Shellac

Shellac is a natural primer, sanding sealant, and stain-blocking primer. It is also an excellent protective varnish for your gilded work and an indoor sealant for timber. Shellac dries naturally to a high-gloss finish. For applications with a flatter (less shiny) appearance, products containing amorphous silica, such as “Shellac Flat,” can be added to the dissolved shellac.

Shellac naturally contains a small amount of wax (3% to 5% by volume) from the lac bug. In some formulations, this wax is removed, resulting in a product known as “dewaxed shellac.” This removal is done for applications where the shellac will be topped with another coating, such as paint or varnish, to ensure better adhesion. Non-dewaxed shellac appears milky in liquid form but dries clear.