oil under shellac, myth or magic?

M

msiemsen

Well-known member
We were discussing the use of oil under shellac on a previous thread,
http://www.sapfm.org/forum/index.php?topic=1180.0  "Shellac and Boiled Linseed Oil"
and I see it mentioned again,
http://www.sapfm.org/forum/index.php?topic=1267.0  "Finishing curly cherry"
I have seen no difference in my samples on the same board with or without oiling first. Does anyone have any side by side samples made on the same board that show that oiling improves the finish? My sample is getting fairly old and I still see no difference. I see this oil under shellac mentioned often and I have yet to hear from someone with a side by side comparison say that it makes a difference. If you have such a sample that shows such an improvement to make this step worth doing let us know about it.
Mike
 
Mike,

Yes, it's come up again.  Perhaps that is becasue it's such a commonly performed practice.

Anyway, in yet another previous thread, I mentioned that I was using the BLO-as-1st-coat technique on a tiger maple long case clock I was making. As here, you suggested then that I make a sample piece to do a side by side comparison of an oiled and non-oiled piece, give it some time and post a photo to show the contrast (if any).

Well, I did the sample piece but haven't posted a photo. And I don't plan to either. After about a year, I see no discernable difference between the oil under shellac (dewaxed garnet at a 1.5 lb cut) and straight shellac finish. It would be a very boring photo to look at.

Once dry, the BLO adds no appreciable depth to the grain that I can see. David and others have articulated the science behind this quite well and I can add nothing to that.

That said, I will probably continue to add a base coat of BLO as a sealer because it's a little cheaper than shellac and I still like the way it temporarily pops the grain. Plus, it's a nice lubricant when wet sanding spots of raised grain I missed.

And if all that sounds like specious reasoning to you, then how about just because it smells so nice?

Rick Yochim       


           
 
Rick,
I think it is fine that people do it for whatever reason. I am just trying to confirm that it doesn't "pop" the grain or "add depth" or make any other discernible difference in how it looks to the customer. Using something for the properties it has like a nice smell, or sanding lubrication, or maybe it helps find errant glue spots makes perfect sense, even if you do it because grandpa did and it is a way to honor his memory, all good.
Mike
 
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