Shellac is the secretion of female cochineal. There are several colors, but in fact it corresponds to dirty (brown/red), less dirty (orange-brown), and clean (blond).
Shellac can also be dewaxed (or degreased), which allows it to be put on the wood directly without a sealer. The first layer of diluted shellac acts as a pore filler. Remember, for unoiled finishes, we never grease the wood, so no wax. Shellac is no exception to this rule.
If you do not have dewaxed shellac, you will have to fill the holes with pumice (silk pumice) and alcohol, before applying a first diluted coat of shellac so as not to grease the wood.
I remind you that if you oil your wood, with wax for example, the oil will gradually be absorbed by the wood and also evaporate. The surface will gradually lose its appearance and become rough. It's nice for a few weeks, but it won't last over time. Any oiled finish generally needs to be renewed for this reason.
Please note: Shellac can only be stored in flakes; allow 6 months in prepared liquid. If the layer sticks after drying (30 minutes), the preparation should be thrown away, it is no longer drying.

Proportions :
1 cut 125g flakes for 1l alcohol impregnation (pore filler)
2 cut 250g flakes for 1l alcohol easy fine application
3 cut 375g flakes for 1l alcohol thick and difficult deposit

The alcohol must be 95%, the ideal being alcohol without ketones (product used in Europe to denature the product). Prefer methanol denaturant. (varnishing alcohol)
I will use 95% ethanol used for ethanol fireplaces, it is easier to find, and for small areas, there will be no difference.


Application:
With a brush, quick drying, pass on one side of the brush, then pass on the other side, do not iron, as it dries very quickly.
With pad (french polishing):
Allows you to better wet and crush the product between layers, but requires a helping hand.

Step 1: the dewaxed sealer can be covered with any finish
Step 2: applying shellac
Step3: finishing and smoothing with a drop of mineral oil

-Additional information:
- Food finish, used for example to coat candies so that they do not melt, also used on nails.
- Repairable, but cannot withstand alcohol. Can be coated with a waterproof finish if shellac is dewaxed.
Operate in ventilated environments, as all the alcohol evaporates during work.

Summary:
00:00 Introduction
02:37 Preparing shellac
07:48 Creation of the test box
10:57 Making the pore filler - sealer
19:03 Method 1: applying shellac with a brush
23:57 Method 2: applying shellac with a pad
28:18 Smoothing shellac
32:36 Oil finish
37:03 Photo gallery