Shellac
Shellac is a natural finish that comes from the secretions of the lac bug. Commonly used on flooring and furniture, shellac gives the surface a bright and finished look and can be used to restore antique furniture.

01: Reclaimed Oak Flooring
Characteristics
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A natural finish with low toxicity
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Available in clear, orange, and pigmented white
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Orange shellac used to restore antique furniture and floors​
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White shellac is used as a stain killer on raw wood
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Not water-resistant and will turn white when in contact with moisture
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Not as durable as synthetic finishes
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Shellac finishes are UV-resistant
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Available in waxed (natural) and dewaxed formulas
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Very effective primer because other finishes bond well with shellac
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Entirely food safe if used with the correct solvent
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suitable for all wood types

02: Finished wood paneling on walls
Production & Maintenance
Production:
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Sourced from a natural resin secreted from the lac bug
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Resin is harvested from the tree branches as flakes then processed and dissolved in denatured alcohol
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to achieve white or clear color, the shellac is bleached using hypochlorite
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Applied to furniture and floors using a clean rag, brush, or spray
Maintenance:
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If the shellac is in good condition, the furniture can be cleaned using a mild dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water
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DO NOT use oil-based soaps because the alcohol in them will ruin the finish
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to repair nicks and scratches, you can add more shellac to the area and buff it out with #0000 steel wool
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To repair an alcohol stain, you can buff the area with a small amount of lemon oil and #0000 steel wool

03: Quarter sawn oak cabinets finished with shellac
Environmental Impact
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Becuase it is made naturally by the lac bugs, the sourcing of shellac has a very low environmental footprint
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Shellac is non-toxic
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Production mainly takes place in India and Southeast Asia, so transportation has a large footprint
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The shelf life is very short, so if it is not used within 6 months, the finish will dry out and will be wasted
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Shellac has a short lifespan becuase it can easily be damaged by alcohol, but can be repaired by applying more shellac to the finish
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Application

The most common application of shellac is a finish on furniture.
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Shellac can be used on tables, countertops, chairs, and just about any other wood furniture
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Shellac can be applied to all types of wood
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To protect the finish, coasters are needed under any moisture
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Organizations:
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RPM Wood Finishes Group
04: Dewaxed shellac applied to an office table

Resources
Images:​
01: Houzz
02: Houzz
03: Lumber Jocks
04: EMTECH
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Information:
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Interior Finishes Textbook
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Page by Ruth Baker
05: Shellac gives a finished look to restore floors in an old home