Learn How to Get a Beautiful Shellac Finish

[@Devil-Made]

Years on and I just want to let you know that I found this video extremely helpful. I’m just getting started with woodworking and I actually just made a mobile workbench with a shellac finish on top. First time using shellac (poly for nearly everything prior to this), and I love it. People will probably criticize me for using shellac on a workbench, but I think the pros outweigh the cons for me. And it’s good practice. Your video was great and I’ll be watching more. I don’t know if you’re still making videos, but 8 years later this one at least has made an impact. Thank you!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thank you! Glad to hear this video was helpful. Yes I’m still making videos and building furniture. I posted a desk project a few weeks ago. Thanks for watching, Jon

[@fredpierce6097]

For some reason, I never thought to use an applicator pad as a smoothing out method after brushing on the shellac. I knew such pads were used in French Polishing but I failed to see the value on ALL brushing applications. Thanks for waking me up on this simple but effective technique!

[@The1SGUSA]

Best information so far regarding French Polish. Thanks a whole bunch!

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

Shellac is a great finish, one of my favorites and I completely agree about buying flakes - Great video Jon.

[@arturszopa4077]

Shellac seals the wood? I'm not shure. Can anny wax be absorbt throw the shellac. ? Or is it just for polish?

[@Metalloys]

+Artur Szopa Shellac is THE best sealer for wood. The only thing that penetrates would be alcohol. To tell you about shellac : let a Grand Master Piano tell you. These awesome pianos are finished with shellac.

[@Metalloys]

Artur Szopa No wax can be absorbed through shellac. Wood sealed with shellac shall be finished with shellac also.

[@crystalburnham9757]

What does he mean about shellac having g a shelf life/ going bad? I have a container that was mixed up maybe 10 yrs ago. What could be wrong with it? It still seems the same, thin and hard to build a layer, but may e that's just how shellac is?

[@ladygardener100]

Its a natural product, and evryone recommends a short shelf life, thtis if it is home made, the zinisser ones have additives.

[@dustyandsneezing]

I thought I was going to see an amateur trying to teach the world about finish work but I'm surprised. You know what you're talking about sir, and you did a good job. I like your paintings, too :)

[@darbinorvar]

The frames came out great Jon! Glad you had a chance to use the wax polish. Your bees make a very yellow wax.

[@brucehumphrey6296]

Great info Jon, thanks for taking the time to record and post.

[@chemcody5119]

Nicely done Jon and you explained it so even I could understand it! I will have to try it.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Such good instruction! I like the way it turned out. I actually didn't know you could make your own shellac.

[@10908070605040302]

thanks for the tips man , good on you sir , from Ireland

[@petergwatts9037]

Nice presentation of intelligent know how. Like your simplicity of one third two third wing it mix. Most presenters seem to complicate that stuff. Happy New Year

[@USNERDOC]

Well done! I have been watching your channel for a while and I really enjoy your style and content. Thanks!

[@johnconklin9039]

Looks great Jon. I've only tried shellac once and it dried so quickly that it left junky lap marks where it basically got 2 coats. I recently rubbed out some deft spray lacquer with steel wool and minwax furniture wax and it came out very good.

[@sjbl1962]

Jon, very informative and entertaining video. I need to start making some picture frames (my wife has some projects that she needs some frame for). Thanks for posting.

[@ecaff9515]

Great process. Beautiful project. Thank you for sharing....

[@pedrosoto1253]

Great video Jon. Thanks for the lesson on shellac and on the applicator :)

[@MakeCrazydays]

Great video. And I like the idea of storing the applicator and brush. That is the hardest part. I always forget to dip the brush in alcohol before using it. I'm going to have to get a couple mason jars in the shop for that now.

[@kevinfreeman2293]

Excellent packed with tons of great advice!

[@JulianPaulJonesSfatcu]

I love your teaching ! I really appreciate it ! Thank you very much !

[@rickywalden4206]

Good informative video, Jon. Thanks for the information on shellac.

[@DIYTyler]

Great explanation Jon, have never used shellac but would like to give it a try. Apparently it's not as durable as poly or lacquer? Really like the applicator idea, going to use that for stain!

[@stevecollins9450]

Thanks for the lesson, Jon. Shellac does dry fast but I can see where the applicator would help with this.

