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Le Saint Philippe 1693 after Jean-Claude Lemineur (Ancre) in scale 1:48

Hi Paul,

I use schellac politoer, which is premixed with alcohol and therefore easy to use.
If you use multiple layer it will give a shiny surface as at dockyard models. With a single layer it will mainly absorb into the wood and creates a matt-satin finish. To create a fully mat surface you can lightly sand it with some steelwool after the treatment.
Screenshot_20251017_192051_Chrome.jpg

You even have different colors of shellac.
Screenshot_20251017_192018_Chrome.jpg
 
Hi Paul,

I use schellac politoer, which is premixed with alcohol and therefore easy to use.
If you use multiple layer it will give a shiny surface as at dockyard models. With a single layer it will mainly absorb into the wood and creates a matt-satin finish. To create a fully mat surface you can lightly sand it with some steelwool after the treatment.
View attachment 550816

You even have different colors of shellac.
View attachment 550817
Shellac is also available in dry form on Aliexpress :cool: Alien
Thank you, gentlemen. I have a small pouch of blonde shellac arriving tomorrow.
 
Paul I am not sure why you would want to apply Shellac over an Oil Finish. Each of them are a finish - why complicate things ? Choose based on each advantage and disadvantage. If you want a top coat apply a finish wax to either after fully dry.
Thanks, Chris. I was thinking of the shellac as a top-coat but I do see your point.
 
But be sure everything is already glued.
Regards, Peter
That is a very concerning part of the puzzle, Peter. Once I have everything in place it will no longer be possible to apply a finish. On the Kingfisher I was using wipe-on-poly because I was not interested in highlighting the minimal wood grain in my casello boxwood. The WOP did weaken the bond strength but not enough to matter. I share your concern when using oil which is what I think I should be using to make the most of the pear.

I do manage to turn every step into a major ordeal, don't I? :rolleyes:
 
That is a very concerning part of the puzzle, Peter. Once I have everything in place it will no longer be possible to apply a finish. On the Kingfisher I was using wipe-on-poly because I was not interested in highlighting the minimal wood grain in my casello boxwood. The WOP did weaken the bond strength but not enough to matter. I share your concern when using oil which is what I think I should be using to make the most of the pear.

I do manage to turn every step into a major ordeal, don't I? :rolleyes:
Any consideration to a spray-on finish using an air brush?
 
Not really. I don't even have an air brush much less the experience to pull it off. Do you think an air brush could work for a POF model? What would I spray?
That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? Would have to be some thing you can apply in thin coats and would not require wiping down.

I only suggest an airbrush for its ability to cover evenly and reach tight places, although I myself have only used it to apply paint or clear acrylic over paint. I’ve yet to build a ship that stand to go around unclothed. I need better skills and better materials.
 
I ran a test the new amber shellac flakes than arrived recently on one of the reject frames (there are many) for Fame. Here are the results.

First pic - one coat of 1lb cut - almost looks unfinished - very flat and the wood is sealed.

Third pic - three coats 1lb cut - has a nice luster. Each additional coat will add more gloss and deepen the finish as desired. In this test I also applied a thin coat of wax as a top coat.

Thin coats dry superfast - less than 30 minutes - and its sands easily to ensure future adhesion (one of the major reasons I will be using it as I will be applying finish to hard to reach areas as I continue to add assemblies onto the model). Also its easy to repair scratches - just add a little more shellac to the area and they vanish.

IMG_1738.jpg

IMG_1740.jpg
 
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That's the color/tone I'm looking for, Chris.

My blonde shellac came in, and I have to say I was not impressed - especially compared to what was happening to the pear under Danish oil (polymerized linseed with some additives to accelerate curing). But this amber shellac is now worth exploring.

It was my original plan to spend our northern hemisphere winter building out the interior (beams, knees, carlings...) before doing the wales and outer planking. I am now rethinking the wisdom of that. If I change directions and do the outer planking this winter that would also postpone making a final decision on finish allowing more time for experimentation.

I do appreciate how you (Chris) and others have shared your thoughts so generously with me (thanks, also to @RussF who has been sharing his experience with me via PM). You are a fine bunch, and it is such a joy to be a part of this forum.

Let's see, shellac in all its color options, cellulose sanding sealer, varnish, poly, linseed oil, tung oil, traditional stains, bitumen, cuts with turpentine and isopropyl alcohol - no wonder I can't make a decision... :rolleyes: ROTF :oops:
 
Yup I tried blonde shellac and was not a fan of it either on pear. However I will use it on the black hornbeam wales and possibly decking where I do not want any tint/warm tone.

You might want to try Garnet Shellac if you want a deeper shade - I found that interesting as well.

Also if it helps your build sequence - my plan with Fame is to finish installing the frames, complete the stern framing, cut the cross beams over the frames and fair the interior. I will then add the interior floor planks and keys between the frames before removing from the jig. Now that the frame is solid, Ill final fair the exterior and proceed with wales and exterior planking.

Then I will attack the interior, its decks and support structure etc. From my research that's how most builders proceed with this sort of construction.
 
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I ran a test the new amber shellac flakes than arrived recently on one of the reject frames (there are many) for Fame. Here are the results.

First pic - one coat of 1lb cut - almost looks unfinished - very flat and the wood is sealed.

Third pic - three coats 1lb cut - has a nice luster. Each additional coat will add more gloss and deepen the finish as desired. In this test I also applied a thin coat of wax as a top coat.

Thin coats dry superfast - less than 30 minutes - and its sands easily to ensure future adhesion (one of the major reasons I will be using it as I will be applying finish to hard to reach areas as I continue to add assemblies onto the model). Also its easy to repair scratches - just add a little more shellac to the area and they vanish.

View attachment 550969

View attachment 550970
Link to the shellac you're using?
 
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