What it is.

Shellawax is a "foolproof", one-coat finishing product specially developed for lathe use. It is (to our knowledge) the fastest and easiest-to-use product on the market that instantly gives an unprecedentedly beautiful shine to all wooden objects. It is used with the lathe switched on and forms one with the wood as a result of friction and heat. It dries instantly so the workpiece can therefore be tackled immediately. Shellawax is also reasonably resistant to water, alcohol and the like after complete curing (over a period of about 3 weeks). Because Shellawax penetrates deep into the wood and forms a single entity with it, it is not a finishing layer on top of the wood, but a permanent finish in the wood, making a Shellawax finish much more difficult to damage than, for example, a traditional lacquer layer.

What is it made of?

Shellawax, as the name suggests, is a combination of (hard) shellac and various types of wax, including carnauba and beeswax. It is a product specially developed for finishing turned and carved wooden, plastic and stone objects, the main application being a fast and very beautiful finish for woodturning.

How does it work?

The hardener in the product is activated by the heat released during the application of Shellawax. Once the surface is dry (almost immediately), a process begins which causes the Shellawax to bond with the wood and cure the finish. Although the complete curing process takes about 3 weeks, the products can be fully handled immediately after application without danger of slowing down the curing process. Alcohol, water and the like can disturb the process, however, so carefully finished turnings should definitely not come into contact with these during the first few weeks.

The advantages!

• Can be applied directly to bare wood while the workpiece is still in the lathe.
• Completely finished in one go without drying times; the workpiece can therefore be tackled immediately after that one treatment and is not greasy or sticky.
• In contrast to a finish with, for example, polyurethane varnish, the finish does not sit on but in the wood and is therefore much less vulnerable.
• With one and the same product, both a really beautiful high gloss and a softer silk gloss can be achieved.
• If applied properly, the gloss remains, in contrast to, for example, using oil, which requires several layers to achieve a "permanent" result.
• Although by no means necessary, the product can be combined with various other oils and waxes if desired.
• Shellawax can be used for turning work between centres as well as larger bowls, for example, and is also excellent for finishing wood carvings.
• After application, Shellawax is completely safe for articles that come into contact with foodstuffs.
• Application is very easy

The disadvantages!

• Shellawax is shellac-based and is therefore not resistant to long-term exposure to alcohol.
• Shellawax is not weatherproof and therefore not suitable for outdoor products.
• Because the finish with Shellawax is so fast, you create even more beauty that all needs to be given a place.
• This beautiful finish also allows you to keep pieces that would previously have disappeared in the stove, so that even more space is needed...

How do I use it?

Before using Shellawax, get started with sandpaper. The more precise and fine you sand, the more beautiful the end result will be. If you find it too much work to sand workpieces to 320-grit or finer, Shellawax is not the product you are looking for; a hefty block whitener and a jar of random oil from a hardware store will do the trick. On the other hand, if you do want to deliver a perfect-looking workpiece, for most workpieces you will sand successively with grit 180, 220, 320, 400, 600 and finer if you wish. For pins and other workpieces that are taken in hand and looked at up close, sand further with grit 600, 800, 1000, 1200 and finer if you wish. The best results are achieved by sanding to 1200-grit or finer. Not a fan of sanding or short on time? Then just read on and be sure to check out the EEE-Ultrashine product!

Once the workpiece has been sanded, apply Shellawax as follows:

For small work between centres (up to about 10 mm diameter)

Moisten a small piece of a clean cloth with Shellawax and apply it directly to the workpiece while the lathe is switched on and the workpiece is turning at the highest, safe speed possible. Press the cloth against the workpiece as firmly as possible and move the cloth across the workpiece as you would with sandpaper until the workpiece has acquired a brilliant sheen. For very dry wood or wood with coarse pores, it may be more comfortable to apply Shellawax while the lathe is stationary and then switch it on to continue as described above.

For larger work between centres (up to about 100 mm diameter)

Stop the lathe. Moisten a clean cloth with Shellawax and apply it directly to the workpiece in an even layer thickness. Switch on the lathe, moisten the cloth again with Shellawax and continue as described above, keeping a constant, even and above all firm pressure on the workpiece with the moist part of the cloth. It is this firm pressure that develops the heat of friction necessary for the Shellawax gloss to reach its full potential.

If you wish to apply an additional layer, you can do so immediately after applying the first layer. For an even deeper, more brilliant shine, lightly sand the surface with 1200-grit paper after applying the first coat and then apply a second coat of Shellawax.

