Spraying Shellac

[ravlord13]

G'Day All,
I have just picked up a commission for a number of Clocks and Boxes and I was wondering----Can Shellac be sucessfully sprayed ?
I have an air brush and was thinking to use that to apply the shellac, most of the work is small and I thought that an air brush might do the job.
All comments and info would be appreciated.
Thanks Andrew

[Woodlee]

I would think that the shellac might dry before it hits the work as the metho will evaporate pretty quickly once atomised unless you add a drying retarder.
I had this problem with acrylic paints when I was model building,I was using isopropynol alcohol for a thinner /solvent ,the paint was drying before it reached the job ,giving a powdery finish.
I found adding a few drops of artists acrylic retarder to slow down the drying solved the problem .
I dont know if the retarder would work with shellac though. There maybe some thing you can add to the shellac to slow down the drying.Maybe a bit of poly or some thing.

Just my thoughts

Kev.

[Chipman]

Hi Ravlord

I don't know enough to help you but this resource should help.

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Spraying_shellac.html

If you read down through it, it will tell you how to retard it.

Hope this helps,

Chipman

[Big Shed]

To stop blushing and to retard shellac for spraying, add some butanol (butyl alcohol). Usually available from mos paint manufacturers but you may have to search a bit.

[bucket1]

Simple answer is yes, it can be sprayed no problem. Try it out with what you have. See how you go, can't beat experience.:U

[ravlord13]

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I guess I'LL give it a try.
Andrew

[ubeaut]

G'day Andrew - Shellac sprays fine, just don't do it on a cold or really humid day as you could get blush. Second coat will fix this but best not to get it anyway.

You need to get just the right amount on as it will run easily if too much and subsequent coats may wrinkle if too heavy. If using ordinary shellac be mindful of the colour as uneven coats can be a bit of a problem with giving an even colour surface. I have sprayed a heap of stuff with shellac over the years and never had a major problem.

Having a good practice before you do it is always a really good idea and may save some angst or tears down the track.

Cheers - Neil :U

[ravlord13]

Thanks Neil and Everyone,
We are going to start practicing tomorrow.
Andrew

[ubeaut]

Good luck. :U