No photos tonight, but I did apply the first coat of finish to the shelf. I used Zinsser Seal Coat, which is a high quality dewaxed shellac, straight out of the can. I usually thin commercial shellacs with denatured alcohol and apply them with a cloth, but this product seemed to be a good consistency for brush application right out of the can. The brush technique worked quite well. I will allow the shellac to dry overnight, sand lightly by hand, then apply a second coat.
Shellac is not as durable as varnish or lacquer, but does have many good qualities. Drying time is very short, a matter of minutes if the shellac is properly thinned with alcohol. Because subsequent coats partially dissolve the previous layer, brush marks and other errors are easily corrected. Brushes are easily cleaned with alcohol, though cleaning is not absolutely necessary, as re-immersion in shellac will soften a dirty brush in a matter of minutes. Also, I particularly like the way the shellac brings out the natural color and grain of cherry.
Shellac finishes do discolor after prolonged contact with water and will dissolve if placed in contact with alcoholic beverages. Heat resistance is not spectacular, either. The ease of application and clarity of the finish make up for many of its weaknesses in my opinion. With reasonable care, a shellac finish can last a long time and is easily renewed if damaged. I will post a final photo of the shelf after applying the second coat so readers may judge the results for themselves...
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