When spraying Bullseye shellac with a HVLP, should I thin it? If so, how much? Using DNA. 

Is it Sealcoat?  I don't thin the Sealcoat at all.

It's just regular Bullseye. It'll get 4 lightly sanded coats. No top coat. Just wax.

Project is maple, mesquite and walnut. Fairly close grained stuff.

Edited December 1, 20178 yr by Gene Howe

8 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

It's just regular Bullseye. It'll get 4 lightly sanded coats. No top coat. Just wax.

Project is maple, mesquite and walnut. Fairly close grained stuff.

I've used Bullseye for spraying Gene, I did not thin it, I did not know better, but I did not thin it. I used it on the interior of a pine cabinet, with great success.

 

EDIT: Recalling that project now as I think bout it, I did have issue, after it dried it had a rough feel to the finish. Like it over-atomized or something, sorry for the take back here, but my memory is filled with projects of the past and they confused. But I do remember now, and I told myself since, I would not spray shellac anymore. As a matter of fact, I just don't spray anymore period. Too much clean up, I like wipe on finishes or brushing now, not too mention, I enjoy the process, with a little symphony music in the back ground, and brushing on varnish, it just works for me.

Wow, what a re-cant eh!!!!

Thanks John. I may rethink the spraying option. 

I too have not had good luck with spraying shellac. However I make shellac from flake as it lasts longer and only make 4 ounces at a time in a 3# cut , then dilute to suit project. Shellac is so easy to wipe on the spray routine is just not needed.

I can apply shellac 2 ways; 1)pad it on (with a  rag ball) and 2) spray it. I prefer spraying, though sometimes it's just as easy to pad it on. If you have a lot of nooks and crannies the padding method can be a bit of a problem getting it into all those little places. Should you choose to spray, the gun clean up is easier with household ammonia (mixed in warm water in a 5 gallon bucket) than using DNA; cheaper as well. The ammonia can stain aluminum, but it doesn't seemed to be harmed in any way. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly with fresh water. As for thinning it, I've done both and prefer to add just a little DNA to it...generally no more than 25% (+/-).

I have sprayed Bullseye shellac with a HVLP with success.  I used a 1:1 ratio with DNA.  Scuff sanded between coats.  This is my finish schedule for sealing/finishing birch ply drawers.

Danl

Thanks all for your suggestions. I think I'll be brushing it. Maybe thin the last couple coats.

I love shellac and the mellow color it gives to maple. I use it for all my projects. I now spray it on from rattle cans and it seems a tad thinner than the stuff in the cans. Maybe because the cans evaporate some of the solvent from being open to the air.

After the first coat, I sand with 400g. and then apply 4-5 coats with a rattle can.

Herb

I use the spray can Bullseye shellac on most of my scrolling projects.  Also do some dipping with 50/50 mix shellac / DNA.  Have tried brushing and wiping without good results but if I would do this more I would probably get the hang of it.  Spray can is the easy way out for me.

 

I do know through all of the applications use/have attempted, that too heavy of coat will cause cracking.

 

Spraying second coat or more will leave a rough texture.  I take a piece of brown paper bag and rub it over the coats and this takes away the rough bumps.  Works just like sandpaper but it does not leave the white sanding power as sandpaper does.

 

All that to say this:  Steve Mickley has been my go to for shellac information.  Here is a link to his articles – just scroll down on left side till you get to shellac, click and read.

 

http://www.askhlm.com/Articles/tabid/64/ArticleCategory/9/smid/418/Default.aspx

 

Larry

Thanks Larry. I think I'll brush it. The kraft paper trick does work. I've used it on several finishes. 

Glad you warned about heavy coats. I'll try not to overdo it. 

You and Keith both recommended that Mickley article. For some reason, I can't get beyond his opening page.

 

You're welcome Gene.  I left out part of getting to the shellac info.  Once you get to title Shellac, you need to scroll down and click on one of the sub topics.

 

Maybe this one will take you to applying shellac for brushing information.

 

http://www.askhlm.com/Articles/ArticleViewPage/tabid/75/ArticleId/15/Applying-Shellac.aspx

 

Larry

I spray Sealcoat.  IIRC it's a 2# cut.   Bullseye is waxed and a 3# cut.   I don't think I've ever sprayed Bullseye.  I use one of those $12-15 Harbor Freight sprayers that I devote to shellac and it works fine.