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So the first major mistake of my first build has nothing to do with the ultimate finished product. I received the supplies to start my first build from LMI yesterday. Everything looks great, by the way. Anyhow, included in the shipment was 2 radius dishes, and I thought it would be a good idea to seal them with shellac to restrict movement. Went to Lowes and picked up some of the pre-mixed sandable sealing shellac I've heard some of you mention. I had some disposable brushes and didn't think of cleanup, so I didn't pick up any denatured alcohol or mineral spirits. I get home and while I'm unloading the bags, the can falls to the concrete drive, the lid pops open and about 1/4th of the can pours onto driveway. I got paper towels to soak some up, scrubbed with gasoline, borrowed the neighbor's power-washer and still have a large nasty brown stain in the middle of the drive. Is there any way to get the stain out, or am I screwed?

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Aaron Craig

Alcohol is the proper solvent for shellac.

I will try alcohol when I get home. However, I think all that remains after yesterday's cleaning is the pigmentation of the shellac in the pores of the concrete. Do you think scrubbing with alcohol followed by another round of power-washing will be sufficient to lift the stain?

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Aaron Craig

Maybe you should just shellac the whole driveway???

Kidding

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

That thought had crossed my mind. To add insult to injury, since I didn't power-wash the entire drive, I now have a big stain surrounded by a large very clean patch of pretty white concrete in the middle of an otherwise dingy gray drive. Guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

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Aaron Craig

If you are that fussy about a driveway, I predict that you will make a good guitar builder. Most of us seem to be fussy types...

My guess is that after exposure to the sun and rain, the day will come when your driveway evens out just fine.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Yep, I'm afraid I have a bit of the perfectionist gene. Unfortunately, my general clumsiness often leads to unfortunate and sometimes embarrassing conflicts with my type A personality. I always thought I would grow out of the clumsiness; guess I'll have to keep waiting.

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Aaron Craig

Dont know your experience and dont wish to sound condescending
but clumsiness and tablesaws etc don't mix
so be careful mate!

clumsiness and tablesaws etc don't mix
so be careful mate![/quote]

Note to self!!

Jointers scare the heck out of me.............

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Point taken. I have an older table saw that really isn't that safe anyway, but use it very sparingly. I'll use hand tools and the bandsaw much more on this project though I suspect. I thoroughly aim to complete this build will all my digits still in tact. I have some (key word) prior amateur woodworking/carpentry experience and, knowing of my propensity to be a klutz, attempt to take all reasonable precautions to remain safe.

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Aaron Craig

hmmm. a French Polished driveway, very classy.

What are you going to use as a pore filler? You know there are going to be some serious craters.

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Aoibeann

I can relate to this as I tipped over a quart of lacquer on my work bench a couple years ago. I was quick enough to prevent loosing the entire quart but it sure smelled bad for a few hours. My driveway could use some pore filler also but at least I have a lacquered bench top on one end.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

The driveway spill story has nothing on the guy who spilled a whole bottle of thin CA on his shop stool... & then sat down! I'd take the driveway stain any day.

Well for as long as you live in this house, you'll remember your guitar every time you come home!!
I'd prbably try some alcohol followed quickly by the power washer over the whole driveway.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Household ammonia will dissolve shellac. Probably cheaper and faster than cleaning up with alcohol.

I've removed stains from my driveway with Drano, or concrete cleaner when I could find it. I believe lye is the active ingredient in both. Pour a bit on and scrub with a stiff bristled broom. Keep a garden hose nearby to neutralize the lye when finished.

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Jim Womack

"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for. "
Will Rogers