A good article on the subject.  FWIW, Mitch has taught finishing and touch up at a place in Minnesota for many years.   One of the touch up teachers I had with Mohawk was trained by him.

 

I really had to chuckle at the opening line (Reminded me of Steve Mickley's "polyoneverythane" line)

Recently I was asked to judge a woodworking show. One of the best pieces was a wonderfully constructed grandfather clock. Unfortunately, a quick brushing of polyurethane ruined the clock’s appearance. The clock’s creator said he chose polyurethane for protection. But how durable does a coating on a grandfather clock have to be? Why put a finish originally designed for floors on a beautiful clock?

 

 

Tips For Using Shellac Popular Woodworking.pdf

Thanks for the PDF

On 5/18/2022 at 8:48 AM, kmealy said:

But how durable does a coating on a grandfather clock have to be? Why put a finish originally designed for floors on a beautiful clock?

 

I have to agree with that.

Thanks, Keith.

 

I have a new piece on the table, white but finely grained - old growth mystery wood ... spruce, maybe? - the top of a curb-found sideboard. And want the growth lines darkened while minimizing overall darkening. Time to learn more about shellac. 

 

The earliest written evidence of shellac goes back 3,000 years, but shellac is known to have been used earlier. According to the ancient Indian epic poem, the Mahabharata, an entire palace was built out of dried shellac. - wiki