This SIMPLE wood finish will save you DAYS of shop time! (Shellac)
This SIMPLE wood finish will save you DAYS of shop time! (Shellac)
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Hi Stumpy, Your videos are excellent and full of good information you can’t find elsewhere. Don’t judge me, but I have an antique dining table that I have stripped and sanded, and I’m stuck trying to figure out the right finish. The natural color is so beautiful and beigey (it’s golden oak I’m told, but it looks like white oak to me). I want to preserve the natural color, because I would hate for it to turn gold when finished. I also need durability in the finish, since we eat and play games on it. I’ve seen your tung oil vids and this one, and I can’t decide what to do or if a combo finish is best. I would really love your input!
Great info and nicely presented. Thank-you!
A stay at home woodworker dad, with many little ones running about the shop at the time, decided to only use shellac by mixing flakes into 200 proof alcohol. If a kid got hold of a jar it, it was far less poisonous when ingested than a denatured alcohol mix. A pro told me that if you experience any sanding scratches when sanding shellac, check for the paper loading (corning). If the sandpaper corns, it will easily scratch your applied shellac. Appropriately dried shellac should make a nice dry powder as you sand with finer grits. If it doesn’t, it may not be fully dried or it’s old. You can also use fine wet dry paper and some mineral spirits to lubricate for sanding, to reduce the chance of putting sanding scratches in the applied shellac finish from loaded sandpaper. (Mineral spirits will not dissolve a cured shellac finish.) Wipe off the sanding swarth well before applying more shellac.
Small typo – At around 4:07 in the video, the mentioning of mixing pound cuts said to "dissolve in water" (twice).
Comment on Shellac for dining room table tops: My parent’s dining room table was shellac finished and it has no problem with ordinary wine/beer spills. The only spill that effectively removed the finish was over 100 proof, and it was not cleaned up right away.
Aren’t aniline dyes carcinogenic?
You’re such a great teacher and woodworker, Stumpy. I’m lookin’ forward to seein’ the day you eclipse a millions subs! 🙌🙌🙌
You and The Samurai Carpenter are LONG OVERDUE for a 1,000,000 subscribers.
▼EXPAND THIS SECTION FOR IMPORTANT INFO▼
*Tools used in this video:*
– Coffee grinder: https://amzn.to/3ERazA7
– Digital scale: https://amzn.to/3gtNEkT
– Magnetic stirrer: https://amzn.to/3Ev84SL
– Tiger shellac flakes: https://amzn.to/3OpGOcK
– More wood finishing videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-gT7JMZFYje9AEX4bPTmWUZV9qyZRYi9
★THIS VIDEO WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY★
Fisch Forstner and drill Bits: https://amzn.to/3KT440D
*Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!*
(If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission)
*Some other useful links:*
-More videos on our website: https://stumpynubs.com/
-Subscribe to our e-Magazine: https://stumpynubs.com/browse-and-subscribe/
-Check out our project plans: https://stumpynubs.com/product-category/plans/
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stumpynubs/
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★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★
-123 Blocks: https://lddy.no/vpij
-Mechanical Pencils: https://amzn.to/2PA7bwK
-Lumber pencil: https://amzn.to/2QtwZjv
-Pocket Measuring Tape: http://amzn.to/2kNTlI9
-Irwin Drill Bit Gauge: http://amzn.to/2AwTkQg
-Nut/Bolt/Screw Gauge: http://amzn.to/2CuvxSK
-Self-Centering Punch: https://amzn.to/2QvbcrC
-Self-Centering Bits: https://amzn.to/2xs71UW
-Angle Cube: https://lddy.no/10nam
-Steel Ruler: https://lddy.no/10mv7
-Utility knife: https://amzn.to/3nfhIiv
-Center-Finding Ruler: https://lddy.no/10nak
-Bit & Blade Cleaner: https://amzn.to/2TfvEOI
-Digital depth gauge: https://amzn.to/3mwRf2x
-Wood Glue: https://amzn.to/3mqek6M
-Spade Bits: https://amzn.to/3j8XPtD
★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★
-Digital Caliper: https://amzn.to/384H1Or
-Marking Gauge: https://lddy.no/10muz
-Marking knife: https://lddy.no/10mv0
-Narex Chisels: https://lddy.no/sqm3
-Stanley Sweetheart Chisels: https://amzn.to/3y5HDOc
-Mini Pull Saw: https://amzn.to/2UEHBz6
-Gent Saw: https://lddy.no/ss2x
