<html> At 08:03 AM 07/08/2001 -0400, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite cite>It sounds to me like you were using some shellac that was past its shelf life.  I have never heard of it "letting go" of any surface that was reasonably clean, nor have I EVER heard of lacquer having any compatibility problems with shellac whatsoever.  However, when shellac gets old it will never set up, remain kind of rubbery, and crinkle easily, and I could see it possibly shedding a top coat placed on it. Mark Potter</blockquote> I learned the hard way that the shellac available in hardware and paint stores is not the material to use for finishing furniture. You need the de-waxed version. There is a site on the web which carries shellac flakes for making it fresh: <a href="http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/Our%20Catalog.htm" eudora="autourl">http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/Our%20Catalog.htm</a> Regards,</html>