Shellac has been used as a protective wood coating for centuries. Made from the resin secreted by the female lac bug, shellac creates a durable, amber-toned finish that brings out the natural beauty of wooden furniture and other projects (The Unique Properties of Shellac).
While varnishes and polyurethane have surpassed shellac in popularity over the years, many woodworkers still prefer using shellac for its warm glow, ease of application, and easy repair-ability (Shellac Finish Maintenance and Repair). This article will teach you all you need to know as a beginner for applying shellac finish to your next woodworking project.
| Key Takeaways |
| – Shellac is an amber-toned, natural wood finish made from lac bug resin |
| – Environmentally-friendly and faster-drying than oils and varnishes |
| – Enhances wood grain, easy to apply and repair |
| – Less durable than polyurethane but provides a warm, attractive glow |
| – Prepare shellac from flakes or use premixed liquid |
| – Apply 3-5 thin coats for best protection |
| – Add wax for scratch resistance and water protection |
| – Adjust sheen from high gloss to matte |
| – Can distress and stain shellac for decorative effects |
The Unique Properties of Shellac
Shellac has some advantages over more modern wood finishes:
- Environmentally-friendly finish made from natural resin
- Dries to a rich amber color that enhances natural wood tones
- Less brush marks compared to oil-based varnish
- Faster drying time than varnishes and oils
- Easy to repair – new coats dissolve into previous ones
- Decent moisture resistance though less than some finishes
- Not as durable or protective as polyurethane
Understanding shellac’s strengths and limitations will help you decide if it’s a good choice for your next woodworking project.
Preparing and Applying Shellac
Getting good results from shellac relies on proper preparation and application technique:
Types of Shellac
Shellac flakes must be dissolved in denatured alcohol to create liquid shellac for application. You can also buy premixed shellac.
- Shellac flakes – Give the most control over shellac quality. Most common are blonde (light) and orange (amber)
- Premixed liquid shellac – Convenient and consistent. Available in different shellac qualities and colors
Brushes for Shellac
- Use good brushes made for shellac – give smooth application with no stray bristles
- Natural bristle brushes better than synthetic – give smoother flow
- Brush quality and shellac prep impacts finish look
Proper Shellac Consistency
If shellac is too thick:
- Hard to apply smoothly
- Brush strokes visible
- Surface imperfections and bubbles
If shellac is too thin:
- Doesn’t build protective film
- Requires many coats
Test consistency on glass and adjust alcohol levels as needed.
Applying Shellac
- Wipe wood with a tack rag before applying
- Apply quickly to avoid overlaps with light, full-length brushstrokes
- Let dry 2 hours then sand lightly before adding next coat
- Typically 3-5 thin coats for desired protection
Shellac Finish Maintenance and Repair
While shellac finishes are susceptible to scratches and water damage without proper care, they can last years with light use. Simple techniques can also effectively repair or restore damaged shellac:
- Dust frequently and use coasters under glasses to prevent scratches and rings
- Apply paste wax or buff with extra fine (#0000) steel wool for added water resistance
- Lightly sand scratches and touch up with matching shellac
- Strip old shellac with denatured alcohol if needed to renew finish
Proper care and prompt touch ups will maintain your shellac’s beauty over time.
Achieving Different Shellac Looks
While natural shellac has an amber tone, you can modify the finish in different ways:
Adjust Sheen
- More shellac coats increase glossiness
- For a matte look, apply wax or extremely fine (#0000) steel wool
Color Shellac
- Pre-stain wood for coloring then apply tinted shellac
- Add oil-based stain pigments directly into shellac
- Mix different shellac tones – orange, blonde, garnet
Distressing Techniques
- Lightly sand edges and contours before applying shellac
- Use steel wool for wear patterns after coats dry
- Simulate white rings and scratches with baby powder
Shellac allows for many decorative finishes from high-gloss to antique patinas.
Conclusion
As you can see, mastering shellac as a wood finish does require some specific knowledge but offers beautiful, durable results. While not the most protective option, shellac excels at enhancing natural wood grain patterns and allows for easy repairs and adjustments over time.
The keys are using fresh shellac mixed at the proper consistency, applying with smooth brushstrokes, allowing ample drying time between thin coats. Caring for shellac with regular dusting and wax also maintains its elegance.
With some practice on wood scraps, beginners can quickly pick up the techniques for repairing damages and altering sheens or colors. We invite you to experiment with different shellac finishing effects on your next woodworking creation. Please share photos and tips in our community woodworking forums. Now that you have the basics, it’s time to put shellac to work elevating your wood’s natural beauty!
FAQs About Shellac Wood Finish
New woodworkers often have some common questions when starting out with shellac. Here are answers to a few frequently asked ones:
How long does shellac take to dry?
Shellac typically dries to the touch within 10-30 minutes in normal indoor temperatures. It reaches full cure in about 1-2 hours then can be sanded and recoated if needed.
Does shellac get lighter as it dries?
Shellac made from orange flakes results in a rich amber tone when wet but dries to a lighter blonde/lemon shade over time. Blonde shellac appears even lighter white when dried out. So expect the wet shellac to be darker than the cured finish shade.
Is dewaxed or waxed shellac better?
For final finish coats, dewaxed shellac provides the best adhesion for additional coats over time. Waxed shellac however offers a bit more water resistance. Most woodworkers recommend dewaxed shellac for the first few coats, then waxed shellac for the final protective layers.
Can you use water-based polyurethane over shellac?
Oil-based polyurethane is not recommended over shellac finishes since the solvents can react with the shellac layers underneath. Water-based poly however bonds well over fully cured shellac to provide added protection when needed.
Below are three external links that could be relevant to this article:
Shellac Finishes – Popular Woodworking guide to shellac types, preparation, application and tips
Using Shellac – YouTube video demonstrating shellac application techniques
Amber Shellac Guide – Homestead Finishing Products’ guide to achieving an amber shellac finish