Barnsley Hayrake Table - Part 9 - Finishing

[@ronaldj.stevens8771]

I have followed this project all the way through, your workmanship really shows on the finished project. This will be passed down from generation to generation. Beautiful work. Thank you for posting.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks, Ronald! All that’s missing is my maker’s mark. My next trip down I’ll have to take my branding iron.

[@ronaldj.stevens8771]

The finish on the table top is beautiful. The preparation to achieve this shows your commitment to doing the project properly. First class all the way. Thank you for sharing.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks, Ronald! This was a very rewarding project with unique challenges. Glad you enjoyed the series.

[@jasonhammond4640]

That was a great build. Thanks for showing the process. I never thought about using wood flour with shellac. Great tip.👍👍

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks for following us! I hope you find some of our upcoming projects equally helpful.

[@jasonhammond4640]

Your welcome. I sure will.

[@Mullhead_III]

I’ve never heard of shellac being applied before a poly finish before. Shellac is a soft finish and poly a hard finish. I was taught at trade school that a soft finish should always be applied on top of a hard finish. I was asked to inspect some 3m high bank doors where the new finish was peeling off. On inspection, the joiner had applied the shellac before the poly and being in direct sun light, the shellac had melted and failed to provide a firm surface for the poly to sit on. The poly was delaminating and peeling off in sheets that looked like steamed wall paper. I think your fabulous looking table may suffer the same fate if it is left by a window in direct sunlight.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Shellac in this case is simply “sanding sealer”. If poly is coming off in sheets, it’s probably the lack of sanding be l sufficiently between coats. Poly needs the surface roughed up between every coat in order for it to stick. Thanks for the compliment and feedback.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Oh. And if you read Flexner on Finishing you’ll see where this concept comes from. I get a much more even stain I’d I shellac first, and a much more even surface as the alcohol raised the grain, but the shellac fills the pores slightly.