080 - Shellac 101

In this video I answer some questions like what is Shellac, how to mix it, mixing ratios for 2lb cuts, and how to apply it in basic forms.

In future episodes I'll explore french polishing.

---

Follow me on

Support me and free woodworking content at

---
Music

[mitchellw]

FINALLY! ANOTHER AUSSIE! Instructions I can understand, in metric

[grouchogroucho]

I've just mixed up my first batch of shellac and have been surprised how long it takes for the shellac to dissolve. It has been 24 hours and it is still very gluggy. I'll wait another day and see what it looks like. Am restoring an old Yamaha guitar and the shellac is going on the sound board in place of the original poly from 60 years ago. Great video - thanks.

[christschool]

If you put the shellac into a blender, you can speed up the melting process very quickly. Its also a good ideal to use a clear sealer shellac before putting on the darker shellac. If you noticed, there is some spotting on the sample with the amber shellac. Applying a pre-coat of clear shellac would prevent the spotting in the darker shellac.

[ScrapwoodCity]

Very interesting, I have to try shellac one day! I have often seen luthiers use it, seems to make, musical instruments resinate better!

[ReddickDesign]

I love using shellac. Simple to apply, as long as your don't rush. Best thing I like is that it's food safe. Thanks for the video!

[gregkieser]

Very interesting intro - thanks! Looking forward to a practical demonstration on French Polish.

[ChuckFarlieSeesAll]

So is shellac the first product you put on or the last product you put on? I’m curious if I can use Odies oil either before or after shellac. I’m not sure of the process.

[ckingclosur]

First I would like to thank you for sharing this info
I have a question though ??
I am a bowyer, I make primitive bows using hide glue and sinew for backing up my bows .
Now; primitive bows do change between summer and winter even on a very humid or rainy day and in some cases with lengthy time the wood is warped but any way, would the bow show cracks if I shellac it ??
If I flex that wood, that is in a full draw !
Is that layer of shellac is going to show texture like veins from a result of cracking ??
Never used it but I thought of asking you

[HibikiKano]

Silly question: How long can I keep a Shellac mixed from flakes? I have a bottle I mixed about 5 - 7 years ago, and its fully sealed. Can I use it?

Looking online they give it a very short shelf life of 6-9 months. But am not sure why, since the idea of shellac is to be able to repair it with some new shellac to dissolve the old surface. So am confused is that a pre mixed shelf life due to water dissolving into the alcohol, or is it due to some factory mixed additives.

[danielnordstrand]

ooooh, I just learnt what denatured alcohol is! XD
Thanks again for another great review!

I use white cotton ribbon & shellac on my bicycle handlebars - cheap, pleasant to touch & easy to repair 👍

[Suology]

Can I use shellac for priming wood panels for painting oil/acrylic

[FixitFingers]

Awesome mate I've been shellac-curious for a while but never bought any yet as I didn't understand what were the best uses for it. Keen to try now.

[aa-ewjx]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the video. I have built a lovely Marri dining table. I have filled the gaps with a high end 2 pack with added black pigment. I am now ready to coat the table though am a little lost as to what finish to use. I am looking at the u beaut hard shellac or simply a polyurethane (cabot's ). The table is indoor use only. Any advice / thoughts greatly appreciated.


Thanks..

[leechie]

Hello if you mix the wrong cut proportions. Is the product biodegradable?

[petermarsh]

Dear Paul, I have several handles that I turned out of ironbark for chisels and files and have coated them with a mix of Tung oil and natural turpentine. The cover is good but remains dull. To give some shine, do you reckon that shellac would do the trick? By the way, unless you have already tried it, get hold of some fresh ironbark and plane / turn it. Cuts like butter and its regular grain makes it a dream to use. Peter from South Oz.

[noureddine]

Top man . Very helpful extension. Many thanks.

[longbow]

Do you ever add red to your shellac? If so how do you go about doing that and what do you use to change the color. I have seen some videos that when they coat the shellac it has a reddish hue to it. Thank you, Randy Camp

[sharatchandrakanth]

You said that Shellac can take anything on it. So for a fresh wood can I apply shellac first and on top of it can I do PU polish?

[margerintoul]

I bought shellac flakes several years ago. It's all glued together in a ball. Can I break it up with a hammer, dissolve it in denatured alcohol and use it? Is there some way to make it become flakes again?