For bowls, plates, vases, pots and the like

Stop the lathe. Moisten a clean cloth with Shellawax and apply it directly to the workpiece in an even layer thickness. Switch on the lathe, moisten the cloth again with Shellawax and rub it firmly against the part of the workpiece just smeared as described above. When doing so, work slowly from the centre to the edge of the workpiece, always keeping sufficient pressure on the cloth so that there is continuous enough frictional heat. When you have covered the entire workpiece, quickly go over the entire workpiece with the moist Shellawax cloth and then rub it with a clean cloth.

With bowls and larger work between centres, you may get very fine lines in the surface. These are caused by the threads of the cloth and the speed at which Shellawax dries. To remove these, after applying the first coat, lightly sand the workpiece with 1200-grit paper or EEE-Ultrashine and then apply a second coat of Shellawax.

An even more pleasant way of working for bowls and larger work between centres is to use Shellawax Cream which has been specially developed for that purpose.

Wood carvings and work that cannot be turned

Shellawax can also be used to add a beautiful sheen to wood carvings and items that cannot be turned. To finish such pieces, put some Shellawax on a cloth and apply it to the surface, then rub the surface firmly until the desired sheen is achieved. Alternatively, Shellawax can be applied, allowed to dry and then rubbed with a clean, soft cloth to produce a slightly more matt sheen. When doing this, always work in smaller pieces of about 15 cm square. For larger surfaces, it is advisable to use a polisher.

The various products at a glance

Shellawax

This liquid version of this unique finishing product is used for smaller workpieces, wood carvings and to dilute Shellawax cream to the desired thickness.

Shellawax cream

The same product as Shellawax, but slightly thicker. The advantage of this cream is that it dries more slowly and does not run off the workpiece as easily. Especially meant for larger turning jobs.

EEE-Ultrashine

The polish specially developed for use in combination with Shellawax products. Not only gives a beautifully smooth surface, but also saves a lot of sanding work. By sanding the workpiece to around 400 grit and then applying EEE-Ultrashine, you get the same effect as you would if you sanded manually to 2000 grit. Moreover, by using EEE-Ultrashine, any imperfections become visible and you have the opportunity to fix them before applying the finishing coat of Shellawax. Only if you really love sanding do not buy this product. In all other cases, always order a jar of EEE-Ultrashine with your Shellawax order.

Shellawax in combination with Shellawax cream

As you have read, Shellawax is intended for smaller work, while Shellawax cream generally works better for slightly larger work. For even larger work, e.g. bowls over 45 cm in diameter, a combination of both products is recommended. Mix Shellawax and Shellawax cream in a ratio of about 50 / 50. This produces a more liquid paste that stays on the surface longer and gives you more time to work the entire surface. The ratio can be adjusted to your own preference, e.g. 20% cream and 80% Shellawax for (very) large bowls of 90 cm or larger.

Shellawax as a thinner for Shellawax cream

Use Shellawax also as a thinner for Shellawax cream. During use, the contents of the pot of Shellawax cream will thicken slightly. Add a dash of Shellawax to restore the cream to the desired fluidity. This will also extend the life of the cream.

Always shake the cream firmly before use to "loosen" it.

Proper preparation is the secret to a brilliant finish!

Is it safe?

Once applied, Shellawax is completely safe for workpieces that come into contact with food, such as salad bowls. All Shellawax ingredients are also used in the food industry, cosmetics and the like.

Please note: In its liquid form, Shellawax contains substances such as ethanol, which then make the product flammable and toxic. However, once Shellawax is applied to the workpiece, these solvents dissipate and a 100% non-toxic, non-flammable finish is left behind both in and on the wood.

Can Shellawax be used over oil?

Yes, Shellawax can be applied over most oil products provided they are completely dry. However, Shellawax has been specially developed to be applied directly on the untreated wood so that Shellawax can penetrate into the wood as well as possible and the finish can become one with the work. Although you can apply it over oil, this has no advantage and only involves more work, costs and time.

Can Shellawax be applied over stain?

Yes, provided you use water-based stain. Shellawax does not give good results over other stains.

PLEASE NOTE!

• Although we are convinced of the qualities of the products we offer, neither we nor the manufacturer can accept any liability for problems and/or damage caused directly or indirectly during or by the use of these products. Always try out the products to be used on a piece of waste wood before application. This will give you a feeling for the products concerned and any problems will be recognised in time.
• Some floors may become slippery from flying Shellawax splashes.
• Shellawax can act as a stripper on some painted and polished surfaces. So clean up splashes and drips immediately.
• If Shellawax is applied by brush or sprayer, clean the tools used immediately. If you give Shellawax a chance to dry, the tools are likely to be worthless.
• Shellawax contains alcohol solutions.
• So keep the products away from heat, sparks, open flames, cigarettes and other sources of ignition!
• Do not swallow! Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged skin contact as well as inhaling the vapours.
• Keep Shellawax out of reach of children!