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Tbh, I used to think shellac was just for antiques
For years, I'd only use it on old pieces, mixing flakes with denatured alcohol in my garage. Then about two summers ago, a client in Charleston insisted on it for a modern walnut table, wanting that warm, fast-building finish. I tried it and realized how much control it gives you with a pad, building layers without dust nibs. Now I reach for it on half my projects, not just the old stuff. Anyone else find themselves using a 'traditional' finish way more often now?
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tessaperry6mo ago
Oh totally, it's that control that got me hooked too. I started mixing my own after a can of pre-mixed stuff went bad on me, and now I'll never go back. It's not hard, you just need a clean jar and some patience. I use it on new maple boxes because I can get a perfect, thin seal without any cloudiness. It feels less like using an old method and more like having a secret weapon.
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zara_sanchez4mo ago
@sarahpark it is really that deep? It's just flakes in alcohol.
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sarahpark6mo ago
My uncle's old workshop in Toledo is where I first saw shellac used on a brand new pine shelf. It wasn't about being traditional, it was just the right tool. I get what @marybutler is saying, but mixing it from flakes isn't some magic trick, it's just how you get the exact cut you want for the job. That control is why I use it on new picture frames and even some guitar repairs, not for the look but because I can fix a mistake with some alcohol and a rag before it sets up. It's a forgiving finish if you know how to talk to it.
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