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Quick question for the FP gurus.

I've been using the Milborn method for FP but I see no mention of what cut to use for the spit coat.
I seem to recall a 2# cut. It's been 2 years since I finished my first and can't remember what I did.

Thanks.

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Horton, MI

Ok let use logic to determine what cut to use.

First what is a spit coat for? To seal color and give a base film for future shellac applications to adhere to. With this known, can we deduce what cut to use. Well to seal color we don’t need a heavy cut we just need to seal the wood. When using shellac as a sealer 1# cut is sufficient with most any top coat. Now to provide a base film for future Shellac application to adhere to; pretty much the same principle would apply. So we can deduce that a 1# cut would be sufficient. A 2# cut would not hurt any thing but is not needed for a seal coat..

Thanks Michael, I was hoping you would chime in.

Yes, to everything above. I want to seal, then pore fill with pumice and continue on with the FP process.
I have a 1# cut mixed up, so it looks like I'll be all set. I presume it will just take more applications to get
enough build up to start my pumice fill.

I inquired a week or so ago about egg white filling, but I think at this point I'll stick with the shellac.

Best Regards.

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Horton, MI

If you have not yet filled let my say that most first time FB mistakes are directly related to pumice filling. The Milburn tutorial is a great tutorial to follow. pay particular attention to the statement that the best thing you can do while pumice filling is to loose your shellac. While the shellac during pumice filling is the both carrier and bonding agent of the fibers the pumice cuts off the wood and entraps in the pores it takes very little and you will have enough residual in the inner pad. Too much and the pumice only floats, never cuts the wood and cakes up and entrapped on the surface.

Egg white, CA and epoxy filling is far less work with far less chances to cause rework. That said Pumice filling is a great way to fill. Just keep in mind that the shellac is only carrier and bonding agent, wood fibers are the major solids of the fill.

Yep, lose the shellac.

I have done this once with good results. I did have a problem with too much pumice, and
had to move it around to get rid of it. That was a pain.

The egg whites aren't totally out of the picture yet.

Thanks again.

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Horton, MI