manufacturer calls it "Clear Hard Shelac", which they boil or something. I will have a look tonight and try and find the web site address (lost all my favourites), or better still have a look on the bottle.pete

[hazmail]

This address will tell you how to use it http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=29950 This address will tell you where to get 'U-Beaut' Hard Shellac http://www.ubeaut.com.au/eee.htm click hard shellac in the sidebar. The jury is still out on its durability as a finish (seems brittle and probably not UV Stable), but as a sealer under a UV finish, it may be the trick -fast drying and easy to apply, easy to remove.
Just found this also, - * ETHANOL (also commonly known in Australia as - 100% Industrial Methylated Spirits or 100% IMS. and sometimes called pure alcohol or denatured alcohol. If you can't get 100% IMS then it is strongly suggested that you use 95% rather than a cheap methylated spirits without a percentage specified, as this by law can contain up to 40%+ water and will ruin the shellac and your finish)

pete

[mark poulson]

Is that like Scotch neat instead of with water?

[76gator]

now that's funny

[Dean McClain]

Originally Posted by mark poulson

Is that like Scotch neat instead of with water?

close enough, if you're talking about that cheap blended crap that's sometimes labeled as Scotch...