How to apply shellac

Content

Steps
Tips
What do you need

Shellac is a wood varnish made by dissolving dried rubber in denatured alcohol. Shellac was widely used in the 19th and 20th centuries to cover furniture and is easy to obtain today. This varnish is popular for its ease of use, low odor and natural ingredients. Shellac is non-toxic, and, for example, in the United States, it is allowed to be used even as a frosting for lollipops. In this article, you will learn how, using only natural ingredients, to coat wooden objects with shellac, giving them a shine and protecting them from moisture.

Steps

1 Prepare the surface by sanding it. First sand the entire surface of the item with a coarse sandpaper. If there are traces of the previous coating on the surface, completely remove them.Then wipe the surface with a clean cloth to remove dust and dirt.
2 Pour the shellac into a separate bucket. Do not use the brush to scoop the varnish straight out of the can, as this can contaminate the varnish with wood dust and other debris. Use a separate bucket instead.
3 Choose a suitable brush. Shellac can be applied with a natural bristle brush (Chinese bristle is best) or a synthetic bristle brush. Keep in mind that shellac is difficult to clean from a natural bristle brush without damaging it. Avoid using plastic bristles as shellac dries quickly and becomes stiff.
4 Scoop up the shellac with a brush. Dip the brush into a bucket of shellac, then press it lightly against the side of the bucket to drain excess varnish from the brush.
5 Apply shellac to the wood. The varnish should be applied with long and smooth strokes of the brush along the grain of the wood, making sure that it lays down evenly. Shellac dries very quickly, so it is important to work quickly and smoothly.
- If you missed a spot when applying the varnish, do not try to varnish it with a delay. Since the shellac dries very quickly, the dried varnish around the missing area and the newly applied one will not adhere properly. You will be able to varnish the area with the next coat.
6 Let the shellac dry before sanding. Wait until the first coat of varnish is completely dry, which in a well-ventilated area can take as little as 30 minutes. Once the varnish is dry, lightly rub the coated surface with fine sandpaper, preparing it for the next coat of shellac.
7 Apply a second coat of shellac. Do it in the same way as you applied the first layer, brushing along the grain of the wood. When the second layer is dry, you can wipe it again with a fine sandpaper and apply the next layer, or limit yourself to two coats of varnish.
8 Clean the brush. The bristles can be cleaned of shellac using a mixture of ammonia and water. Mix equal proportions of ammonia and water and dip the brush into this solution. Then rinse the bristles with water and dry them.