Trying Out Shellac

I've had some experience with oils and varnishes in the past and now bought some genuine shellac flakes. To me, shellac feels overrated, but more on that below.

I guess there's no point going over the obvious: shellac is a natural finish with a cult following. It certainly has some advantages, but it is not going to be my finish of choice.

Pros

Shellac dries quickly. Scratch that, it dries amazingly quickly. It becomes dry to the touch after a few minutes.

There is no smell apart from the alcohol that the flakes are dissolved in. This is a significant advantage over my usual oil-varnish blend, let alone polyurethane. I'll mention here that shellac is also food safe, but to me that makes no difference.

Cons

Shellac does not polymerize, which means it can be dissolved once it's hardened. To me, this is the dealbreaker. Sure, no polymerization means shellac can be partially repaired, but I don't want a finish that can be ruined with alcohol or other common solvents.

I don't like the color - much too yellow for my taste, almost orange. I prefer red and brown tones or no color at all when the wood is bleached white.

It's a good thing I bought only a small bag. I guess I might use it as a primer or a sealant, or maybe to finish something that will hang on the wall and see little use. Or maybe I will change my mind in the future. At least the flakes have a shelf life measured in years, if not decades.