Shellac is a wood finishing product, obtained by dissolving a dry resin in denatured alcohol. It was used extensively for finishing furniture during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and is still on the market today. It is a well-known product because it is easy to apply, has little odor and has a completely natural origin. Shellac is non-toxic and has even been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a candy glaze. Therefore, by learning to apply it, you will have a simple and completely natural method to finish and seal your woodwork.
Steps
Step 1. Prepare the area to be finished by sanding it
Use coarse sandpaper, trying to work the piece in its entirety. If there is an old finish on the wood, be sure to remove it completely. After sanding, wipe the wood with a clean cloth to remove dust and grime.
Step 2. Pour some shellac into a bowl
Avoid dipping the brush directly into the shellac container to avoid contaminating the product with dust and other wood residues. Instead, pour the shellac into another container, into which you will go to dip the brush.
Step 3. Choose a brush suitable for the job you need to do
Shellac can be applied with a natural bristle brush (Chinese bristle is ideal) or a synthetic bristle brush. Note that it can be difficult to clean shellac from a natural bristle brush without damaging the bristles. Do not use a sponge brush, because shellac tends to dry on the brush too quickly, risking hardening.
Step 4. Dip the brush in shellac
Dip the brush into the container that contains the shellac and gently press to the side to remove the excess.
Step 5. Apply shellac to the wood
It must be applied by making long and smooth strokes, following the grain of the wood to have a uniform application. Shellac dries very quickly, so it's important to work quickly and efficiently.
If you neglected to apply shellac in one place, avoid making touch-ups. Since it dries very quickly, partially dried shellac does not blend smoothly with the cooler layer. The point you have forgotten will become less noticeable after you do the other passes
Step 6. Allow the shellac to dry before sanding the finish
Let the first coat dry completely. You will probably only have to wait 30 minutes in a well-ventilated area. Once it is dry, lightly sand with a fine grit sandpaper to prepare the wood for the next coat.
Step 7. Apply the second coat of shellac
Roll out the second pass as you did before, being careful to work in the direction of the grain. When the second coat is dry, you can sand again and apply another coat, or just leave the wood with two coats of shellac.
Step 8. Clean the brush
You can remove shellac from the brush with a mixture of water and ammonia. Therefore, mix ammonia and water in equal parts and then dip the bristles of the brush into the mixture. Rinse it and let it dry before putting it away.
