Oxford Shellac Sealer

Oxford UltraSeal-WB Water-Based Shellac Sealer & Barrier Coating

Available in Blonde (3000) Amber (3100) Garnet (3200) and Golden Red (3300)

Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ is a water-based dewaxed shellac finish designed to function as a sealer and barrier coating for use on wood construction and restoration applications. Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ is made from the highest grade of dewaxed shellac available, dispersed into a water phase through our unique Emulsion Technology Chemistries (EmTech™) process.

Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ can be used on all interior wood surfaces that require undercoat conditioning, pre-stain sealing or sanding sealer applications.  UltraSeal-WB also demonstrates excellent barrier coat capabilities on contaminated and smoke-damaged surfaces. UltraSeal-WB is compatible for use with all water-based lacquers, urethanes and latex paints. UltraSeal-WB demonstrates excellent bonding properties when used as a tie-coat between oil-based stains, glazes and topcoats.  UltraSeal-WB can be tinted with a wide range of water-soluble aniline dyes and universal pigments.

All surfaces to be finished must be clean, dry and free of excess contamination.  Proper surface preparation is the key to a successful finish. The following procedures will help to ensure a quality finish:

Reduce Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ 25% by liquid volume with water to allow for deeper penetration into the wood substrate in order to control blotching and inconsistent colour control during stain or dye applications.  Sand surface to be conditioned with 220-grit or finer sandpaper to tighten grain. Apply 1 coat of reduced conditioner.  Allow to dry for 45 minutes to 1 hour before fine sanding and evaluating for colour coat application.

Use Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ undiluted to act as a traditional shellac sanding sealer on all types of domestic and exotic wood species.  The unique properties of the dewaxed shellac resin within UltraSeal-WB will produce a depth-of-image and colour tone generation identical to alcohol cut shellac.  Sand wood substrate with 220 or 320-grit sandpaper based on grain density and porosity of wood being sealed.  Apply 1 coat of undiluted UltraSeal-WB via brush, spray or wipe application (see Application Methods).  The first coat of UltraSeal-WB will penetrate and dry to the touch within 15-20 minutes. Allow to dry for 45 minutes to 1 hour before fine sanding and evaluating for colour coat application.

Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ acts as a thin film forming barrier/bonding coat to improve adhesion and film formation qualities over contaminated surfaces.  Apply a wet film thickness of 1-2 mils and allow to dry for a minimum of 1 hour before evaluating for second coat.  Sand first coat with 600-grit sandpaper and remove dust with water dampened lint-free cloth. Avoid wax/oil impregnated tack clothes.  Apply second coat and evaluate when dry.

Brush Applications: Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ can be brush applied with any quality synthetic bristle brush. It is preferred that a short length Oxford Sable-Lite™ bristle brush is used for best product control.  Foam brushes are also suggested.  Apply by evenly brushing UltraSeal-WB over prepared surface. Overlap wet film by 10% to maintain a wet edge for better layout. Do not over-brush material. Avoid brushing onto tacky surfaces.  Allow air and brush strokes to settle into the drying film formation. UltraSeal-WB can be retarded with Target SA5 Retarder™ to help slow the wet-edge set time for better control when brushing large areas. After each use wash brush with warm, soapy water, then rinse with fresh water and allow to air dry. 

Wipe-On Applications: Lightly dampened a folded length of lint-free cotton cloth or gauze with water and wring until water is removed.  Pour Oxford UltraSeal-WB into cloth pad to load with a workable amount of material.  Wipe UltraSeal-WB in the direction of grain pattern, over-lapping by 50%.  Reload cloth pad with material before pad begins to drag or feel dry. Only reapply UltraSeal-WB when the last coat has thoroughly dried. UltraSeal-WB can be retarded with Target SA5 Retarder™ to help slow the wet-edge set time for better control when wiping large areas. Do not apply over tacky surfaces.  Thoroughly wash cloth with warm, soapy water, and then rinse with clear water before reusing.

Spray Applications: Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ can be spray applied with a variety of compressed air, turbine and airless spray gun systems.  Consult with your spray equipment manufacturer for the best spray gun configurations.

Application Specifications

Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ can be applied in temperatures ranging from 45°F (7°C) to 120°F (49°C) with humidity ranging from 20% to 100%. Ideal application conditions of 70°F (21°C) 50% RH is recommended.  At this temperature/humidity level UltraSeal-WB will dry to the touch within 20 minutes at a film thickness of 2 mils wet. Depending on porosity and condition of the substrate sanding of the dried coat can commence within 45 minutes to 1 hour of set time.

Clean Up

Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ cleans with warm, fresh water and mild detergent. No Alcohol or ammonia is required.  Thoroughly rinse all brushes, spray equipment and rags with a water/detergent solution, then final rinse with basic tap water.

Physical Specifications

Solids by weight:     22.5 – 25.0%nv                       VOC:                65 Grams per Litre
Weight:                      8.50 lb./Gal.                             HAPS:              0.0
Viscosity:                   17 sec. Zahns 2 Cup             pH:                   7.0 –7.5
Shelf Life:                   24+ Months                             Flash Point:   212°F (100°C)

This unique product can be used on wood, fiberboard, sheet-rock, stone, glass and metal surfaces to act as a underlying sealer or barrier coat to ensure proper adhesion of any water-based or solvent-based topcoat system.

Here are a few examples of what Oxford UltraSeal-WB Shellac Sealer & Barrier Coat looks like on commonly used fine furniture wood species.

Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ Number 3000 Blonde on Flamed Maple	Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ Number 3000 Blonde on Rosewood
Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ Number 3000 Blonde on Spruce	Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ Number 3200 Garnet on Flamed Maple
Oxford UltraSeal-WB™ Number 3200 Garnet on Cherry