Christmas Projects 2015

[rlkeeney]

I put the shellac on with a brush. I didn't have the right type of brush and that caused me some problems. I'm using Zinsser Bulls Eye Shellac from Home Depot. I've been making toys and experimenting with materials and finishes.

Experimenting with finishes all started because I made a toy dinosaur and painted it. Due largely (I think) to the high humidity when I painted it the paint would not dry properly. I was using polyurethane for some of the toys and I found some wood it would not cure on unless you baked it in the oven. I'm not sure what kind of wood it is. I think it is spruce but its been in the cut off pile so long I'm not sure.

Shellac doesn't seem to be bothered much by the humidity and it unless it is above 80% and it dried in a few minutes on the problem wood. It seemed like the perfect finish for the rocking horse.

Next time I'm going to spray it. I'm getting myself set up to use air brushes. I've sprayed some tests with latex paint and was amazed at the difference from brushing it on. I have several items in the works that will get a shellac finish these will be sprayed.

[algale]

Shellac is amazing stuff and in pure form it is totally food safe (not sure about the Zinser product), so great for toys that may get into small mouths!