[@sumitpoddar165]

Good quality shellac for contact us Mr. Sumit poddar From - West Bengal (india🇮🇳) 9641048848

[@mikesmith2102]

Good vid as finishing is one of those things that can make or break a project.

[@MichelleGlauser]

Which level of steel wool should be used for the waxing and polishing?

[@gimax4689]

Can I use Shellac to seal bare, unlacquered brass & prevent it from tarnishing ? Thank you ! 🙏

[@TheMajsztro]

Thank you buddy, i will now shellac my Slavia 631 in this way.

[@daniellemiklos7834]

Thank you for this. If shellac wears off easily on say a kitchen table, can you recommend another way to seal a table that isn't toxic of off-gas etc.?

[@stefanopassiglia]

Very informative video, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@ali.salsuwaidi6072]

Thank you for this video.

[@acraig5075]

Useful info, thanks.

[@JulianPaulJonesSfatcu]

Wonderful ! Thank you for sharing !

[@colinblankenship2401]

Very nice. Thank you

[@christenmattix]

Thank you for the helpful tutorial! I used Zinsser shellac which can last up to 5 years. I tried your t-shirt dabbing method but it left lint in the shellac so I had to abandon that technique.

[@CPerry-yq1fj]

Not a avid woodworker shy of building my own home a few times but with shellac where and when does the term or process "French polish" come into play on fine woodworking projects ? Thumbs up, thanks for the lessons.

[@mjbohn]

C. Perry French polish => en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_polish

[@lindenbergers]

Thanks for sharing!

[@CodeFoxAus]

Oh, also watch out for colours in the t-shirt material that may run or react with the alcohol based coatings - the last thing you want is coloured streaks or stains from the fabric dye.

[@mrchromaticable]

I have gotten into the habit of always using white rags for this very reason

[@ekotype]

Thank you!

[@jimschowe2770]

What happens when premixed shelac goes bad? No drying? Sticky?

[@SalvadorCalaf]

Hi Jon, thank you for you videos. I will like to know if I can dissolve Shellac shells with something else than denaturalise alcohol? I live in Norway and look like is not aloud to sell it. They offer me paint thinner and burning alcohol (Nafta) strong smell and persistent bitter taste in your hands if you touch it 😕 Thank you for your help. Salva

[@alexanderthegreat6545]

very helpfull . Could shellac be used on beehives?

[@ladygardener100]

Its an indoor finish, not waterproof, also you eed to be carefull as some things could be harmfull.

[@anthonydtobias]

Interesting video, what is the shelf life on shellac? Does your mix last longer? Thank you for sharing Jon, keep them coming my friend!

[@paulorchard7960]

Anthony Tobias really has an unlimited shelf life if you just stop it drying out, add more metho every now and then.

[@charlesbovalis6591]

Quick question: by following the simplified rule 1/3 shellac 2/3 denatured alcohol, what is (roughly) the pound cut solution we are getting out of this ? I would very much appreciate your feedback on this. Very good video by the way.

[@angellohector]

hi . would it be possible to use a coat of shellac to prep a wood like pine, do a layer or two of staining then use the shellac on top of that to finish with wax after?? thanks

[@pizzapizza2424]

Angello Hector the shellac would block the stain a bit

[@angellohector]

OK thanks. Sorry I meant stain, shellac then wax. Or even no stain, shellac then wax? :)

[@NMranchhand]

Yes! That just the way to do it. Pine takes stain VERY unevenly. To fix this, finishers use a very light mixture of shellac first so that the thirsty areas of the pine absorb some of that first. Then when the stain is applied it goes on much more evenly. After that, us shellac in layers until the right gloss is achieved.

[@roncoleman4017]

Jon, how dangerous is denatured alcohol around the shop?

[@samboslc]

Good video. Only one question; Why a paper towel when they contain abrasives and will leave bits of paper behind?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

+Sammy Campbell thanks. Yes a cotton rag would be a better choice, but these work paper towels hold together pretty well for small projects.

[@CameraEd1]

Nice, It looks great Jon. And I like the painting of the woods. Does the finish grow darker as it cures? The picture of the frame at the end of the video looks darker than when you were working with it in the shop (It may just be the lighting) Also, from personal experience, if you don't have denatured alcohol on hand, Everclear works just fine.