-Coping saw: https://amzn.to/2W7ZiUS
-Shinwa Rulers: https://lddy.no/zl13
★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★
-Miter Saw: https://amzn.to/3gqIlQ8
-Jointer: https://amzn.to/3yc3gfZ
-Planer: https://amzn.to/3mn6BGF
-Router: https://amzn.to/3grD22S
-Sander: https://amzn.to/3DdvD0Y
-Cordless drill: https://amzn.to/3D9ZiIm
-Brad nailer: https://amzn.to/3gsRkjH
-Mini Compressor: https://amzn.to/3mvrmQr
-Bladerunner: https://amzn.to/2Wl0TtJ
-Jig Saw: https://amzn.to/3zetTBY
-Scroll Saw: https://amzn.to/3gq9qDc
-Multi-Tool: https://amzn.to/3muZuMi
★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★
-Drill Bits: https://amzn.to/3B8Ckzh
-Forstner Bits: https://amzn.to/3kk3wEI
-Shop Vacuum: https://amzn.to/2Wkqnbl
-Machine Setup Blocks: https://amzn.to/3gq7kDh
-Counter-Sink Bit: https://amzn.to/37ZukUo
-Featherboard: https://amzn.to/3DeqHsq
-ISOtunes Hearing Protection (Save $10): https://bit.ly/3BHYdH7
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Does Shalac is suit for outdoor or only indoor aplications? Can it resist an direct UV sun exposer?
Nice video, this sounds like French Polishing?
What is shellac made of? Like the flakes themselves. They are non-toxic. But my wife asked me and I didn’t know what to tell her. Thx.
Well yesterday I opened up my can of waxed shellac poured off 1 cup added 1/4 cup of alcohol and then put 6+/- coats on an Alder foot stool I made the wife. Had some left came inside and found a little maple and sape’le little grand son seat and put 4/5 coats on its top then put the Rest on another project. It was so easy put applicators in ziplock bag and cleaned hands by doing breakfast dishes. I’m a believer in shellac Thank you STUMPY.
I was thinking of making an end grain table top and mixing shellac and sawdust to use as grout for it. I would like to turn the mixture black. Anyone have any tips?
Thank you for signing the attributes of Shellach, its always been a go-to for me.
Hi, I hope you read this. It’s January 28, 2023 . I have just gotten back from the Sherwin Williams Paint store. They informed me now in Michigan and Ohio they have outlawed oil base paint. So what happens to paint? Rust-oleum, oil base polyurethane and other paints?
Can you use Tru Oil on top of a Shellac finish?
I like the colour the Shellac gives.
So interesting, so informative and so well presented. I did not know anything about Shellac prior to watching this.
I have always sprayed it. Works great. A couple coats of seal coat then sanded to 320 then either straight shellac or lacquer sprayed.
Oh yes! This is what I need. Thanks for this great presentation.
Nice video! Very informative. Could you talk about the different types of shellac (amber, blonde, garnet, etc) and how each one looks on different types of wood? Also the difference between using stain and shellac vs. using colored shellac on raw wood.
M&M’s …..c ‘mon man
Some Mexican supermarkets sell 100 proof grain
When talking about ounces of liquid, do you mean ounce, as weight or fluid ounces, there is a difference.
another simple add on to the process: Instead of sanding after the first coats, use pumice powder (whiting) on the applicator was to gently sand as you go. It’s used as a way to achieve ‘French polish’ like on string instruments but for me on furniture, it’s actually a simple time saver and is foolproof even with no experience.
Can you use shellac over a hard wax oil?
You mentioned early in the video dissolving shellac flakes in water and later you talked of dissolving the flakes in alcohol. Are both acceptable ?
Many thanks for this informative and enlightening tutorial. Didn’t know that you can shellac over poly. Im gonna sand down a not so smooth poly finish on my guitar and apply shellac.I think ill like that much better. Thank you
I am about to begin finishing a baby bed that I have made for a grandson. I thought I had decided to use simply oil for the finish as I desired a non toxic finish that was no more than satin in it’s finish. After watching this, I am now wondering whether I should give serious consideration to shellac. You say it is non-toxic and obviously it is about as simple a finish to apply. I welcome your, and your readers’, thoughts. Thank you.
thanks a mill. good ideas
great video! but please remember us metric people around the world who have no idea what those measurement mean 🙂oz, pints, pounds, gallons? no idea.
