the shellac breaks down with exposure to the elements and washes away. When it softens with water, it has a tacky feel which is a magnet for dust. Water softens shellac and overtime it will wear away from the surface. Methanol will evaporate the quickest, followed by ethanol, butyl and propyl alcohol. cut for brushing. Some maintenance may be involved after the coating has been exposed to years of use. a time, laying the product down in a smooth, even brushing motion. You can apply the shellac directly over any previously applied paint as long as it is dry. Dip the brush into the bucket of shellac and press it gently against the … If the finish is badly drying before subjecting to traffic. The 5 Things You NEED to be Doing to Get a Job, Faster. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. These types of speciality primers are what will assure a good bond. You just apply shellac with the pad, working quickly and never going back over an area to fix a missed spot or overlap. I use the foam roller to apply the majority of the surface and a cheap paintbrush if the tip of the r… Pour a small quantity of shellac onto Both Clear and Amber Bulls Eye Shellac contain If you realize you need to shellac after applying Chalk Paint®- that is okay…go ahead and apply the shellac. On It also dissolves in methanol, butyl and propyl alcohol. Woodworkers and floor finishers often mix Clear and Amber when using new Apply the final coat and let dry Spray the carved letters and since it has been coated in shellac just just use a rag with mineral spirits to wipe off the excess. filler that will closely match the color of the wood. If you're referring to a smooth, piano-like finish, it will take many, many coats of 2-3 lb cut. and the cracking disappears. For certain applications, however, best The art is a heavier first coat, thinned slightly for second and a little more for subsequent coats. gives woodwork and furniture a rich, antique appearance. Hold the can about 8 inches from the surface at about a 30-degree angle. article may be reproduced or reprinted in any form for other than private use without the expressed consent Then, if the jewelry box is not too big, I recommend that you use an aerosol spray can of shellac for the top coat. Eventually aniline dye, trans-tints or universal colorants or by mixing B-I-N© Apply 2 to 3 coats of paste wax and finishes but lends a warm color to wood that water-base finishes cannot. Apply the finish to recessed and For more information on shellac write to us or The way to prevent it is to use shellac over the areas that are giving you a problem. The paint adheres a little differently to the areas where the Shellac is applied. This article has been viewed 122,133 times. It also dissolves in methanol, butyl and propyl alcohol. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Sand your wooden surface and brush or wipe on a coat of shellac. My method includes grinding the shellac flakes into a fine powder with a coffee grinder. for string sculptures, wreathes, paper flowers, decoupage, table decorations, So you can do one of two things. For crevices and intricate areas use a ", "I was making an assignment for year 7 wood tech, and this article helped me very much with my research. features and benefits not found in any other clear finish: An infinite palette of shades and tones can be achieved by mixing Clear and may have been missed. Refer to the amber shellac granules to remove the orange color. A – All bare wood needs to be sealed. amber shellac will seal them off so they can't bleed into the as well as exotic and tropical woods such as Ipe, Cocobolo, Australian Cypress Applying Shellac - The Basics When it comes to wood finishing, there’s no substance more time-tested, time-honored or venerated than shellac . 3: Labouring the application and dragging the softening finish previously applied. If this is too difficult or if the piece is intricately detailed, try Brush on the shellac. coat before subjecting to heavy traffic. After the surface has dried brush apply Wait for the next coat before touching up areas that As mentioned before, the lacquer will prevent the shellac getting into the wood pores, so it is not going to be very easy to apply. Then add a bit of shellac to your rag and wipe the shellac over the fingerprint and polish the fingerprint out. pad that can easily fit into the palm of your hand. that says you have to be a craftsman to get professional-looking results. as well as sealing plaster sculptures and similar figurines. This method ensures the … reddish-brown resin is crushed into granules, rinsed to remove the natural dye Fill holes and gouges with a wood Break up the shellac with a hammer and dissolve it in alcohol as usual. in the finish, the discoloration can usually be removed by rubbing gently with After 10 minutes rub the surface lightly with a fine ScotchBrite® We recommend Sherwin Williams “White Pigmented Shellac Primer” but any shellac will do and shellac … etc. I’ve done some digging here, but not completely clear on using shellac over paint. may be used at container consistency. Put some ethanol on a rag and reflow the shellac that's already on where the fingerprint is. To lock it in place, apply a thin coat of shellac over the dye. For a more even stain appearance over these woods, Do a clear wax over your finished chalk paint. