The technique I used is as follows:
1) After fine sanding and burnishing the bowls with the fine sawdust, I wiped clean and applied a mixture of denatured alcohol & super blonde flake shellac (about a 1.5 lb mix) liberally to the surface of the interior and I spread it with a paper towel.
2) I did the same to the exterior.
3) After degassing (volatiles evaporate off) I burnished with a clean brown paper sandwich bag. The burnishing brought the lacquer to a slight shine, but also exposed the areas that need much more shellac.
4) After a day of hardening, I then made a rubber (you know the dauber - cotton balls inside and old worn out tee shirt cotton outside). I poured the blonde shellac mixture into the cotton balls, and wrapped it up. Added a few drops of virgin Olive Oil via eyedropper to the flattened outed bottom surface of the dauber, and started swirling actions to the inside and then outside of the bowl.
5) Anytime the pad starts to stick add a few drops of olive oil, when no more shellac can be squeezed out of the pad, open and add more shellac mix.
I have to say after about 4 coats of the stuff I have a pretty durable and shiny surface, and it does not require any air compressor or spray guns, and with the bowls - SHELLAC is a food safe surface and is repairable easily.
I promise I will post pics later.
Look for the Spalted Silver Maple Bowl & Spalted Hackberry Small Bowl coming to a theater near you.
