Mixing shellac

• Shellac is available in premixed form and as dry flakes that you dissolve yourself in denatured alcohol. For sealing wood stain, the premixed is an easier choice. To make a seal coat, pour some shellac into a jar and cut it in half with denatured alcohol. This makes the shellac easier to apply and allows it to dry faster.
  
  

Applying shellac

• The two best ways to apply shellac are with a fine bristle brush, or with a cotton pad made from rags. To brush on the shellac, dip a fine haired brush lightly into the shellac and brush in one long stroke along the grain. Do not brush back and forth over the same area because you will pull the shellac off that you just applied. Brush a long even stroke next to the first one, and continue this way until you've covered the whole area.
  
  To pad the shellac, cut two pieces of cotton cloth into four-inch squares. Fold one square into a tight ball, tucking in the corners. Place this ball into the second square and pour a little shellac onto the ball until it's moist. Fold the second cloth around this ball tightly and twist the corners tightly at the top. Apply the shellac by wiping the pad in one direction with the grain in a long stroke. Again, don't rub back and forth as you will pull off the previous layer of shellac.
  
  

Buff it out

• Once the first layer of shellac is dry to the touch, use #0000 steel wool and lightly rub back and forth to smooth the shellac. Wipe off the dust and apply a second coat just as you did the first. If you're just sealing the wood stain, then two coats will be enough. If shellac is your final finish, then it's recommended you apply at least six to eight coats, letting each coat dry thoroughly in between.