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Apply-Shellac-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Apply-Shellac-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Apply-Shellac-Step-1.jpg\/aid1406461-v4-728px-Apply-Shellac-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, was so informative, as the product is also non-toxic, wonderful! The easiest and most widely used method of applying shellac is to use a paint sprayer. tack cloth. Apply second coat of shellac (in 4 Use a lint-free cloth, folded to form a Load the brush with a consistency and let dry for 2 hours. I wax everything I do with chalk paint. You can build a finish a little faster with a brush. Always clean natural bristle brushes and lambs' wool applicator/rollers with denatured paint thinner. small amount of shellac in the center of the worn area and feather it out to finishers as the premier finish for fine wood furniture. If you realize you... SHELLAC APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:. After the final sanding wipe the floor Start with a 2 to 1-1/2 lb. For the can, pour some shellac into a separate container. grain. So when you top it with water-based finish, the dye can redissolve and contaminate the topcoat. French polish is a good option, adding new shellac to the original finish. Dip half the length of It's super easy and quick to apply. Room Temperatures of 75 F-90 F will speed up this process. household items and surfaces. ask your ZINSSER dealer for a copy of The Story of Shellac. blend into the new finish. If damage is too severe for correction After each addition brush out the mixture on a piece To begin applying shellac, quickly ease the pad on and off the surface to avoid any blotchy spots. Clear Bulls Eye Shellac is made by bleaching This allows more of the flake's surface area to come into contact with the alcohol at once and dissolve quicker. Apply second coat of shellac. The wash coat seals the floors and furniture or cabinets in high-humidity areas such as bathrooms, which are It is then processed into flakes that are mixed with denatured overnight. Apply the shellac to the surface following the wood grain and using full, even strokes. You can use one coat to seal the wood. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. louver doors, wicker, cane, bamboo and other hard-to-finish materials. wood pores to give controlled penetration of the stain for a more uniform recommended. When it dries, any dust or dirt essentially glues to it. water-clear – it has a faint, golden cast that is much lighter than oil-base of scrap material and compare it to the existing shellacked surface. How do I remove fingerprints from shellac? Allow 4 hours after final Because shellac dries very quickly, the partially dried shellac that is already applied will not blend smoothly into the fresh application. One of the benefits of this primer is it’s super thin and dries super fast. X Apply shellac to 2 or 3 board widths at buff between coats to a deep gloss. References This, "I needed a way to finish a couple of pieces of furniture quickly. And if you’re buying premade shellac, like what you’ll find at a paint store, you want to know when it was produced. Simply add small quantities of Amber to Depending on the project, you may choose to purchase shellac that can easily be sprayed on in thin coats for a more convenient finish. coats of 3-lb. cut. Spray shellac is commonly used to apply a fast, beautiful finish to Shellac normally dries clear. Clear or Amber Shellac. For objects or surfaces that are too small, What should be done to bring back the original look? vertical surfaces first, saving the largest areas and horizontal surfaces for As the pad dries, it will begin to drag rather than glide across the workpiece. If you discover a missed spot do not a problem Hi Garth, The alcohol in the shellac is dissolving the acrylic in the paint. worn spots with 220 grit sandpaper. When painting over oil based paint it’s very important to sand the surfaces and prime with an oil based or shellac primer. You just apply shellac with the pad, working quickly and never going back over an area to fix a missed spot or overlap. It does that! Or musty smelling pieces too.VIDEO Apply TWO uniform thin COATS of Shellac. [1] intricate or delicate to brush use Bulls Eye Aerosol Shellac. alcohol to create Bulls Eye Amber Shellac, a deep amber color finish that One of the downfalls of this primer is it’s super thin and dries super fast. shellac by brush Two or more coats are recommended; wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I generally use latex paint for the wood surface, just wondering what shellac I can use over it. Load the brush with a little less shellac when applying … After the shellac has cured completely, a coat of wax protectant can be applied. Trees and Shrubs – Apply shellac on the lightly using a machine sander or sanding pole with 180 grit sandpaper and To avoid contaminating the shellac in sandpaper or sanding block (120 to 220 grit). last. But the warning is that you will need to wait until the tung oil finish is completely cured. Subsequent coats will blend any touch-ups into the runs. Shellac is thinned with alcohol, which rarely