I am in the process of finishing a pair of mahogany dressing tables. I am using shellac for the finish. For all but the top surface I have finished to a nice sheen by sanding and buffing with 0000 steel wool. Then used a quality paste wax for the final finish. This turned out nice. The top surface however is a different story. For the top surface I have decided on a gloss finish since it presents the beauty of the wood so much better. Therefore, no sanding or buffing with steel wool on the final coat. After several days the surface is still soft. Soft enough that when I press my finger to the surface it leaves an ever so slight impression. The shellac is new (Zinsser shellac with a born on date of 10/10/07) and the finishing area warm and dry. I have applied the shellac in several 1 lb and 2 lb coats with sanding and steel wool buffing between coats. I’m afraid that since it is a dressing table that objects left on top will leave impressions in the shellac and ruin the finish. Is it normal for shellac to be this soft? If not does anyone have any ideas what I am doing wrong?
Thanks in advance
Mike
Thanks in advance
Mike