#1
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Shellac-Can I mix some up for a Satin finish
Hello to all you wonderful folks.
I'm wondering if there is something I can put into my shellac while I brewing it up that would make the finish be satin. I don't want to use 00000 grit steel wool. It just gets shiny with a little wear. Maybe something like they put in lacquer. Thanks in advance. TW |
#2
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The flattening agents used in finishes are an extremely fine powder. I've never seen it for sale separately. Grey Scotchbrite pads are roughly equivalent to 0000 steel wool and leaves a satin sheen. 1200-1500 grit wet-or-dry paper produces about the same.
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#3
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Interesting thought.
We use colloidal silica as an epoxy thickener - maybe I'll have to try some in shellac to see what happens. . .
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Cheers, Frank Ford |
#4
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In the floor-finishing trade, it's called a "matt agent" and comes in cans. Intended for use with polyurethane, I guess, don't know if it'll work with lacquer or shellac.
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#5
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There are two types of flatting agents, so far as I know. One is silica, which settles to the bottom of the can. In use it produces microscopic bumps as the finish shrinks back. The other is a fine stearate powder, which floats to the surface. It's soft, and doesn't stick, to it leaves a bumpy surface as it wears off. It tends to float to the top of the can.
The only finishes that I know of that give a matt surface without flatting agents are based on tung oil, which wrinkles up as it hardens. It was the basis of a lot of wrinkle finishes on office furniture back when. I don't think you could get it to work with shellac. |
#6
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Here’s a product from homesteadfinishingproducts.com that flattens shellac.
I’d recommend using the flattening agent for just the final coat or two. Otherwise it starts looking cloudy. |
#7
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Is there directions to how to mix? Thanks for all the advise.
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#8
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That's good to know! Especially for some restoration type work.
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#9
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Quote:
It’s a liquid and the directions on the bottle simply say “add 10% by volume for semi-gloss, 20% for satin and 30% for flat. |