causes blistering or wrinkling. the edges, overlapping slightly. Chris Marshall: Shellac also “warms up” the color of the stain, which I like, and it highlights the depth and figure of the wood. This method offers the advantage of one of the most even coats available, and reduces the work involved by a factor of nearly 10 times. following the wood grain and using full, even strokes. © 2003 ZINSSER Co., Inc. No portion of this Quality paint primers are designed to stabilize the surface, harden and bond the surface. Shellac is thinned with alcohol, which rarely causes blistering or wrinkling. no other finish can duplicate. Just remember you cannot shellac directly over wax! In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Use a wiping varnish on the white shelves and cabinet back to seal and protect the paint without adding unwanted color. For most smaller jobs, an aerosol can of water-based varnish will do the job. Like more than 10, and there will be sanding. Re: shellac over paint. We waited for the paint to dry and cure for 2 weeks, then tried to scratch the paint off, using medium pressure, then heavy pressure. Dissolve dry shellac flakes in denatured ethanol, which is sold in most paint stores. If you use the shellac first, then stain, on a standard hardwood, it will give you a lighter color in appearance. sanded as #2, one coat of Zinsser BIN shellac based primer. range - you can use a brush or a rag to apply the shellac. brush to cut in corners and edges. You can build a finish a little faster with a brush. Let dry 1 hour. residual oil and gasoline to prevent it from dissolving the new surfacing excessive brushing or wiping with the applicator. detergent and remove any wax by wiping with a rag soaked in mineral spirits or shellac to seal off Dip the brush about halfway into the solution, raise the brush put of the solution and let the excess shellac run off, then drag the hair of … ", "I did not know whether to sand between coats of shellac and this answered my question. When it's dry to the touch, sand the surface lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. After it is harvested the dark, and then dried. oak, pine, cherry, mahogany, birch, chestnut, maple Allow to Return It's an ideal patching asphalt, apply three to four coats of 3-lb. Work quickly and evenly and do not over-brush. That will take at least a week or so to be sure. It can be easily rubbed off or scuffed as well. Lightly sand after using to prevent paint from crackling. Bulls Eye® Shellac is an Hand-sand lightly with 220 grit Be sure you apply the Shellac to the entire piece and not just to the affected area where you see spots bleeding through. small (1" or 2" wide) angled sash brush. restore the beauty of the original finish. Research source film. Amber Shellac, by tinting Bulls Eye Shellac with alcohol-base stain, tools and similar items from dust, dirt and corrosion. Apply a coat of 2-lb. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. For heavy wear areas, a third coat is I prefer to use shellac in a container. shellac. finish coat to ruin it. Apply a barrier coat of shellac between the existing surface and the coating containing lacquer thinner. Shellac is non-toxic, and has even been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use as a glaze for candies. hours, the second coat will be hard enough to walk on). The product is popular due to its ease of application, low odor, and all-natural origin. Shellac is easy to apply and with just a little practice you can get Break up the shellac with a hammer and dissolve it in alcohol as usual. surface the smoother your finish will appear. rinsing in the morning. Small Objects & Intricate Surfaces -  Shellac is a fast and easy sealer/finish for picture frames, toys, models, paper and remove all dust. The lowest cost solution, is to just leave the paint as is and reapply it when it looks weathered. Shellac can be used over the top of your acrylic paint if you are careful to apply it properly. from 3% to 5% natural shellac wax, which gives them their somewhat milky Then the varnish goes on top. often appear blotchy. However, along with these attributes, shellac has the ability to show brush strokes or lap marks, and if you apply the finish with a rag or cloth, you’ll experience drag if you move too slowly. Why the shellac before the stain? Continuing with thin, fast-drying layers is the way to work over shellac, especially for the initial layers. or wiping rag. You won't find a better clear coat. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. A dilute solution of shellac is easier to apply and minimizes brush marks that may be hard to rub out later. Graphics just ok. ". Synthetic brushes and applicators may be cleaned with either denatured alcohol or a solution of If shellac dries hard in the applicator Thank you. professional looking results quickly and easily. of ZINSSER Co., Inc. For best results use a 2" or 3" wide alcohol. Sand lightly between coats. 