How to Repair Shellac Finish & Tint the Color: Shellac Amalgamation, a Fixing Furniture Restoration

The cabinet of this bookcase is different colors for some reason. The shellac finish has alligatored to a rough texture. One of the doors has come apart. The metal straps need some polishing. How do you fix all this? Scott Bennett is the owner of Wooden It Be Nice Furniture Repair. Watch how he carefully restores this barrister's bookcase.

The finish on this bookcase is shellac. It is a very repairable finish, so this project doesn't need the finish stripped off - it can be restored by using a technique called amalgamation. Shellac can also be tinted to work as a toner to change the color of the finish.

History - This bookcase was made between 1903 and 1926 in Stratford, Ontario. It was called the “elastic” bookcase, but this style of bookcase was liked by lawyers so much it became commonly known as a “barrister’s bookcase”. (See research articles below)

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LINKS:
Book - Classic Finishing Techniques - https://amzn.to/3Y0sATO
🇨🇦 Canadian link - https://amzn.to/3JBazHp
Natural Bristle Brushes - https://amzn.to/3wQoGkp
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Finisher's Colorwheel - https://amzn.to/3HPJxum
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Garnet Shellac - https://amzn.to/40h3iSO

Note: purchases made with these links help contribute to our video production work

RESEARCH ARTICLES:
1905 Book Case Catalogue https://digital.cincinnatilibrary.org...
https://deepdoodoo.wordpress.com/2012...
https://www.therecord.com/life/2010/1...
https://www.stratford-perthcountybran...
http://www.thecavershamhouse.com/stra...

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See the tools we use in our workshop and the tools we recommend: https://www.amazon.com/shop/homeimpro...
🇨🇦 Canadian link - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/homeimprov...

Fixing Furniture is hosted by Scott Bennett, Owner of Wooden It Be Nice - Furniture Repair in Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. https://WoodenItBeNice.ca

#shellac #restoration #repair