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Why use WAXED Shellac?

8K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  shipwright 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Dewaxed shellac is more expensive-but other than cost savings, is there any REAL reason to use a shellac WITH wax in it? Since dewaxed shellac is a universal sealer/bonds to everything, it seems like dewaxed shellac is the "safest" most universal option, and I can't fathom a reason to used shellac with wax in it. Thoughts?
 
#3 ·
Kushmi Button Lac is a type of shellac that is Caramel or Amber in color. It creates a very hard and durable surface. The processing of Button Lac polymerizes it, resulting in a superb material for French Polishing.

Button Lac is the preferred choice for French Polishing, Floor Finishing, tough & moisture resistant finishes.

Button Lac contains wax and may not be as compatible as dewaxed shellac when being used in combination with other finishing products like Polyurethane, Waterlox etc. This is due to the wax content. If being used in combination with other products, it's recommended that samples be made prior to committing the project to a certain sequence.

I copied and pasted this .
 
#7 ·
Add me to the chorus of "if it's the final finish, use the waxed shellac."

I use the waxed shellac on all of my shop furniture. It's cheap, easy, fast, fairly robust and easy to fix if something DOES happen to it. Then if I drip glue or any non-alcohol based finish on it, it pops right off with a plastic putty knife. When building other things and thinking about finish, my first thought is "can I use shellac."

And I use the de-waxed shellac all the time, as well. It's great for sealing dyes and stains before other finishes go on.
 
#8 ·
Got this from a finisher on SawMill Creek I trust

"there is one advantage to shellac that still has the wax… it rubs out easier."

- AlaskaGuy
Thank you-when you say "rubs out," can you let me in on your "rubbing out" process? I haven't noticed an appreciable difference between the finishes (they both look the same to me), so I'm interested in what you see between them!

Thanks again!
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
Got this from a finisher on SawMill Creek I trust

"there is one advantage to shellac that still has the wax… it rubs out easier."

- AlaskaGuy

Thank you-when you say "rubs out," can you let me in on your "rubbing out" process? I haven t noticed an appreciable difference between the finishes (they both look the same to me), so I m interested in what you see between them!

Thanks again!

- jayseedub
I have NOT rubbed out any shellac finishes. If you note in my post I was quoting another finisher on another forum.
 
#10 ·
Shellac with the wax still in it helps build the finish quicker. It's thicker than sealcoat.

I prefer lacquer, but if shellac is the top coat… Use waxed shellac.

If the shellac is an intermediate sealer or pre-stain conditioner… Use dewaxed shellac.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
I do a lot of French Polish finishing and never use waxed shellac. I learned from Patrice Lejeune who is a graduate of École Boulle in Paris and an amazing traditional finisher. Check out his projects and blogs.
I believe that idea of waxed shellac being preferred in french polish may be related to the wide use of the technique in the finishing of (usually dark coloured) musical instruments.
In pieces involving marquetry we try to use the very lightest, most transparent shellac we can find to preserve the whites and light colours in species like Holly, Maples, and Sycomore. The lubricant added by the wax is easily replaced by a small amount of mineral oil.
 
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