05-01-2012, 01:24 PM
As the radio turned out better than expected, I decided to have a go at putting a proper finish to the cabinet.
So the shellac flakes arrived in the post, and it was then one more week before they had dissolved enough to use.
The cabinet was prepared, and ready for the first coat.
I made up a proper rubber to apply the shellac with, but at first, it did not seem to be going on very well, it was patchy, and seemed to cover some areas better than others.
So I decided to try brushing the first coat on, but upon trying this, I was not pleased with the brush marks, and occasionally the brush shed a bristle, so I let it settle, and rubbed it down with fine wet and dry, to remove the unevenness of the first coat.
So to the second attempt, I felt much happier using a rubber made of a cotton outer, and used cotton wool for the inner pad this time, the result was much better, I think on my first attempt, I had not been loading it enough.
I allowed an hour between the first four coats, rubbing each down gently between each, after the fourth coat, I left it to harden overnight.
I repeated this on the second day, another four coats, and left it overnight again.
By the third day, I was much more confident in applying the finish, in how much to load the rubber with, and how quick to apply it to the cabinet, so gave it a final two coats, and then left it for a week to harden off well.
Then all it took was a light sanding, and a final polish with a good beeswax to finish it.
I am quite happy with my first attempt, and was finding it much easier as time went on, but next time will stick to using only a rubber and not a paintbrush, I think this is an acquired skill that only time and patience will provide the best result, but I feel more confident than when I started, and believe my results will improve each time.
I must also say, I got a great deal of satisfaction out of doing this, and look forward to the next attempt.
So the shellac flakes arrived in the post, and it was then one more week before they had dissolved enough to use.
The cabinet was prepared, and ready for the first coat.
I made up a proper rubber to apply the shellac with, but at first, it did not seem to be going on very well, it was patchy, and seemed to cover some areas better than others.
So I decided to try brushing the first coat on, but upon trying this, I was not pleased with the brush marks, and occasionally the brush shed a bristle, so I let it settle, and rubbed it down with fine wet and dry, to remove the unevenness of the first coat.
So to the second attempt, I felt much happier using a rubber made of a cotton outer, and used cotton wool for the inner pad this time, the result was much better, I think on my first attempt, I had not been loading it enough.
I allowed an hour between the first four coats, rubbing each down gently between each, after the fourth coat, I left it to harden overnight.
I repeated this on the second day, another four coats, and left it overnight again.
By the third day, I was much more confident in applying the finish, in how much to load the rubber with, and how quick to apply it to the cabinet, so gave it a final two coats, and then left it for a week to harden off well.
Then all it took was a light sanding, and a final polish with a good beeswax to finish it.
I am quite happy with my first attempt, and was finding it much easier as time went on, but next time will stick to using only a rubber and not a paintbrush, I think this is an acquired skill that only time and patience will provide the best result, but I feel more confident than when I started, and believe my results will improve each time.
I must also say, I got a great deal of satisfaction out of doing this, and look forward to the next attempt.
