Cellulose finish?

[Bill21]

For most of my turned items I simply apply cellulose sanding sealer, de-nib when dry then apply some Microcrystalline Wax. This is a very quick finish and seems quite durable. The other day though I had a very tiny piece of turned wood to finish which didn’t really need grain filling and I didn’t particularly want to sand further.
I then noticed my bottle of sanding sealer had separated as usual so wondered if I could just use the liquid for a finish. I dipped a cotton bud into the liquid and wiped it onto the piece and it worked fine.

I’m now wondering why Chestnut or others don’t make a wipe on cellulose lacquer?

The job is done now but I remembered I also have some wipe on Melamine Lacquer so I could have used that.
It was bought some years ago but has languished unused in my finishing box.

Any thoughts? I generally don’t like spraying finishes, much preferring a wiped or brush application.

[BrianH]

Slightly off piste I know but I wonder if I am the only woody who cant use cellulose? The fumes affect my heart rhythm. A truly horrible experience. I dont think Ive always had these problems so it must have come on with age.
Brian

[Twisted Trees]

Bill

the clear bit in cellulose sanding sealer is cellulose solvent. The yellow bit is what gets left on the wood when you finish. That is a shellac base on most brands I think, don't intend to make my own so never really looked it up.

I think Melamine Lacquer has a shelf life so at least test on a piece of scrap before use!

Ever thought of making your own wipe on poly ? it is basically a much thinned down polyurethane (oil based) varnish with white spirits. some brands add some linseed oil as well, room to experiment!

[Bill21]

Yes, making a wipe on poly might be worth some experimentation.

[Valkrider]

I am in Spain I can buy cellulose lacquer and thinners at my local paint shop. I buy both and mix 50/50 and just brush this on and then wipe the excess off after about a minute. See if you can buy similar in the UK.

[Bill21]

Thanks Colin. I may give that a try.

[Bill21]

Bill

the clear bit in cellulose sanding sealer is cellulose solvent.

I tried it again yesterday and it obviously isn’t just solvent as it leaves a nice sealed finish but without the usual roughness.    I’m guessing the stuff at the bottom of the bottle is the component that fills the pores of the wood and makes sanding easier. The rest I suppose is lacquer and solvent.
Next up is to try the malamine.