there is an easy answer
of course, if you are under experienced in these matters, get a few scraps of the same type of plywood and experiment with the suggestions offered here. then take it to a reputable professional to be finished in the look you like. i imagine you payed well for this piece, i would hate to see you heartbroken if it didnt turn out well. good luck
Shellac is essentially french...
Shellac is essentially french polish - you can buy shellac sealer or simply use french polish diluted with extra meths (my choice). Use a soft brush (I use a 'polishers mop' but these are expensive for a one off job)and apply quickly becuase it'll dry very fast. Don't go over any parts you miss leave them for the next coat. Apply several coats as you'll be cutting a lot of it back. Leave for a an hour or so and then lightly sand with 400 grade paper to get an even surface (making sure not to cut through your layer of sealer). Use a good wax (Antiquax or similar)with 0000 grade wire wool to wax the seat and keep turning the wire wool. Buff up with a soft cloth or duster and you'll have a perfect satin finish that won't sink into the wood as would happen if you just waxed it.
Weren't antelope seats jut...
Weren't antelope seats jut white? I think that would look better or a coloured seat...in which case slap on some oil based undercoat, give it a light sand, dust it off and brush on some nice hard enamel paint, couldn't be easier!
Whats all this about shellac and wax? Complete nonsense, it looks smooth enough to slap on some polyureathane,
keep it simple simon.
(quote) "Whats all this...
(quote) "Whats all this about shellac and wax? Complete nonsense, it looks smooth enough to slap on some polyureathane"
I am sorry - I've only been restoring furniture for 15 years, learning different skills and techniques. Complete nonsense of course. I could have saved myself the bother as the answer was obviously staring me in the face. Slap on some polyurethane.....
unfortunately a painted...
unfortunately a painted finish - tho' probably the most correct for the bench - is the least viable as a DIY job unless you invest in lots of spray equipment. Brush finishes will always look amateurish. A natural shellac and wax finish is btw, completely and very easily reversable - wax dissolves in white spirit, shellac in meths. You could try as many times as you like without the least chance of damaging the wood. Or of course as my learned friend pointed out, you could 'slap some polyurethane' on, realise it looks horrible and spend a day with nitromors and a scraper. Tough call!
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I think its crazy to get so precious about plywood, a good polyuerathane and a steady hand is all that required for a job like this, look at the photo, its hardly *rolls eyes* crotch mahogony.
I've been making stuff for a while too and never skimp and produce (if I might blow my own trumpet) quite good work.
You have to pick and choose what you can expend a lot of effort on, a molded plywood seat needs a robust finish, I really don't think shellac and wax will cut the mustard.
If it was mine I'd paint it. Undercoat it properly, sand and do it white, use a good brush, pull out any loose bristles beforehand and get stuck into it! If you get a few brush marks give it a light sand between coats and have another shot, no harm in more coats going on!
And white will be easier to re-sell and re-coat in a different colour if you get bored with it.
Applying wax straight onto th...
Applying wax straight onto the wood appeals to me as I can do it at home and sounds relatively easy to do, in short there is less chance of me making a bad job of it
I do like the a painted finish and looking at Festival of Britain photos I have in books they do seem to be painted however for me I think it would be a shame to cover up the grain
This is the ideal finish I would like although I'm not sure if this is acheivable with my limited skills, (I got this picture form Mark Parish site earlier in the year)
Honsetly, a coat of sealer...
Honsetly, a coat of sealer followed by a waxing is the easiest thing on earth to do - its nearly impossible to get wrong!! Follow the advice Race themselves gave you!! If you're stil really worried take it to a french polisher who will do you a finish like the picture for £50
keep it simple!
all this advise on a simple 2-hour job is really bothersome.
Wipe that darn ply seat with some mineral spirits...you like the look then buy a $5.00 can of DEFT clear wood (laquer) Satin finish and simply spray on 3 - 5 coats and wait a few days, then buff with 0000 steel wool. If there is any invisiable spotting it will show after wiping with spirits, then you will need to sand lightly (in direction of grain) with 220 grit then wipe again to clean and check uniformity. Your seat will look as good or better than the one pictured. you can still wax later if you like, not really neccesary though.
Do remove the seat from frame to avoid spraying frame. I find that many "long time" or old school refinishers are not current on new products and methods. also, if you really wanted a nice painted finish, there is brushable (self-leveling) paints out there that will look sprayed showing no brush marks.
If it were my bench, I would encapsulate all exposed ply edges, this would keep it from delaminating in any environment.
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