Alan's refinish article

Bevlardi

This question is for Alan.

In the refinishing article on your website you mention polishing compound, is this the standard red and white polishing compound? If so, how do you apply it, with a buffing wheel or by hand?Would you mind sharing some technique?

Also, where can I get nitrocellulose lacquer and shellac? Which brands do you recommend?

The finish in that article looks awesome by the way.

AlanRatcliffe

Bevlardi wrote This question is for Alan.

Sorry for the delay - been away a few days.

you mention polishing compound, is this the standard red and white polishing compound?

Up to a point, yes. I use standard auto finish medium and fine compounds (although mine are white) which do the bulk of it - foam pads on a drill. Then I use Colour Tone (from Stew Mac) medium and fine with foam pads and finally swirl remover by hand with cotton cloth.

Also, where can I get nitrocellulose lacquer and shellac? Which brands do you recommend?

Plascon does both a sanding sealer and topcoat in nitro. The SS is easy to find, but you may have to get a store to order the topcoat. I bought a bunch of Rock Grip button shellac about ten years ago - I'm finally running out and they don't seem to make it any more, so I'll probably have to get from Stew Mac or LMII next time. I've just got tung oil to pop grains and seal, rather than the shellac anyway.

Bevlardi

Thankyou Alan

Heath

I have honestly looked for nitro at some of the paint stores in my area , i either get a dof look from the sales guys , or get the speech that it's to dangerous to sell , or they not understanding what i am after

AlanRatcliffe

LOL! You asked the paint store equivalent of the music store salesman for nitrocellulose? It hasn't been a mainstream finish since the 1950s. Older furniture finishers will often know of it (and many of them still use it), but the chances of a hardware or paint store flunky knowing about it are minimal.