Tom,
You are right. Never judge a finish until several days have passed. A good finish is like a fine wine, it takes time.
Full cure on any finish doesn't occurr until all of the thinners and solvents have evaporated. Smell is a good test. If you can smell it, they haven't evaporated, and the finish has not fully cured.
Lacquer does indeed need to sit for a few days before it is ready. Shellac takes longer, and doesn't reach full hardness for several months. This could be another reason that some folks are finding shellac too soft as a finish on their pens.
You are right. Never judge a finish until several days have passed. A good finish is like a fine wine, it takes time.
Full cure on any finish doesn't occurr until all of the thinners and solvents have evaporated. Smell is a good test. If you can smell it, they haven't evaporated, and the finish has not fully cured.
Lacquer does indeed need to sit for a few days before it is ready. Shellac takes longer, and doesn't reach full hardness for several months. This could be another reason that some folks are finding shellac too soft as a finish on their pens.