Home Improvement Training - How to Remove Shellac from Wood | Ask This Old House

In this video, paint expert Mauro Henrique helps a pair of homeowners bring their woodwork back to life by removing old shellac in the simplest ways possible. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Shellac was a popular finish many years ago, but it has its challenges. It needs to be applied in the right temperatures, and its drying time needs to be respected to prevent uneven textures. But, shellac is tough and can take forever to sand. When a pair of homeowners needed their woodwork repaired, paint expert Mauro Henrique knew just what to do. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app Tools 3-inch chipping brush [https://homedepot.sjv.io/qzZAeq] Paint scraper [homedepot.sjv.io/xLO105] Painter’s multi-tool [https://homedepot.sjv.io/21bO4O] Small putty knives [https://homedepot.sjv.io/vNM4EW] 5-gallon bucket [https://homedepot.sjv.io/nLBo1x] Wet/dry vacuum [https://homedepot.sjv.io/nXg71X] 3-inch brushes for water based finishes [https://homedepot.sjv.io/YRBqDK] Respirator [homedepot.sjv.io/e1amdj] Safety glasses [https://homedepot.sjv.io/EKWeAX] Rubber gloves [https://homedepot.sjv.io/XmWJza] Where to find it? Mauro prepped the area by covering the floor with drop cloths and protecting the windows and surrounding walls with Scotch Blue pre-taped painter’s plastic sheeting [https://homedepot.sjv.io/N94znP] and painter’s tape [https://homedepot.sjv.io/MAy50Y]. Mauro removed the shellac by applying denatured alcohol [https://amzn.to/4c6On3V]–any type will work. He poured the alcohol into a plastic bowl and used 2-½" to 3” flat chip brushes [https://homedepot.sjv.io/qzZAeq] and then had it sit for a couple minutes before scraping it off. To scrape the shellac—wear safety glasses [https://homedepot.sjv.io/EKWeAX], an n95 mask [homedepot.sjv.io/e1amdj], and disposable gloves [https://homedepot.sjv.io/XmWJza]. To scrape off the first, thick layer of shellac, Mauro used a mix of his Warner carbide paint scraper [homedepot.sjv.io/xLO105], painter’s multi-tool [https://homedepot.sjv.io/21bO4O], 1” to 1-½” putty knives [https://homedepot.sjv.io/vNM4EW], and a 5-gallon bucket [https://homedepot.sjv.io/nLBo1x] to catch all debris. After the thickest layer was off, fine grade (#00) [https://homedepot.sjv.io/19R1a6] and medium (#1) steel wool pads [https://homedepot.sjv.io/gOgDvv] and heavy-duty scour pads [https://homedepot.sjv.io/zxregx] were used. Scour pads and a painter’s multi-tool are helpful for grooved areas. Multi-purpose shop rags [https://homedepot.sjv.io/bO2Dbm] were used to wipe tools clean of the shellac in between scrapes. Before adding the new finish, sand the trim with 220-grit sanding sponges [https://homedepot.sjv.io/2aMQkM] and pads [https://homedepot.sjv.io/RGmOP2]. Use a shop vacuum [https://homedepot.sjv.io/nXg71X] to vacuum up all debris. Mauro used Varathane Clear Satin Water-Based Polyurethane [https://homedepot.sjv.io/4Gor5L]. He chose a water-based polyurethane to avoid excessive off-gassing because of the young child in the house. Oil-based polyurethane has a much stronger odor, although fewer coats would be needed. The water-based polyurethane will need 2-3 coats, maybe more depending on the wood. Drying instructions will depend on the manufacturer but water-based will dry faster than oil. 2-½" to 3” synthetic brushes [https://homedepot.sjv.io/YRBqDK] were used. About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home. Follow This Old House: Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG How to Remove Shellac from Wood | Ask This Old House https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/