[@TheMehsin]

Awesome ⚘

[@robira1313]

Jon, I need your help! I tried shellac for the first time on a frame I made. (Zinsser) Well, I FORGOT TO CUT IT with denatured alcohol and put it on full strength. My intention was to use it as a conditioner on the pine frame and THEN an oil stain. I did put the stain after an hour or so and it came out like crap! So my question is, how do I remove the stain and shellac from the frame so I can start over? ...or is this project doomed? Help!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Try an rub / remove some of the finish with just alcohol on a rag, that should work.

[@cosimobonettiyoutub1]

i see you don't add any pumice stone powder. i like your videos Jon! thx for doing it! ciao

[@AffordBindEquipment]

This only works if you can buy denatured alcohol. This has been banned in Calif. as of Oct. 2019. What else can I use? Everclear has also been banned....

[@SAHBfan]

AffordBindEquipment - any alcohol with a low water content. Try a chemical supplier. You can use propyl alcohol as long as it is 90% or better. It is the water in rubbing alcohol (or Vodka!) that makes it unusable...

[@smrtaha1042]

عمل رائع لكن ماهي المادة الصفراء التي دهنت بها أخر مرحلة

[@سعدالعراقي-ذ8ت]

المادة الصفراء هي تسمى wax اي الشمع

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

Can I apply Zinnser Non-waxed shellac (clear) over Zinnser waxed amber shellac ...? (I want the amber look). I'm using a water based Aqua-Coat Polyurethane as a finish coat.

[@NMranchhand]

Mr BreakRAK Since there's no answer I'll butt in. Wax is a normal part of shellac. That's why we call I'd de-waxed shellac (it doesn't need to be added in the first place). We remove it to avoid unfortunate reactions with poly in particular. If you put de-waxed over regular shellac you run the risk of the wax migrating up through since it is a natural component and therefor soluable, though it may take longer.

[@masterming777]

I really appreciate your videos, but it would be awesome if you invested in a lav mic. Cheers

[@atacama677]

Thought you pulled out your wifes makeup brush there for a second. Nice DIY applicator!

[@maurosegurah]

great

[@CodeFoxAus]

I remember the t-shirt applicator from a previous video. I use it all the time - it has been especially great for applying oils to the door / window frames as I have been (slowly) renovating my house. Paper falls apart, and a brush puts too much on. The t-shirt ball lets you control the amount of oil going on for a perfect coverage, right into the little moulding nooks and crevices.

[@wannabewoodsmith4217]

cool

[@grantkenney9761]

Is that amber shellac?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Yes

[@smrtaha1042]

الفيديو رائع حبذا لو تمت الترجمة للعربية او تكرم أحد المتابعين للفيديو بترجمته لباقي الاصدقاء مع الشكر الجزيل

[@randywatson8347]

Cool I was looking for a foodsafe finish.

[@themanfromcabowabo1559]

Wonder if he gets his plastic containers w/ lids from Chinese takeout like I do.

[@ramiwafa2015]

En arabe schellack plis

[@BurtBowers]

What happens if i drank that stuff looks like coffee.

[@hball6695]

I couldn't watch past the "I don't really care what the shellac-to-denatured alcohol ratio is" part...really?

[@brandontheprizenorwood5797]

unnecessary to sand between coats

[@psiclops521]

Don't use a plastic container if you are going to keep the shellac for any time. The alcohol will diffuse throughout the plastic.

[@MrZOMBIE170]

A professional wood finisher wood never use a t-shirt to make a polish rubber and the shape of the rubber is completely wrong

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Would never 👍

[@Tarantulej]

Im very sorry, but this isnt beautiful shellac finish, sir. This is: learn how to get an easy shellac and beewax finish. I have no problem with that, but the word Beautiful is a little confusing. This is really good use of shellac for many people, but not the right way of aplication. The shellac finish (the real shiny multilayered finish) in woodworking world is really difficult. In history of furniture are beautiful examples with shellac finish, so why dont explain the "real deal" and after just said : and this is the easy way and i like it. (i will shut up after that, but start with : shellac finish is easy! Every conservator and restorator of furniture must cry hearing that. )

[@qigong1001]

He is not 'restoring.' Its the first application and a total application. The rest (brush strokes, thickness, drying times, reapplication, color consistency, etc) comes with experience (very minimal) on scrap wood before you apply to your final project.

[@MichaKulczyckiPL]

and if you cannot tell the difference between shellac finish and French polish then perhaps it;s best if you don't rush to criticise others