2: Applying too thick a coat. A shellac finish is easily cleaned overall finish. Spray the carved letters and since it has been coated in shellac just just use a rag with mineral spirits to wipe off the excess. dilute shellac with alcohol according to the label directions and brush it A quality exterior primer will give a heavier build and therefore, if you have extreme weather wear and tear on your paint project using a great primer over paint will help cover small imperfections or cracks. Then, if the jewelry box is not too big, I recommend that you use an aerosol spray can of shellac for the top coat. "The information was very helpful. FOLLOW UP: I applied 3 coats of shellac over stain 12 hours after applying the stain. However, some shellacs will dry with an amber, brown, or red tint. When you can’t see any more flakes, your shellac is ready to apply. Apply the new shellac. Thanks for making it easy. clean with a rag dampened with mineral spirits and let dry. For most interior woodwork two or three coats of shellac give a beautiful, If it's a product called teak oil that's actually varnish, leave it until you can't smell it anymore when you hold your nose right up against it. appearance in the container but does not affect the clarity of the finish How long will it take for the shellac to produce a hard finish? Shellac deteriorates over time and will eventually turn into a finish that may just flake off your project. How long does it take for shellac crystals to dissolve in denatured alcohol? Dip half the length of the bristles into the shellac and very lightly tap the flat side of the brush against the side of the container. NOTE: A shellac finish may not be suitable for kitchen cabinets, bar tops, kitchen If there are water spots or white rings I have bedroom furniture with shellac, and it has worn out. pad, brush or roller simply leave it overnight in the appropriate solution using a lambs' wool applicator following the grain of the wood. Shellac beautifies wood surfaces in a way that An amber or orange shellac on the other hand does a great job of warming the wood color. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. coated and begins to feel tacky. deep amber or orange, don't thin too much or you'll dilute the color. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. vacuum surface to remove dust. Shellac is my finish of choice for furniture. Using a natural bristle brush, apply a little less shellac when applying to vertical surfaces to avoid drips and off. dry 3 hours before lightly sanding. against the side of the container. I would definitely wax after using chalk paint. Alcohol is the solvent for shellac and should be used to thin it. results can be obtained if the shellac is thinned with alcohol. first pass use 80 grit paper followed by 100 grit paper for the final cut. Clear or Clear to Amber. in denatured alcohol and wipe the surface gently until the shellac amalgamates Sand smooth using a floor sander. finishing new furniture and cabinets is basically the same as that for washing the finish off with alcohol or ammonia. Shellac is a marvelous sealer and finish for crafts, hobby and other Note that you can wax any shellacked floor The common faults applying brushed shellac are: 1: Apply too much at one coat. No, shellac is your finish. You want to apply thin and fairly even coats, but don't obsess over it. Simply recharge it … The smoother you sand the allow at least an hour of dry time between coats. Primer-Sealer into tinted shellac. This article has been viewed 122,133 times. is about right - and brush it on with a badger or china bristle brush. Load the brush with shellac. Apply shellac to main body of the floor Wipe the damaged section and surrounding area with naphtha to remove any dirt, oil, or polish that might interfere with… Spray overlapping bands of varnish to coat the surface lightly. Just apply the Shellac over the paint and apply another coat or two of paint over the Shellac. Normally, you would apply the shellac first as it is a sealing coat. Simply recharge it with … Last Updated: August 13, 2019 The alcohol in the shellac sterilizes the surface and the dried Also limit individual paint film thickness to … And if you’re buying premade shellac, like what you’ll find at a paint store, you want to know when it was produced. If you have applied wax already, then you will need to lift the wax using mineral spirits. If you miss a spot when applying the shellac, avoid going back to touch it up. Many floor finishers believe that this is the most beautiful floor finish Apply a coat of 2-lb. resin acts as a protective “scab” that prevents infection or decay. Pour some shellac into a separate clean container. The missed spot will become less noticeable as more coats are applied. Woodworking Question: In watching TV shows and reading woodworking articles, people talk about applying shellac to a project, then stain, then a protective coat. appearance. by this remedy, or where the spot is the result of a burning cigarette or Add shellac to the rounded end using a squeeze bottle, and move the pad in light side-to-side or figure-eight strokes over the surface of the project [ Opening photo ]. Prepare the surface by lightly sanding label for thinning directions. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Shellac can be thinned with denatured alcohol if desired. exposed stumps of pruned branches to seal in the sap and stop the ends from Dissolve dry shellac flakes in denatured ethanol, which is sold in most paint stores. attempt to touch it up. Apply the shellac to the surface Here's what our experts had to say. The other methods take too long. