Rant: I just read that a lot of pros think shellac is only for antiques, and I think they're wrong.

I was reading an old trade magazine from the library, one from the 90s, and it said shellac was on its way out for anything but museum pieces. That really surprised me. I've been using it for years on modern stuff, like a maple desk I finished just last fall. It dries fast, fixes easy, and the amber tone can look really warm, not old. I mixed a 2-pound cut with some alcohol and it went on smooth. The idea that it's only for old things feels like people just repeating what they heard. It's a solid finish if you know how to use it. Has anyone else used shellac on newer furniture and gotten pushback from clients or other finishers?

2 comments

2 Comments

robin_jones1mo ago

Yeah, my uncle swore by it for his guitar builds... said it gave the wood a voice that poly just couldn't match.

morganj811mo ago

Wait, they really said that in a magazine? I've used shellac on new oak cabinets and a pine bookshelf last year, no problems. The trick is getting the mix right and working in a warm room so it doesn't get gummy. I had one client ask if it was an old-timey finish, but they loved the look after it was done. It's just another tool, not some relic.