Easy to Apply Shellac Finish | Wood Finishing Tutorial

What is the most durable, natural finish that you can apply to your project? One could argue that it is the excrement created from the Lac bug. The processing of what we will affectionately call “bug spit” results in shellac. My mission today is to show you how to easily apply a shellac finish to your projects so that you can get great, predictable results.

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Here are the products that I used:

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[heyou]

Really brought that grain out nicely. Thanks for the tutorial.

[BVJ]

Great advice and helped me understand many things with Shellac and finishing that have never been made exactly clear. (Pun Intended) Many times people explain how to do things but leave out pertinent details. You explained through the steps and reasoning of not only how but why with logical facts.
Two that stick out were the explanation of universal finish and the second fact that you can't go back once you wax.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, and again I've learned something new and facts that I'm confident in their basis.

[jimtongas]

Great video. I'm going to try it on a chair that I have restored.
Thanks for posting very informative

[Phil_Goodman]

i never knew you could do this with shellac. Thank you so much for sharing. I always loved using shellac and found it too thick at times, i may try this mixing to thin it down on my next project

[mpe]

Great video. I’ve been looking for options so I’m definitely going to try this.

[rickryan]

Riano's Rustics I finish my high end boxes with a 50/50 mix to start and end with 12-15 coats to fine finish, complete with 3-4 oats well buffed past wax, love your work.

[KSFWG]

You can use denatured alcohol to blend runs and smears without sanding. Just use a few drops at a time, depending on how big the run or smear.

[handsome]

I use shellac from building a fence to restoring cabinets, it enhances the grains in the wood beautifully

[banshee]

Super thorough overview for using Shellac - thank you so much, I've been looking for this video forever!

[morgangmilligan]

Hi, great video thanks so much. I am replacing an entertainment center I built ten plus years ago with a huge up-grade in materials. I am using high end amber bamboo plywood. It has been a struggle deciding how to finish it. My mom loves using shellac because of the fast dry time and easy application. After watching your video and a few others I am convinced. Cheers!

[nukestrom]

I like Shellac and Beeswax because they are non toxic. Superb video.

[christinastracquodaine]

Dorky dad vibes 100.
Also this is good, because this is the same shellac I use (minus the wax top coat). It's nice to see the sanding method though.

[boblasley]

Excellent video Billy! Shellac is truly one of the most, if not the most, versatile finishes available. One other neat thing about shellac is that it can be tinted with most any alcohol soluble dye, such as Trans-tint.

[TotemoGaijin]

It also makes an underrated wood filler imo when mixed with source sawdust. One of the few fillers that'll easily accept a stain.

[roystidomsthend]

I've only been woodworking for about a year and I struggle with any finishing except for water based poly. I always dread doing it when the rest of a project is complete. I'm going to give this a shot using your method. Thanks for the video.

[anthonydtobias]

Man, this was a great video! I have not dived into shellac much but I will be so much better informed when I do. This was a great format to show the in's and out's on the finish too. Nice job!! 💪

[larrywolfe]

Have been using Shellac for years because of it being OK for children. I made changing tables for at least 5 grandkids and doll cradles for the girl grand kids and great-great and great-great-greats.All with shellac. One granddaughter used the fraise "the wood feels soft" when she felt finished wood.

[brettmasek]

Finishing is by far my weakest skill in woodworking. Thanks for the very thorough rundown. I have a number of projects that need finished, I will be giving this a go!

[handsome]

Shellac is magical, I love using it, Wear safety glasses

[michaelkelley]

can you tell me if you would apply this onto a box top that has a veneer with a decorative inlaid band?