Over the years, paint and painting mediums have evolved immensely. But it is important to gain knowledge about the purpose of different paints in order to understand how they should be used. Because a good paint job can weather heat and moisture and last almost a decade.
Can you put lacquer over shellac?
Lacquer can be applied over shellac but be sure to prep the surface before putting lacquer on top. When you apply the lacquer on top, you basically seal the shellac underneath with a strong, tough top coat. Lacquer will work as a barrier and protect the shellac underneath.
Table of Contents
Painters use shellac under lacquer because shellac is a resin paint that will protect the wood and also prep the surface for lacquer to go on top by creating a flat and clean surface. This allows the next layers of paint to adhere better to the wall or furniture.
A lot of people are unaware about this but a shellac finish is water resistant but when lacquer is applied over it, it works like a tough top coat for the shellac and surface underneath shellac because it is not only resistant to water but also to alcohol.
We know by now how immensely it can help to layer shellac and lacquer but there are different methods of applying them. The method will work differently on different surfaces. And it will be beneficial to know which is the better method before you are starting a painting project.
Apply lacquer paint over shellac:
Lacquer can be applied over shellac and many painters highly recommend it as well. Because even though shellac is a great barrier and wash coat, applying lacquer on top helps.
If you would like to apply lacquer over shellac then you will only need to apply a thin coat of shellac and let it dry completely in a well ventilated or open space and then you can begin to lay the lacquer paint on top without any issue.
But it is crucial to use top-shelf brushes while working with lacquer to get a smooth finish because lacquer will literally dissolve foam brushes and also cause the color to bleed from the bristles of cheaply manufactured brushes onto the wood which is never the result anyone wants.
Spray lacquer over shellac:
If you are working on a smaller project, it is better to spray the laquer over the shellac because of how quick-drying it is and it will also help avoid brush marks.
But it is important to be mindful of a few things, remember to use a mask and also try to find a well ventilated spot to work in because the fumes that the spray lacquer can emit is known to be harmful if ingested and also poses a fire risk.
But overall it is an easy and useful way to spray lacquer on top of shellac finish on smaller surfaces.
Will shellac stick to lacquer?
Shellac comes in different formulas and the texture can vary from one to the other. And because of this, we must examine them separately to determine which version will adhere to lacquer and which version will not.
But keep in mind that there is a variety when it comes to lacquer as well. Therefore, we have compiled a list of shellac and lacquer and how they will react together to help our readers choose the right one for their project.
Lacquer over waxed shellac:
Lacquer cannot stick on top of waxed shellac. The presence of wax in shellac will stop it from sticking to anything and will also stop lacquer from adhering to it. Therefore, lacquer cannot be applied over waxed shellac.
Lacquer over dewaxed shellac:
Lacquer can stick to dewaxed shellac. Because on the other end of the spectrum from waxed shellac is dewaxed shellac which is created by extracting out the wax it naturally comes with; when that happens, shellac begins to stick to almost everything.
This works both ways and makes it possible for things to stick to dewaxed shellac as well.
Pre-catalyzed lacquer over shellac:
It is recommended to use pre-catalyzed lacquer over shellac because it can adhere to it without any problem as a hardening agent is added to it while it is in production.
Water based lacquer over shellac:
Water based lacquer will adhere to shellac if it is applied on top of shellac. But the shellac must be dewaxed. Because the water based lacquer will be unable to stay on top of waxy shellac.
Oil lacquer over shellac:
The good thing about oil lacquer is that it can be applied on top of both waxed and dewaxed shellac and it will stick to it without any trouble. Coating wood with oil lacquer over shellac gives it a durable and pleasantly natural finish.
Nitrocellulose lacquer over shellac:
Nitrocellulose lacquer can be applied on top of shellac because it will adhere to it.
It will not raise or detach the shellac underneath. But you must be mindful of some things, the shellac must be dewaxed and applied in thin layers.
Also, the shellac coat should be relatively new because nitrocellulose lacquer will not work well on old, crusty shellac.
Acrylic lacquer over shellac:
Acrylic lacquer will stick to and work flawlessly on top of shellac. But again the shellac used underneath must be dewaxed in order for the acrylic lacquer to be able to adhere to it.
Why should you put lacquer over shellac?
There are a lot of benefits associated with applying lacquer over shellac and knowing them might help in deciding if lacquer should be added on top of shellac or if the shellac should be left alone.
Increase longevity:
The lacquer on top will increase the longevity of the shellac and also the wood surface.
Resistant to scratch:
Lacquer is resistant to staining and scratches unlike shellac. It also does not oxidize or become crumbly or brittle over the years.
Dust proof:
When lacquer is applied to any wood furniture, it will cause an increase in its surface quality because lacquers stop dust from sticking to wood surfaces.
Barrier:
Lacquer works as a barrier and protects the shellac and wood from discoloration caused by heat, water, oil, diluted acid and alcohol spills.
How long to let shellac dry before lacquer?
After you have applied shellac to a wood surface, let it dry for around 20 to 30 minutes before applying lacquer on top. This will ensure that the shellac has dried thoroughly and there are no wet spots.
And also remember to apply the shellac in a thin coat, this will allow it to dry quicker and the lacquer will be able sit nicely on top as well.
How to apply lacquer over shellac?
Applying lacquer over shellac is a straightforward job but it is necessary to have the right tools and materials in hand and also be aware of the process that needs to be followed.
Sand:
You need to begin by sanding the wood surface. Wipe off the saw dust completely and then apply a thin coat of dewaxed shellac on the wood by brushing it or padding it on.
Apply shellac and let it dry:
Let the shellac dry completely and if you want to add another layer of shellac then sand the first layer and follow step 1.
Apply more layers:
If you are satisfied with the shellac layer or layers, now you can start applying the lacquer. You can either spray the lacquer over the shellac or you can use a brush and paint the lacquer over the shellac.
Apply lacquer and let it dry:
After you are done applying the lacquer, leave it in a well ventilated space to allow it to dry completely.
Can you mix shellac and lacquer?
It is possible to mix shellac and lacquer but there really is no reason to mix both as they work better when applied in layers. Mixing them will not create an extraordinarily strong sealant. So, it is best to just start by applying a thin coat of shellac and topping it off with lacquer.
Can you thin shellac with lacquer thinner?
Lacquer thinner can be used for shellac mainly if you are trying to clean it up. You can also use acetone, ammonia and mineral spirits for this purpose.
But if you are looking to thin shellac, then you are better off using methanol or ethanol. As these two alcohols can dissolve and thin shellac nicely.
Final Thoughts
If you apply lacquer over shellac, you will not face any problems and it won’t be difficult to apply either because lacquer will latch on and adhere to the shellac underneath. Many people recommend this layering of shellac and lacquer as there are ample number of advantages associated with it.