I’m assuming applying shellac to a baby cradle would be safe, and I wouldn’t have to wait 30 days for it to cure to be safe enough, as well. Correct?
By the way, Shellac was also used to make the 78rpm forerunner of Vinyl Records. 😉
I’m planning on restoring a 1950s wooden tray trailer (made by a South Australian company called Lightburn!) and I wonder if a shellac coating can stay unaffected in sunlight.
This was such a great video, I need to go make something just so I can use this newfound knowledge.
You said to dissolve the shellac chips in water, you also said to dissolve in alcohol what is it? I’m gonna give this a go.
Love me some bug shell.
forked out $50 for a pound of flake.
Next day mate drops in with a 50lb sack. Dammit.
Shellaced for life now.
Old gramophones work… if you like black.
What’s shellac be okay for a bath tray?
ebonizing oak with speedball brand india ink. it contains shellac. does not indicate if dewaxed or not on the bottle. recommended next step? sanding sealer? more shellac directly over top?
This is as informative as it gets and the example by which we should judge all other "informative" youtube content. Thank you Stumpy Nubs! Saved to FAVS? Done! Subscribed? You bet!
i noticed the can says for indoor use only—is there one for outdoor use?
i want to use it on bird houses etc
You describe the different cuts of finish being dissolved in a gallon of water. (4:05) Did you mean alcohol? If you did mean water, please explain.
Thank you for the information, especially cracking the expiration code on zinnsser seal coat, I have some from S06236 so June 2020 which is 2 years 8 months old and it dried solid in 10 minutes(it was unopened until today)
My concern is for the lives of those precious lac beetles.
Denatured alcohol usually contains methyl (wood) alcohol which most people know is toxic and can cause blindness if consumed. It can also be absorbed through the skin and mucus membranes and over time can cause adverse health effects – including eye damage. Please wear gloves and work in well ventilated areas and you’ll be fine.
This is why I keep returning to this channel, always great information
My old colleague always used linen, which he said was less likely to give off fibers as you use it. He would look for an old linen shirt at a second hand store and it would last him for years. He also used wool for the wadding. He said that sometimes the manufacturers of cotton balls extend the product with some synthetic fibers that might dissolve in the alcohol, causing a problem. I don’t know if that was true, but that was what he claimed. He also was very careful to turn all of the cut edges of the linen to the inside before tying it off, so that there was less chance of losing fibers. He used paraffin to lubricate the rubber, but he only used a very small amount, and usually only on the first layers. He was very careful to always keep the rubber in motion and always moving with the grain. He also used a soft brush on the first layers, because it was easier to get a thick layer started, which he allowed to dry overnight. The next layers could be done with only short waiting times between. The wadding served as a reservoir, and if you squeezed it very gently, you could control the amount of finish left behind.
You’re the best stumpy
Shellac is not a good finish. If you set a cold glass on the surface of a shellac covered piece of wood, moisture condensation will leave a milky ring. Booze is even worse. It melts the finish. Shellac is like lacquer, it has its uses but it is no good for either moisture or wear. Both finishes are totally unsuitable for a table top.
Sometimes you gotta give em a shellacking they never forget.
Safeway sells 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl)(also called isopropanol). Red Heet is isopropanol. Sterno fuel or methanol (methyl alcohol) is in our paint stores and at box stores. Yellow heat is methanol. Caution both alcohols are poisonous. Both dry skin. Both may carry stuff through your, skin. Keep out of your eyes and nose and mouth. Neither are anything like ethanol (everclear). Not advised to get methanol on your skin. Treat alcohols as “immediately dangerous to life and health” if u can smell the vapors. Flammability is an issue with alcohols. Both have flames that may not be visible in good lighting.
Change you surgical gloves every 15 minutes to avoid breakthrough. You will not find a respirator cartridge rated for methanol (prob not for iso either). If u do it’s probably only rated for 20 minutes. Try to have more fresh air than when u are using paint.
Great video. Very complete info. Gives me confidence if I were to want to shellac something that it would be no problem. And I like the ease of prep, application and clean up. I’ll give it a try soon. Thanks…
Very detailed. Thank you.
What I was taught apply shellac several coats use steel wool to dull surface then rub in butchers wax if you want stain first anytime finish looks dry apply coat of butchers wax gives an antique sort of finish
What about shellac over Polyurethane? The Poly for a more durable coat and the shellac for a more food safe and repairable top?