Shellac - How long to cure? How to rub to satin?

[davefr]

I made a Myrtlewood backing for weather instruments and decided to use Shellac for the finish. (never used it before). It was rewarding to learn the old fashioned french polishing methods and I'm very happy with the results.

However the finish has a mirror shine and I'd like to get to satin.

How long should I let the shellac cure before proceeding?

Should I sand the surface with something like 1000 grit sandpaper or just use 0000 steel wool to get to satin? What rubbing media should I use? Undiluted Murphy's Oil soap, paint thinner, mineral oil, etc??

Any other tips for turning gloss Shellac into satin?

[David]

there's a lot of ways to skin a cat.

My preference for getting the satin look is quite simple: maroon, and then gray synthetic steel wool pads. I personally don't feel the need to wait more a couple of days after the last coat has been applied under ideal conditions. I've used mineral oil with good results. NOT paint thinner!

Dave

[Patriarch]

[e-mail] wrote in news:1156888808.679696.252860 @m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:

0000 steeel wool and a good paste wax, at least a week after your last coat of shellac. Go easy, as you're building the scratch pattern for the satin finish.

Patriarch

[brian_j_roth]

Mineral oil is a good choice. Murhpys oil soap as well, just dry it promply.

Don't quite know why Dave discorages Paint Thinner.

Paint Thinner (mineral spirits) will not harm the shellac. Neither will Naptha. I use both to clean the mineral oil off.

[Ron Hock]

Why *not* paint thinner as a rubbing lubricant? It should have no effect on the shellac and it dries off without having to be removed. I use it as a padding lube when applying shellac and it works as well or better than oil without the subsequent clean-up.

And shellac shouldn't need long to cure. If it's still soft after a few hours, it's too old to use (unless you've loaded it on too thickly). Freshly mixed shellac is always best and dries very hard very quickly.

[B A R R Y]

It's always worked for me on both shellac and lacquer.