shellac

[austin]

Well, obviously with all of my finishing questions I am still deep in this stage and thanks for all of your previous help.
Here is one more question!
After nearly ruining my stain with water base, sanding it all off and starting over (the bright side is, my flame stands out more!!) I am now in shellac land and my base coats are built and sanded smooth. I am curious can I just buff this out with a buffing compound, or should I french polish it?

[Chris Baird]

You can buff shellac out by hand but it won't have that french polished look that discerning folks look for in a varnished instrument. A french polished finish will be scratch free and will "glow". However, it does take lots of practice to get a perfect finish by french polishing.

[austin]

I guess another option would be to sand the shellac down a bit more and do a final coat or two with water base and then buff it. (I am a bit intimidated by french polishing)

If I were to go this route, how many coats would be necessary have on before I buff it out? I don't want the buffing to go through to the lower layers...

[Chris Baird]

You can easily buff out shellac by hand after you flat the mandolin with 800 grit sandpaper. Use a swirl remover to buff it out.

[austin]

ok, ya got me. What is a swirl remover?

[sunburst]

A swirl remover is the last step in a buffing sequence. 3M makes at least one, McGuires makes at least one, probably others too.
Shellac is very easy to buff and therefore easy to buff-through. I suspect Chris is saying that a swirl remover is all you need to get a good shine and will help keep you safe from going through the finish.
When you buff a car with a power buffer there are swirl marks in the finish, so these products were developed to remove the swirls and make the finish look hand buffed. There are swirl marks in new lacquered instruments too, but they go away pretty soon.

[austin]

thanks guys I'll give it a swirl! (ok, that was pretty bad):laugh:

[lownote]

Austin, make sure the swirl remover you use doesn't contain and silicone or you'll reek havoc trying to put on anymore coats of vinish. StewMac Polishing compound #4 is a silicone free swirl remover.

Lee

[austin]

In checking msds sheets it looks like the Meguires Scratchx swirl remover has no silicone in it, but I am guessing that paraffanic agents are probably some kind of wax? That would be bad right? It is described as being similar to a jewlers rouge.

[Chris Baird]

Paraffin is a fairly non-polar substance(meaning it has low adherance properties). There are some swirl removers which specifically say they are safe for the painting environment. Those are the ones to look for.