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This old guy at a flea market in Asheville told me shellac is a dead finish
He said modern polyurethane is all anyone needs now. I argued that shellac has its place for repairs and antiques. Anyone still using traditional shellac or is it really outdated?
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lee.jessica1mo ago
That Asheville guy clearly never French polished anything.
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lewis.charlie1mo ago
Wasn't there a whole thread on a woodworking forum about how tough French polishing is to learn? I remember reading it takes a crazy amount of practice to get right. That guy's take did seem a bit off.
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christopher_west15d ago
Honestly, that old guy had a point. For most people doing a tabletop or floor, a wipe-on poly is way more durable and foolproof. The whole French polishing thing @lewis.charlie mentioned is exactly why shellac is a niche skill now. It's beautiful, but it's not practical for protecting a kitchen table from a hot coffee cup.
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