How to Restore a Shellac Finish

A shellac finish on your wood furniture must be restored if mistreated.

A shellac finish can make your wood furniture very attractive but it can also become damaged over time. If a shellac finish begins to show signs of wear, it can lose its shine and you may need to replace the shellac to restore the furniture to its original luster. It is important to pay attention to the job when you are applying a new finish to a piece of furniture to avoid damaging the wood.

Things You'll Need

• Duster
• Wax and polish removing agent
• Clean cloth rag
• Super fine (0000 grade) steel wool
• Paint thinner
• Shellac
• Paintbrush
• Fine grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Dust the piece of furniture thoroughly to remove all dust and debris which could get in the way of the cleaning process.

2. Use a wax and polish removing agent to remove any excess wax or polish. While many apply these agents to make a piece of furniture look good, excessive use can diminish the finish of the shellac. Do not apply the agent directly to the wood; pour it onto a rag then rub the agent onto the surface of the wood in a circular motion. For more difficult areas, you may use steel wool, but only rub it in the direction of the grain.

3. Use paint thinner if the wax and polish removing agent does not fully remove any haze to your satisfaction. Apply the thinner to a piece of super fine steel wool and rub it along the grain.

4. Apply a new layer of shellac to the wood in areas where chips, grooves or scuffs have led to a loss of the shellac finish. For minor surface damage, simply applying the shellac will suffice to remedy the problem.

5. Use sandpaper to smooth over difficult areas which can not be fixed by simply applying a new layer of shellac. Gently sand the area with fine grit paper until a smooth surface is revealed, then apply a new layer of shellac.

References

• Furniture Renewal: Restoring Shellac Finishes