Okay to put polyurethane over shellac?

"Scott Duncan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I'm getting ready to finish a cherry kitchen buffet. I'm thinking of
> using a few coats of shellac first for the color and to seal and fill
> the wood - followed by satin polyurethane to protect it. Any problem
> with this approach? I like using shellac because it dries so fast.
>
> Thanks,
> Scott
>

Not a problem.

Bob

Polyurethane over shellac is OK as long as the shellac is dewaxed.

I always use 4 parts alchohol to 1 part dewaxed shellac after staining and
before polyurethaning. It seals the wood (Some folks call it sizing). and
raises the grain, allowing me to make it slick and smooth.
It works well as a finish too. I have used it on some kids toys too.

John


"JFCBAS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Polyurethane over shellac is OK as long as the shellac is dewaxed.

On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 21:04:17 -0500, Scott Duncan
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>I’m getting ready to finish a cherry kitchen buffet. I’m thinking of
>using a few coats of shellac first for the color and to seal and fill
>the wood - followed by satin polyurethane to protect it. Any problem
>with this approach? I like using shellac because it dries so fast.
>

You'll be fine, IF the shellac is dewaxed.

Dewaxed shellac can be bought as flakes, Zinnser Sealcoat, or Zinnser
aerosol spray clear. Zinnser canned orange and clear contain wax and
should not be used under polyurethane.

Dewaxed shellac is a great barrier coat between different finishes.

Barry

Waxy shellac is O.K. under oil based varnishes not water based.
Consider clear finish for transparency and no risk of lap marks
compared to satin. Final sheen can be managed by rubbing the clear
finish.

On Sat, 03 Apr 2004 12:05:06 GMT, B a r r y
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 21:04:17 -0500, Scott Duncan
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>I’m getting ready to finish a cherry kitchen buffet. I’m thinking of
>>using a few coats of shellac first for the color and to seal and fill
>>the wood - followed by satin polyurethane to protect it. Any problem
>>with this approach? I like using shellac because it dries so fast.
>>
>
>You'll be fine, IF the shellac is dewaxed.
>
>Dewaxed shellac can be bought as flakes, Zinnser Sealcoat, or Zinnser
>aerosol spray clear. Zinnser canned orange and clear contain wax and
>should not be used under polyurethane.
>
>Dewaxed shellac is a great barrier coat between different finishes.
>
>Barry