What is Shellac and how do I use it?
Before you even think of applying shellac to your project, you’ve got to strain it! This goes for even the finest grades of blonde shellac. Little bug parts and other impurities always seem to make it into the shellac flakes. Use a multi-folded piece of cheese cloth or clean old t-shirt material. I personally think a coffee filter is overkill. The t-shirt will clean right up with ammonia-based detergent! It’s reusable! Shellac may be sprayed, brushed, padded, polished, or even wiped on with a rag. Woodturners use a tiny pad and finish their projects right on the lathe! Since shellac dries so quickly, it’s not very self-leveling. To slow drying, improve leveling add some of our Shellac Retarder”. -Brushing – use the best brush you can afford. Check out a recent article on how to select the proper brush. The old-timers scoff at anything less than a badger hair brush. An expensive brush is a very cheap investment. You must work quickly. Dip the brush no more than 1/3 of the way into the s
