Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 21 minutes ago
One of the oldest finishes we still use today is shellac. Shellac comes from lac resin, which is produced by the lac insect.
As it feeds on certain tree saps, it oozes a protective resin that hardens on the branches and is later scraped off, cleaned, melted, and turned into shellac flakes.That resin does the same job on your project — a protective shell. Shell…lac.
The shellac you use is mixed with alcohol. The alcohol flashes off quickly leaving behind a hard resin shield. If you need a project done fast, shellac shines here. You can get two coats on and be done in about 30 minutes.
Shellac is also one of the easiest finishes to work with later on...because it can be softened and reworked instead of needing to be sanded off and added again.
That same property can work for you…or against you. Shellac is a thermoplastic. Heat or alcohol will soften it which makes it easy to rework and blend back together. Scratches, wear marks or dull spots can be refinished, but it also means that heat or alcohol can damage it.
Shellac is fast, forgiving, and reliable…but there are a few things to keep in mind. It can discolor lighter woods, it can whiten if you get water on it, and it’s not a high-wear finish like polyurethane.
It also has a shorter shelf life once it’s liquid, so only pour what you need and seal the container back up.
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One of the oldest finishes we still use today is shellac. Shellac comes from lac resin, which is produced by the lac insect.
As it feeds on certain tree saps, it oozes a protective resin that hardens on the branches and is later scraped off, cleaned, melted, and turned into shellac flakes.That resin does the same job on your project — a protective shell. Shell…lac.
The shellac you use is mixed with alcohol. The alcohol flashes off quickly leaving behind a hard resin shield. If you need a project done fast, shellac shines here. You can get two coats on and be done in about 30 minutes.
Shellac is also one of the easiest finishes to work with later on...because it can be softened and reworked instead of needing to be sanded off and added again.
That same property can work for you…or against you. Shellac is a thermoplastic. Heat or alcohol will soften it which makes it easy to rework and blend back together. Scratches, wear marks or dull spots can be refinished, but it also means that heat or alcohol can damage it.
Shellac is fast, forgiving, and reliable…but there are a few things to keep in mind. It can discolor lighter woods, it can whiten if you get water on it, and it’s not a high-wear finish like polyurethane.
It also has a shorter shelf life once it’s liquid, so only pour what you need and seal the container back up.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. KBill Patterson
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
