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Always thought shellac was too soft for a table, but a job in Savannah proved me wrong.
Had to match a 1920s finish on a library table there. Used a 2-pound cut of dewaxed shellac with a pad, built up 8 thin coats. The client's cat knocked a heavy vase on it last month, and it just dented the wood underneath, the finish didn't flake or white. Learned that a thick, cured shellac film is way tougher than I gave it credit for. Anyone have a different topcoat that's surprisingly durable on old pieces?
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alex_johnson5mo ago
Was that a fresh shellac job or had it fully cured? The film gets way harder after a few weeks, which might explain why it held up so well. Old-school varnishes can be surprisingly tough too once they've had time to really set.
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riveradams4mo ago
24 hours per coat is a safe bet for shellac to harden up, but the full cure can take a couple weeks depending on humidity. Varnish definitely gets tougher with age too, but it's all about matching the film buildup to the piece.
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