Skip to content
Fine Woodworking
Main Menu
Subscribe
GET THE MAGAZINE & MORE
Magazine Cover
  • Save 69% off the cover price
  • Or, get everything with UNLIMITED, including 40+ years of the online archive.
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • Projects & Plans
  • How-To
  • Shop Tips
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Magazine
  • Video Workshops
  • Members
  • Forum
  • Gallery
  • Blogs
  • More
    • Log In
    • Join
    Fine Woodworking Main Menu Subscribe

    Fine Woodworking Project Guides

    Finishing

    Guide Home
    Chapter
    • Finishing Basics
    • Tools & Materials
    • Sanding & Surface Preparation
    • Coloring Wood
    • Finish Types & Waxes
    • Spray Finishing
    • Shellac & Other Finishes
    • Repairs & Refinishing
    Member-Only

    Sign in or become a member to access this story

    Sign in

    Seal Your Project with Dewaxed Shellac

    Finishing pro Jeff Jewitt explains which shellac sealer to use.

    Author Headshot By Jeff Jewitt #243–Nov/Dec 2014 Issue
    dewaxed shellac sealcoat

    Q:

    Is there any difference in the sealing properties of Zinsser’s SealCoat (dewaxed shellac) and regular Bulls Eye shellac? I have had trouble finding SealCoat. Can I use regular shellac as a sealer instead?

    Mike Smith, Seneca, SC

    A:

    Both of these products seal the wood equally well, but some finishes won’t stick to regular shellac. Both amber and clear Bulls Eye shellac have a natural waxy substance that interferes with the adhesion of oil-based polyurethane and water-based finishes. To address that problem, Zinsser created SealCoat, a dewaxed shellac, meaning it has the wax removed. That’s why you see SealCoat advertised as a “Universal Sanding Sealer” on the can.

    A representative at Zinsser told me that although they are still producing SealCoat, a poor shellac crop has driven the prices up, and many customers have turned to cheaper alternatives. As a result, some stores have stopped stocking…

    Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.

    Sign Up

    Start your 14-day FREE trial to continue reading this story.

    Plus, access more than 1,900 in-depth articles and more when you become a member.

    Start Your Free Trial Now

    Already a member? Log In

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up
    ×
    X
    X
    Previous: All about Sealers Next: Jet-Black Filler Looks Like a Natural Pitch Pocket

    Guide

    Finishing

    Chapter

    Sanding & Surface Preparation

    Comments

    1. User avater
      OROWoodworks | Apr 11, 2019 03:47pm | #1

      I've never had any trouble with using Zinsser's regular shellac under oil-based poly. I've done it quite a few times with no ill effects. Granted, it is usually glazed when I do this, and I would bet that the solvents in the oil-based glaze remove waxiness from the surface of the shellac.

      Another option is to just use whatever finish you're going to end with as the sealer -- the only reason to use shellac is its rapid drying time. Nothing about shellac "seals" the wood any better than polyurethane -- but if you want to seal, glaze, then finish, shellac makes the process faster. If you are just wanting to seal, sand the nibs and raised grain, then finish, you might as well just use whatever you are going to top coat it with, especially if you seal it as the last stage of the day's work.

    Log in or become a member to post a comment.

    Sign up Log in

    Finishing

    Finishing

    Choose and apply the perfect finish for your project.

    View Project Guide

    View All Project Guides »

    Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Finishing Project Guide.

    Start Free Trial

    Finishing Basics
    • An Introduction to Finishing
    • Finish Selection
    Tools & Materials
    • Brushes and Applicators
    • Brushing Techniques
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Safety
    Sanding & Surface Preparation
    • Before You Finish
    • Sanding
    • Sealers and Fillers
    Coloring Wood
    • Dyes and Stains
    • Painted Finishes
    • Ebonizing & Oxidizing
    • Fuming
    • Gilding
    Finish Types & Waxes
    • Oil-Based Finishes
    • Water-Based Finishes
    • Wax
    Spray Finishing
    • Equipment and Setup
    • Spray Techniques
    Shellac & Other Finishes
    • Shellac
    • French Polishing
    • Finish Recipes
    Repairs & Refinishing
    • Finish Repairs
    • Refinishing

    Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

    • #289-May/June 2021

      • Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm
      • Links from Fine Woodworking issue #289
      • Seven tasks for a block plane
    • #288-Mar/Apr 2021

      • Phil Lowe: A craftsman and gentleman
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #288
      • Phil Lowe: craftsman, teacher, friend
    • #287-Jan/Feb 2021

      • Simple, handsome 17th-century box
      • Online extras from FWW issue #287
      • Editor's letter: Finding sanctuary in the shop
    • #286-Tools & Shops 2021

      • Shoulder plane setup and use
      • Online extras from FWW issue #286
      • From the editor: A shop to call home
    • #285-Nov/Dec 2020

      • Make a dovetailed desktop organizer
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #285
      • Announcing FWW ambassadors

    UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

    Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership

    Fine WoodWorking

    Follow

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Membership & Magazine

    • Members
    • Digital Libraries
    • Join Unlimited
    • Magazine Subscription
    • Magazine Renewal
    • Gift a Subscription
    • Customer Support
    • Manage Preferences

    Taunton Network

    • Fine Homebuilding
    • Green Building Advisor
    • Fine Gardening
    • Threads
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • California Privacy Rights

    © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building!

      Main Menu

    • Projects and Plans
    • How-To
    • Shop Tips
    • Tools & Materials
    • Videos
    • Gallery
    • Magazine
    • Video Workshops
    • Members
    • Forum

      Popular Topics

    • Design
    • Small Projects
    • Beds
    • Chairs, Benches And Stools
    • Built-ins
    • Storage And Shelves
    • Cabinets
    • Carving
    • Casework
    • Desks
    • Tables
    • Shop Storage And Furniture
    • Woodturning Projects
    • Workbenches
    • Surface Prep

      More

    • TV
    • Forum
    • Blogs
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
    • Customer Support

      Account

    • Log In
    • Join

      Magazine

    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Digital Libraries
    • Magazine Index
    • Subscribe

      Membership

    • Member Home
    • Start Free Trial
    • Gift Unlimited
    • Log In

      Shop the Store

    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Taunton Workshops

      Events

    • Fine Woodworking Live
    • Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

      Account

    • Log In
    • Sign Up

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Follow

    UNLIMITED

    Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Upgrade Membership