What does dewaxed shellac mean?
Both amber and clear Bulls Eye shellac have a natural waxy substance that interferes with the adhesion of oil-based polyurethane and water-based finishes. To address that problem, Zinsser created SealCoat, a dewaxed shellac, meaning it has the wax removed.
How do you remove wax from shellac?
I used white spirit (mineral spirits in the USA I think) to soften the wax and then keep wiping with clean rags / paper towels and more white spirit until all the wax is removed. The white spirit will not affect the shellac.
What is the difference between waxed and dewaxed shellac?
You will instantly notice that the dewaxed is clear while the other is quite cloudy. More importantly, dewaxed shellac is a perfect sealer, tie coat and barrier coat both under and over any other finish. Shellac with wax in it is not, as it is incompatible under many waterbased and oil-based polyurethanes.
Are shellac flakes Dewaxed?
Our Blonde shellac is also dewaxed. This provides the advantage of being fully compatible with any other kind of finishing products such as Polyurethane, Waterlox, dies etc. Shellac is all-natural.
Can you Dewax shellac?
You can also dewax the shellac yourself by pouring a batch into a glass jar, allowing the wax to settle, and then pouring off the clear top part of the mix. Brushing lays down the most shellac, but usually requires some finish-sanding.
Does shellac have wax in it?
Shellac forms a hard (brittle) film and when applied over a softer (more flexible) finish like most WB finishes or oil-base finishes, it is prone to cracking. Bullseye shellac does contain wax. Their “Sealcoat” and the aerosol (spray can) shellacs do not contain wax.
Will shellac stick to wax?
You need to get the wood as clean as possible. Even so, you probably won’t get all the wax out of the wood’s pores, so after you have cleaned the wood as well as you can, brush or spray a first coat of shellac. The shellac will still bond well to wood with a little wax residue left.
Can you wax on top of shellac?
Apply a layer of beeswax over the shellac in a circular motion with the grain, this gives it a nice, smooth look and feel and is easier to repair. You can buy beeswax as block or pellet and formulate your own paste, or you can buy it ready to go in a can.
Can isopropyl alcohol dissolve shellac?
A test for suspected old shellac is easy — simply dissolve the flakes in alcohol. Most shellacs should be totally dissolved within three days. Dissolve dry shellac flakes in denatured ethanol, which is sold in most paint stores. It also dissolves in methanol, butyl and isopropyl alcohol.
Is shellac a good finish?
Give your wood projects a beautiful natural finish with this easy, fast-drying technique. Shellac is a versatile, non-toxic wood finish that enhances the natural grain while adding smoothness without the plastic-like qualities of polyurethane or lacquer.
Do I need to sand before shellac?
Shellac should be applied in several thin coats, all of which need to be sanded before the next coat is added. The sanding part of the process makes everything look just so much nicer in the end. Sanding each layer as you go prevents little flaws from building up over a number of layers and prevents ugly blemishes.
What is the best way to apply shellac?
Shellac can be applied with either a cotton cloth rag, a brush, or a combination of both. A good rule of thumb: Use a cloth to shellac wood if you’re covering a large surface area and choose a brush for the job to finish tight edges and corners.
How durable is Shellac?
The big drawback to shellac is that it is not durable. Shellac is easily damaged and dissolves in both water and alcohol. White rings are usually a problem. Shellac cannot be applied in very humid weather because humidity turns it white. Shellac finishes absorb moisture and sometimes turn hazy or white with age.
Is Shellac water resistant?
Shellac, just as many other finishes, is not waterproof, however, it is quite water resistant. Shellac can easily withstand water for about 4 hours.
Is shellac a sealer?
Shellac is non-toxic, can be used as a sealer before applying a stain, can be mixed with nearly any color and is easy to repair in the event of damage from use. That being said, there are some drawbacks to using shellac as a final wood finish; shellac does not hold up well to heat or water,…
Can I shellac over polyurethane?
Polyurethane (and waterborne finishes) can go over shellac if it’s dewaxed shellac. Both waxy and de-waxed shellac will go over polyurethane varnish with no problem, but if you intend to put on more poly for some reason, you should use de-waxed.