Whether you’re a die-hard do-it-yourselfer or just purchased unfinished furniture that you’re planning to modify to your exact preference, finishing furniture can provide the ultimate satisfaction.
Determining which finish is the best to cap off all of your hard work is an important decision which ultimately depends on how durable you want the finish to be and how you want the wood to look.
There are many types of furniture finishes, but today’s article will focus on shellac and varnish.
Shellac earns some bonus points for being one of the easiest furniture finishes to apply. In contrast to the fine finish it provides, shellac is by no means durable.
This classic finish is renowned for its ability to emphasize wood’s natural grain. However, this finish is best applied to furniture that will be looked at more than it will be used. Shellac is water and alcohol soluble, which will result in white rings from cups or other objects. Humid conditions during application can cause shellac finish to turn white. While these issues are easily corrected, they may not be worth the hassle.
Varnish is perhaps shellac’s polar opposite. It is amongst the most durable furniture finishes and causes furniture to be alcohol, water, impact and heat resistant. While varnish will provide a clear finish, it has been know to slightly darken wood.
There are a number of different varnish types and the ideal one to use varies greatly with each furniture type. Water-based, resin and oil-based, synthetic and spray varnishes are among your finishing options. Discuss specific needs with an employee at the time of purchase for particular advice and application techniques.