Who else uses Zinsser Bull's Eye Shellac in the spray can?

[JW_Halverson]

I have really been enjoying using this product, love the way I can lay up 6 coats in under an hour.  Great stuff....but!

Lately I have been getting an "orange peel" effect when I spray it down.  I thought maybe the nozzle wasn't properly cleaned the last time I used it, so I went and bought a new can with fresh nozzle.  Still orange peel. 

What's the trick to getting a smoother finish?

[Joec123able]

Very fine grit sand paper between the last coat or two

[Easternarcher]

JMHO, but spay cans are a waste of finish. you overspray to much and don't have enough control.
I just use liquid shellac in a can and patch of soft cotton and apply the shellac in one light pass.  repeat as needed.

[bubby]

has it been hot JW, in my experience when anything spray drys to fast ya get that effect, just hit it with some #0000 steel wool between coats to smooth it out, bub

[Bryce]

i use it as a base coat

[lesken2011]

I have used it on most of my bows, so far. The last couple turned out a little nicer with the #0000 steel wool between coats, though. The spray has a little wax in it unlike the liquid in a can.

[owlbait]

Thanks for bringing this up JW. Chuck Deshler recommended I try the Zinsser and I couldn't remember the name of that stuff. This reminder hit a "Bullseye" in the memory center! Good luck with the orange peel, I'm sure you'll have a great finish now with the excellent advice given here.

[JW_Halverson]

Will try to do the next few coats late in the evening or early morning to take advantage of cooler weather.

[Buckeye Guy]

JW
I don't use the spray cans but spraying finish in general takes about the right conditions or uck happens !
Cooler and less air flow along with thinner coats all can help it to flow out better before it flashes out to much and gives you that orange peel effect!
Once it gets settled in and done flowing then you can pour the heat to it and move some air across it to speed drying if you want , don't usually need to with shellac .
Have fun !

[JW_Halverson]

JMHO, but spay cans are a waste of finish. you overspray to much and don't have enough control.
I just use liquid shellac in a can and patch of soft cotton and apply the shellac in one light pass.  repeat as needed.

Ok, I tried the can of liquid shellac from the same manufacturer...and the results were even worse.  I could not maintain a "wet edge" with the brush unless I loaded the brush heavily.  Then I ended up with drips, runs, and crappy results.  I spent this morning spotsanding and scraping to recover what I could. 

Now I come back and read your instructions to use a soft cotton cloth.   

At least it is cooler today, I should be able to sacrifice some of my good cotton flannel that I use for cleaning muzzleloaders on this project.  I am eager to have this bow done and shipped before I really screw things up. 

[bubby]

I use my old socks for wipeing on finish he, works good

[JW_Halverson]

My last batch of old socks got used for "chew toys" for the great horned owl.  I use zip ties to bind them down to her perch and she enjoys destroying them instead of tearing up the perch.  Someone said that was cruel to use those stinky old sox for that poor bird, but I reminded him that great horned owls have a preference for killing and eating skunks, can't be that much worse.