Shellac Wood Finish Pros And Cons: Advantages & Disadvantages



General Overview

Shellac is regarded as one of the best finishes when it comes to wood that is very easy to apply with the help of a rag, brush, or sprayer. The best thing about the Shellac finish is that dries very fast so you can apply several coats in one day. Shellac is known as a natural finish that has been used for the past so many years. Shellac has a pleasant color that strengthens the natural beauty of the wood. The shellac is available in the market in a huge variety ranging from garnet, amber, and clear. This type of wood finish usually develops a patina that darkens with age. However, Shellac may not be the best finish for a dining room table due to the reason that alcohol may be served. The shellac finish will be eliminated as soon as any alcohol falls on the table.

How To Apply Shellac?

Shellac is extremely easy to apply to your wood projects. It can be applied with the help of a rag or a brush and can also be sprinkled with the help of a paint sprayer. The denatured alcohol in shellac dries up very fast so you can apply several coats in one day. Each new coat of shellac consumes into the previous coat meaning there is no need to sand between coats. The only time you may need sanding down the shellac is if you find any defect, drip, dirt, etc in the finish.

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Shellac Wood Finish

There are some advantages & disadvantages of using Shellac finish on wood, which are mentioned below. Go through all the pros & cons carefully below choosing a Shellac finish for your wood project:

Advantages/Pros

  • Shellac is non-poisonous having no fumes at all, and due to its non-poisonous nature it's safe for the places having children and pets.
  • Shellac strengthens the natural beauty of wood.
  • This type of wood finish is easy to apply due to the reason that it dries very fast and can be applied by sprinkling or brushing it on.
  • Shellac also offers a hard finish that doesn’t get yellowish like varnish.
  • If in case you need to make restorations on shellac, then at that time apply a new topcoat of shellac over the old finish in order to eliminate the scratches or blemishes.
  • Shellac Wood Finish is available in a huge range of colors and can be stripped off the wood using alcohol.
  • Shellac dries very fast as a result several coats can be applied in one day.

Disadvantages/Cons

  • Anything with alcohol, including liquor or even cologne, can damage the finish. Other chemicals like ammonia can also cause issues so be careful while cleaning you shellac.
  • Heat lightens the shellac, so it is the best idea if you prevent anything from putting on or near the surface.
  • If you set a glass down, the moisture may leave a white ring particularly if the finish has a higher wax content. Shellac does start to worsen after it sits in the alcohol mixture for some time.
  • Shellac is only obtainable in high gloss but it can become less intense using 0000 steel wool.
  • Shellac is not as long-lasting as compared to other finishes, but it’s easy to repair.
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