Can the Can(ned) Shellac

Canned shellac is convenient, but if you want more control over your finish you'll need to mix your own. In this video, executive art director Mike Pekovich shows you how easy it is to make a batch of shellac from flakes.

[oldguy]

Outstanding video. Have watched many others, and in a short time you shared practical info with no fluff. Love the info about using heavy flake mixture and diluting it for immediate use and tips on how to tell if it is too thin or thick by the characteristics of a test coat, not having to resort to measuring equipment. Thanks!

[MRrwmac]

I watch a lot of woodworking videos, have made some furniture for my home and seen many people discuss finishes with shellac. However, this video of yours really impressed me with your explanation and demonstration to the point of feeling the surface. Thank you for an excellent video.

[ramongibbs]

Excellent demonstration, you've outlined better than others I've viewed in decades. Thanks

[williambranham]

I love your videos. No fluff, just the facts man. I have had a love hate relationship with shellac for many years because I misunderstood how desirable a thin cut is . For years I would use heavy cuts, (creates a mess with runs and weird lines) and 2 coats, let it dry overnight then sand back till smooth, then go up through the grits and steel wool etc. Wow, lots of work. But the reason for this was I didn't think using a thin cut would allow enough buildup for adequate protection without taking a lot of time. Thin is in for me now. Life is better. Thank you.

[jake]

Moses sent me... and I always listen to Moses! Best to you and yours!!

[bwhite]

Awesome video. Very well explained and the way you mix the two different batches of shelac is very practical and easy. And then the way you explain how to determine if you have the right consistancy in your final mix is very helpful. Just like cooking its better to get a feeling for the right amt of ingredients.

[FixingFurniture]

Wow, that is a fast finish. Thanks for sharing. Scott

[jameskass]

Thanks so much for teaching this, Mike, I now use it on all my projects and the results are fantastic. Would never have figured this out on my own, but really easy to apply. Bug goo, who would have thought?!

[michaelfeierstein]

I was always worried about using shellac, because I had no instruction, but I wanted to try because my grandfather was a big fan of it. Thanks for the tips!

[jimluker]

I really like to use a coat or two of this on the end grain of wood before applying stain. For instance on big box store pine, the end grain of the wood absorbs so much stain that it turns way darker than the face grain does. The shellac gets in there and seals up the grain so that it absorbs a lot less stain, just like the face grain does. The end result is a more evenly stained piece of wood. Try it out on some scrap! Also a big fan of pre-stain conditioner, (Thanks 731 Woodworks), I won't stain without it!

[troykloszynski]

thanks so much for this information 👍 so glad I took the time to watch this video. Great presentation and extremely helpful

[iDesignMemoriesWP]

Nicely explained. Making some cedar side tables and will give this a try.

[jfinaz]

Thanks very much for sharing your experience and knowledge with us. I'll save the link and watch it again for sure.

[erichaltomwoodworking]

Good info, thanks! I like how you desolve the concentrated cut for future use. Good idea.

[wharfrat]

When applying the paste wax, is worrying about the shellac pulling away, as mentioned earlier in the video, something to be concerned about? Or, is this something that happens while the alcohol is drying and not something to worry about once evaporated?

[ronmiller]

I like this approach. How much more would you cut your premix if you were doing french polishing? You put 6 squirts in (actually only 5 if you watch the vid)..would you put 1 or 2 more squirts in? I would think you would want to be around 1 pound or a bit less but not a spit right? I'm looking to spend some time seeing if I have the patience for french polishing.

[twoweary]

I would liked to have seen a closeup of the finished result. Nice tips though.I will try it.

[sethwarner]

If I let the shellac get old and evaporated to the extent that it is hard in the bottom of the jar, can it be revived, so I can use it again?

[HibikiKano]

Lovely video, but I do have question. Online I find very conflicting statements on shellac shelf life.

How long can I keep my mix if I mixed it from flakes. The often quoted 6 months seems a bit short. Is that 6-9 months for the factory mixed version with aditives or does it really go bad that fast?

[michaelgiordano]

Whats the point of the wax with the sanding ?