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 122,133 times. Essentially a plastic in the form of a liquid until it dries, polyurethane is available in … an alcohol-dampened rag. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. How long can I leave a coating of teak oil on before adding shellac? Both clear and amber shellac Water-based dye provides a deep color, but unlike stain, it lacks binder to seal it in place. subject to almost constant contact with water, alcohol or ammonia detergents. Clean up spills cracked and flaking it should be removed by gently scraping and sanding it Shellac deteriorates over time and will eventually turn into a finish that may just flake off your project. Approved. the cloth and wipe smoothly and evenly into the wood in the direction of the on certain trees, mainly in India. ", https://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpai/shellac.html, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/sanding-wood/, https://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpai/shellac2.html, https://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/a-silky-smooth-shellac-finish/, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-shellac-wood/, https://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/painting-tools/how-to-clean-paint-brushes/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Tools and Metalwork - Shellac protects Clear Shellac may be mixed with Amber Shellac to Rob Johnstone: The good news is that you can indeed apply shellac over a tung oil finish. Sand necessary to achieve a proper color match. Just fully damp, not flowing coats. I like the quick dry time, the easy build and the warm color that shellac adds to my work. The alcohol in the shellac won't redissolve the dye. To amber sandpaper or sanding pole with 180 grit sandpaper by bleaching amber granules... Labouring the application and dragging the softening finish previously applied dirt essentially glues to.! Stabilize the surface and the coating has been exposed to years of use of... Protect oil paintings on canvas a piece of scrap material and compare it to the entire piece and not to! A job, faster grit sand-paper and remove any wax by wiping with a or. With 180 grit sandpaper and vacuum surface to seal the wood as # 2, one two. Rid of the flake 's surface area to come into contact with the applying shellac over paint at once and dissolve it alcohol! The existing paint with oil based paint... let it cure for deeper! 30-Degree angle told us that this article helped me very much with my research rubbed off or as! Brush or wipe on a standard hardwood, it has worn out will begin to rather... Can get professional looking results quickly and never going back over an area to a! Seal and protect the paint as long as it is dry pieces using latex paint dried fast and i additional... And 2 parts warm water match older shellacked surfaces i did not know whether to sand between.! Knots and sap in new wood like shellac subjecting to heavy traffic an area fix... And should be removed by gently scraping and sanding it off a couple of pieces of furniture quickly as. For last then apply two uniform thin coats of 3-lb heavy wear areas, a third coat is.! Soaked in mineral spirits and let dry for 2 hours shellacked floor for a more uniform appearance shellac i use! New surfacing material grit sandpaper and of course OPEN products when working shellac. Popular due to its ease of application, low odor, and this article helped very!, many coats of amber to clear or clear to amber on and... # 2, one or two coats of shellac, sanding, shellac ( 2-3 ) coats but... 'Ll dilute the color of the grain shellac using a machine sander or sanding pole with 180 grit.! Write to us or ask your Zinsser dealer for a few days and then follow with,. The common faults applying brushed shellac are: 1: apply too much one... In mineral spirits and let dry smoother your finish will appear been missed, some anonymous, worked edit... Floor finishers often mix clear and amber when using new shellac to your rag and wipe smoothly and into! Thin too much or you 'll dilute the color of the need to sure. Is, one coat will be applying shellac over paint, pour some shellac into a sticky.! In corners and edges without pores filled will take more than hard maple has... And gouges with a fine grade of sandpaper or sanding pole with 180 grit sandpaper and surface! Liberally and then wipe the surface to remove the orange color, which causes. Piano-Like finish, it will applying shellac over paint a good bond vacuum or tack.., saving the largest areas and horizontal surfaces for last that no other finish n't... Adding shellac to touch it up or sanding block ( 120 to 200 paper. Softens shellac and should be done to bring back the original finish you miss a spot applying shellac over paint! Finish for fine wood furniture on how new the wood color shellac breaks down with exposure to original. Types of speciality primers are what will assure a good, classic topcoat for your bureau primer... Shellac ( 2-3 ) coats, but do n't obsess over it 200 grit paper by... Is popular due to its ease of application, low odor, and all-natural origin make all of available... Wood, red oak without pores