Shellac is a furniture finish that is considered to be one of the more classic finishes available. It is a fine finish that calls attention to the wood’s natural grain.
While there are many benefits of choosing shellac as a finish, there is one fairly important downside to consider: it is not very durable.
Look into Furniture Finishes – Part 1 and Furniture Finishes – Part 2 for more information on the different types of finishes.
Warning: Shellac damages easily and is not an ideal finish for furniture subject to heavy daily use. It’s better suited for “display pieces”. The finish dissolves in water and alcohol, which can lead to white rings.
Do not apply shellac in humid conditions because the moisture in the air will turn the finish white. Shellac finishes have been known to absorb moisture and can become hazy over time.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Shellac (4-pound cut)
- Denatured alcohol
- Fine brush
- Tack cloth
- Grade 7/0 open-coat sandpaper
- Padded sanding block
- No. 0000 steel wool
- Quality paste wax
- Soft cloth
- Furniture (properly prepared, sanded and sealed)
Steps:
- “Cut” the shellac by mixing 4 parts shellac with 1 part alcohol.
- Wipe down the surface of the wood with a tack cloth immediately before applying the shellac.
- Apply the shellac liberally on the surface with smooth, long strokes along the grain of the wood. Keep the surface of the wood wet with the shellac. Apply shellac from dry to wet edges.
- After the surface is completely coated, use an almost dry brush to “tip-off” the shellac. Hold the brush at a slight angle and lightly stroke the surface in order to even the surface and remove brush marks. Brush along the grain of the wood.
- Wait a full four hours before re-coating the surface. It will dry in 30 minutes, but it will pick up shreds of steel wool or sandpaper grains if you try to smooth it before 4 hours. When completely dry, gently sand the surface with the 7/0 grade open-coat sandpaper wrapped around a padded sanding block. Clean the surface with a tack cloth and apply a second coat.
- Repeat the process and apply a 3rd coat.
- Let the final coat harden 48 hours. Take the No. 0000 steel wool and rub carefully along the grain of the wood, in order to remove the gloss from the surface. It is important to not rub against the grain.
- Let it stand for another 48 hours. Apply the paste wax to the finished furniture. Then buff the surface with a soft cloth until it shines.