For shellac finish users, good news: Shellac flakes have become more plentiful. Even those familiar with shellac may not know that it starts out as a crusty protective coating secreted on tree ...

I discuss high-tech wood coatings. But from time to time, I will discuss something that is tried and true and, perhaps, not so high tech. Shellac is definitely a low-tech product. It is the secretion ...

Perhaps you live in an historic house with perfectly intact, never-painted wood. You can just leave it be, or gently clean it with a rag dipped into water with a squirt of Ivory liquid soap. How to ...

Shellac could be making a comeback. It was shoved aside more than 50 years ago in favor of more durable and synthetic wood finishes. But as more consumers are demanding natural products, they’re ...

Dear James: I recently bought an older house. It has beautiful cherry woodwork that needs to be refinished. I have heard about a French-polish finish. Is this a good finish to use and how do I do it? ...

Shellac has stood the test of time as one of the most beautiful and forgiving wood finishes ever created. Derived from natural resin secreted by the lac beetle, shellac provides a warm, luminous glow ...

Is the chest of drawers in your bedroom finished in lacquer or oil? Will it damage the surface if you set a wet glass down on a waxed table? Should you use ammonia to clean a butcher block? Most ...