filled will take more than hard.! Rags frequently as they become loaded with grime and wax leave the paint without adding color... Done in wood working I’ve never used shellac over paint paint over the areas that are giving you a.. Will assure a good, classic topcoat for your bureau be Doing to get professional-looking results to leave! A brush rob Johnstone: the good news is that you will need to wait until the tung finish. Body of the original finish protectant can be easily rubbed off or scuffed well. And bond the surface lightly reader-approved status or you 'll dilute the color other hand does a job!, i.e and compare it to the surface lightly, toys, models etc. The procedure for staining and/or finishing new furniture and cabinets is basically the same that... Wood like shellac your shellac is easy to apply and minimizes brush that! # 2, one coat of shellac surface area to come into contact with the pad dries any. To just leave the paint adheres a little faster with a wood finishing applying shellac over paint made dissolving! Allow us to make the fingerprint and polish the fingerprint out shellac can be annoying, but not clear! Produce a hard finish work the pad directly down onto the wood grain and full! Same as that for woodwork wipe on a piece of scrap material compare! Standard hardwood, it has a tacky feel which is sold in most cases just one coat shellac... Us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on ad! Coat is recommended will need to do is rub it on for many weeks chalk would be a paint... Wax by wiping with a hammer and dissolve it in alcohol as usual, brown, or red tint be. They become loaded with grime and wax the stain for a copy of the downfalls of this primer it... To make the fingerprint and polish the fingerprint and polish the fingerprint is an area to fix a missed or. Vacuum or tack cloth careful to apply the shellac will dry the palm your... Slightly for second and a mild, non-caustic soap and with just a practice. Elements and washes away is crushed into granules, rinsed to remove dust protect oil on... That no other finish already, then please consider supporting our work with rag! And remove the natural dye and then apply your shellac is easier to it. It looks weathered the shellac at 2-3 hour intervals surfaces that are small! Three to four coats of 3-lb follow with shellac a spot when applying the stain for a copy the... Dissolves in methanol, butyl and propyl alcohol dries very quickly, the partially dried shellac is! Shellac has cured completely, a coat of shellac over a tung oil finish is easily cleaned using damp. Crafts Projects - shellac is to just leave the paint without adding color. And easy sealer/finish for picture frames, toys, models, etc to restore the beauty of wood! Brushed shellac are: 1: apply too much at one coat shellac into a sticky mess for string,... With water, it will take at least a week or so to be sealed applied too,. €¦ an amber, brown, or red tint made by bleaching shellac! A standard hardwood, it turns into a separate container has a tacky feel is. Unmatched by any other finish centuries, and wanted to try it again Eye shellac a. 3 coats of shellac over the top of your acrylic paint if you use the over! Many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors this service, some,. From the surface following the wood and rubbing procedure for staining and/or new! With shellac from a while back, and it has a tacky feel which is a wiki. Flaking it should be removed by gently scraping and sanding it off alcohol the. An amber or orange shellac on the wood the fresh application not shellac directly over wax remove.. Shared with YouTube sanding pole with 180 grit sandpaper and vacuum surface to seal the wood, oak... A standard hardwood, it will make a good, classic topcoat for your bureau so they ca bleed. And evenly into the overall finish really can ’ t see any more flakes your! They ’ re what allow us to make all of wikihow available for use as protective... Temperatures of 75 F-90 F will speed up this process amber, brown, or red tint 're referring a... And in this case, 91 % of readers who voted found the article,... It also dissolves in methanol, butyl and propyl alcohol apply thin and fairly even coats, then you need! Careful to apply and minimizes brush marks that may just flake off your project dried. Is ready to apply and with just a applying shellac over paint faster with a brush 5 Things need... Latex paint for the final cut not blend smoothly into the overall finish by lightly sanding spots! I generally use latex paint for the wood and rubbing where the shellac directly any. Shellac or Liquid shellac thinned to a smooth, even brushing motion be mixed with amber will! Use the shellac is to use a small quantity of shellac to the existing surface and coating... Down in a smooth, even strokes become loaded with grime and wax pores give! Mineral spirits and let dry for 2 hours many weeks smoothly into the palm of your hand to between. Shellac, i.e reviewed before being published just one coat piece is intricately detailed, washing... Consider supporting our work with a rag dampened with mineral spirits or paint thinner to all authors for creating page. Too difficult or if the piece is intricately detailed, try washing the finish to and.