Rubbing out shellac

This short clip, shows the steps involved in rubbing out or finishing the finish which is crucial to the proper look and feel of any project. I am backing the sandpaper and steel wool with an artist eraser; something I did not note in the video. Please visit my website at www.americanfederalperiod.com.

[@brendamann6106]

Thank you. I refinished a solid cherry dresser leaving raw wood that I finished with shellac. It was a learning experience but so beautiful when done. This helped me understand how to rub out the finish.

[@orangie1]

Many thanks for sharing... A wealth of information...
It is a pleasure to watch a true craftsman at work.

[@SOLT_Mark]

Nicely done and explained. How do you go about gluing and clamping that perfect finish ?

[@2Phast4Rocket]

Thanks you for showing the process of applying the shellac and the rub out. Do you put a final coat of furniture wax an buff out after this? What do you recommend? Thank you.

[@ef2b]

Nice demonstration. Clear and detailed explanation. Would you be willing to describe or show how you rub out when you have more than flat surfaces, e.g., mouldings, fillets, chamfers, finials, profiles around drawer faces, or even carvings like you might find on a Queen Anne style piece?

[@williambranham6249]

I WISH THE SAME. I AM NOW DEALING WITH THAT SITUATION. IT CERTAINLY IS MORE DIFFICULT.

[@ericwiessner192]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@SparkeyDogfish]

Worked great for me.
How different will the finish look as the mineral oil dries? Or will it dry? Can you paste wax after? Would you?

[@jasonknight219]

Would this smooth out a poor brushed on job? (With actual brush lines in it.)

[@sirgreggins8824]

yes. work your way up to as high a grit as you can get. I do it on my guitars. works well. Just sand very lightly

[@jcows12]

How do you get a polished high gloss finish? I sanded 400 grit to even out brush marks and used some rubbing compound but its satin-y. I want supergloss but cant spray.

[@sohnrog]

Great video. I'm going to use it this weekend!

[@williambranham6249]

Have you experimented with a French Polish ? What was your experience?

[@sugersnook]

Do you do any sanding or rub out steps in between the coats of shellac?

[@1joshjosh1]

This is complicated. My brain hurts.

[@radiusnorth1675]

Does anyone know why such a small "sanding" pad is being used?

[@robkutner3193]

Likely because it's backed by an artist's eraser, which itself is tiny.

[@JPE_DRAEB]

Is the rub out same thing as burnishing wood?

[@williambranham6249]

NOT REALLY.

[@booker1981]

Hi, mineral spirits have been banned in my county, what can I use instead of mineral spirits? Would an alternative still mix well with the mineral oil?

[@FederalFurniture]

Mineral oil alone works well. I now have a shop that has better climate control and I no longer cut the oil with mineral spirits. Mineral oil can also be used for the wet sanding but it won't cut as fast.

[@daveandsuez]

Works perfect but I need more practice on applying the shellac

[@andrewarthurmatthews9990]

Not sure why you need to coat the knuckle joint ! It's not show wood after all

[@williambranham6249]

HE MENTIONED THAT THE JOINT WILL FUNCTION MORE SMOOTHLY. NO SQUEAKING.

[@rompus62]

Why not make it easy on yourself and spray it on. I spray thin multiple coats that dry fast, I really don't see the advantage of brushing.

[@FederalFurniture]

Spraying requires a dedicated space (if you care about safety). Even a perfect spray job will require a rubout. Lastly, spraying is not nearly as efficient as bushing as far as material transfer is concerned.

[@butteredbiskit3497]

Shellac doesnt lay smooth EVER if you spray it. What ever you do, you'll be sanding to flatten it out.

[@timothyharper3982]

@@butteredbiskit3497 I have sprayed all the doors in my house with excellent results.If brush strokes flatten out then a fine spray with the correct tip will do far better.If I choose to rub it out it is an easy process.There is no way I would want to brush finish an interior door with applied moldings using a brush.I respectfully disagree with your statement.If brushing was better they wouldn't have invented the spray gun.

[@timothyharper3982]

@@FederalFurniture I won't disagree that you lose material with spraying the point is that it is faster and does a better job if done properly.I built and finished all the doors in my house and there is no way I would brush 10 doors with applied moldings.

[@butteredbiskit3497]

@@timothyharper3982 it definitely does not flow like a lacquer or urethane based paint. Alcohol is just simply way too hot of a reducer for that.

[@DamienPasquale]

Can't see jack! The resolution of this video is poor. Really pixelated. Thus defeating any visual assistance.

[@ghasss88]

very good explanations, poor quality video, but thank you !