Why I Hate Shellac

I am not a fan of Shellac. I do not like anything built up on the surface of the wood. Iw ant to feel the wood I work with.

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[drhoads]

Title: why I hate shellac
First line: I don't *hate* shellac

[Maninawig]

This taught me three things:
1. Shellac is supposed to be multiple thin layers and not one thick one.
2. I wasn't messing up my application of linseed oil.
3. Woodworkers take pride in the feel and care of their wooden shafts.

[keel]

"I want to feel and taste the wood"

[deborahhale]

Thank you...I'm not alone.
I just refinished an antique chair that was my Great Aunts. I took it to the bare wood, it was beautiful. I used tung oil and buffed and then three more layers of bees wax, wiped the excess off, and buffed it to a smooth, soft finish. I love it. No nits or flaws in the finish, no chipping or flaking over time.

[Vidar]

As someone who actually loves shellac, I still absolutely agree with you 99% of the time. I absolutely hate most coated finishes because it removes that natural feel to the material. I also don't use shellac as a normal finish like laquor. In that 1% of cases where I do use it I do a "french polish" finish with my own home made shellac at different cuts.. Its an insanely tedious and delicate process, but when you do it correctly it can have absolutely gorgeous results especially on darker woods. The finish gives it a really nice warmth and when you do it to wood that already naturally has a bit of a yellowish tone it just becomes too much but on a nice figured walnut? Absolutely stunning. You lose the natural feel but instead it has its own charm.

[sethgeorgson]

As a weekend woodworker, it's hard to know what to choose. I have a bag of shellac flakes I bought six years ago for $35 that I'm still using, and I think I've had my bottle of BLO even longer. I'm fond of both. I'd like to try other finishes, but I don't make all that many things (so I'm hesitant to try a new finish I might not like), and I don't have a lot of spending money for something like Monocoat. Advice from woodworkers like you is invaluable!

[Maninawig]

Title: Why I hate Shellac
First thing said: I don't hate Shellac

[MartinHelton-pm]

you should try using a quality shellac sold in "flake" form & mixed with denatured alcohol. you have complete control of viscosity & always fresh. If you must use canned shellac, always check the date on the can.

[kimmosaarinen]

Boiled lindseed oil user here too. It was the first one I tried on my first projects, so far it's the only one I use :D

[wyssmaster]

I've finished a few projects with shellac and after the first couple turned into big gummy messes I decided to actually look into the proper technique for application. The next couple were incredibly difficult, but that's mostly because it took a lot of willpower to build up a large number of very thin coats. I've French polished exactly one piece and it turned out great, but again it took an incredible effort to not slop on a THICCC coat.

I honestly envy people who actively enjoy the finishing process, because once I'm there all I can think about is the next project.

[RenghisKhan]

I thought this would be about the band. What a relief...

[FalloutUrMum]

When I play guitar and bass I find the "unfinished" necks more comfortable (even though they are finished, just in a manner that you feel the wood) I don't like the way glossy finishes feel more frictiony

[alvagoldbook]

I don’t put any finish at all on most things mostly because the majority of my projects are for the shop and I prefer bare wood in the shop. I do put shellac on my table saw insert and outfeed table. But I also REALLY love the look of wood with a high gloss. Like it was dipped in liquid glass. I love that. Especially on things like guitar necks and furniture.

[JoseReyes-xsjs]

Nice perspective and honesty helps me understand a little bit better 🤙

[jamespeelecarey]

I am a purest.
I only use finishes that require no skill.

[nickdarbenzio]

I totally agree! Started with film finishes then slowly gravitated to your preference. My skin crawls when my friends say, “did you stain it?” Lol.

[NautilusGuitars]

I agree. Building guitars, other factors are a priority, like protection, wear, and the finishes effect on sound when building acoustics. I almost exclusively work with lacquer. But in the past few years, I've been convincing more and more of my clients to get unfinished or lightly finished necks, as the feel is exceptional that way, and it allows much less drag.

[dmcdara]

You left out the main advatage to Shellac. Shellac is the perfect, ultimate primer. (dewaxed Shellac) If you do an oil coat, to make the grain and wood color pop, give a few coats of dewaxed shellac, then add your monocoat, or poly, or anything else. Shellac will stick to anything and anythiing will stick to Shellac. I will admit I use my Earlex 5500 so I dont have a problem with thin coats.

[rogertubbs]

I agree on the point of feeling the wood; particularly when it comes to hand tool handles. That aside, I love Shellac, and with some patience, it goes on quite nicely. It is also quite forgiving in that if you make a mistake on a previous coat, the following coat can remove the mistake as it will reactivate the previous coat enough to allow you to work out the mistake.
I find it wonderful to work with; that's just me, though.

[jeffs.]

"I'm not yew. *cuts to closeup* I'm more of a walnut."

Missed opportunity.