Shellac and other finish

[KreherGuitars]

Recently finished my first French polish. Took a long time to get it looking nice. And I’m not really impressed with the finishing method. The slightest touch of a fingernail will make a crater. I have experience with nitro and prefer the end result. I don’t have access to a spray room anymore. So I’m looking for a brush or rub on finish. Is there a shellac that I can buy that is more dense? Or way to spice up the recipe to make it harder? And or is there recommendations for an alternative finish? I have been thinking about crystalac water based. Please give me all your recommendations and advice

[kiwigeo]

Try hard shellac. I use the hard shellac produced by Shines. Trevor Gore also uses it on his french polished instruments.

[johnparchem]

I use Royal Lac, a modified shellac that is much more durable on some of my instrument. Using straight shellac I find that it takes about a month before the finish truly cures. Even longer if the finish is thick. Once cured shellac stands up to normal wear and tear.

[kiwigeo]

I use Royal Lac, a modified shellac that is much more durable on some of my instrument. Using straight shellac I find that it takes about a month before the finish truly cures. Even longer if the finish is thick. Once cured shellac stands up to normal wear and tear.

Normal shellac is surprisingly durable if you give it time to cure properly. All of my early builds were french polished with straight shellac and are still looking ok after 5 years of use by a guitarist in an Indie band

[yakka]

this is hard shellac
http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8719

http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8719

works very well
regards
chris