Glenn, can you put shellac over the Briwax? I have some Briwax in dark ordered and don't have access to water based stains here. I hate to order some online because of picking colors and shipping costs. I was thinking maybe I could just use the Briwax both before AND after the shellac?

Sorry you can't use shellac over wax it will not stick. You can however go to the local hardware store and buy minwax oil based stain in small cans. Apply according to directions and let cure for 24 hours and then you can shellac. It can be whatever brand they carry in the store. The wax is only used after the finsih coat is applied such as shellac.
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Ok. Since you recommended the water based stain I figured I should avoid the oil based ones. Thank you, again.

The new water based stains are not as good as the aniline dye water based stains. That is why I said oil based. Also the new water based stains you get at Lowes or a hardware store have a muddy look to them and the oil base does not.
Sorry for the confusion.

I found a good (I think) wood dye from a wood working shop in Boise. It is made by General Finishes. I am working and practicing on the FW card table I got. Love the stain, hate the shellac which several of you say is so easy to use! Obviously, I am doing something wrong! I have gotten blotches, streaks, thick areas next to thin areas, and shine next to dull.

Help? Could you post a video of exactly how you do this sometime? You all say it is easy, but I sure can't get it right. I have tried several times, sanding it off and starting over... Then sometimes I have diluted the shellac down with denatured alcohol and tried to "melt and blend." It is not working for me. I need to see someone doing it, I guess. I have tried to find a video tutorial online, but have not found one that shows how to do this.

French polishing seems to be put on extremely thinly, which I didn't do the first times I tried getting the shellac on... But I tried to follow your instructions on QB instead of googling it first.

I wish you lived next door so that I could come over and watch you shellac!!

You are not doing anything wrong. You just are not applying enough coats. the first coat will be dull and not uniform. The seconed coat will get better and the third will be great. Shellac has to be build up in layers. If you thin the shellac to much it will soak into the wood and will require more coats to build up the finish. After the last coat as cured for a week or so buff with wax and fine steel wool then buff to a shine. I use briwax.

Oh. Pkay, then, I will keep adding more coats of shellac. Do you add any dematured alcohol to it, or use it straight? And didn't recmmend using a lint free cloth to apply? Using it straight on the piece dries so fast that the cloth sticks to the wood before I can swipe twice in a row, the same spot! And I get ridges at the edge.

In my instruction I think I said to add a drop or two of linseed oil to the shellac on the rag to keep the rag from sticking. I did say to use a lint free rag in the french polishing. You can add about a 1/4 cup alcohol to the shellac to thin it down some. You go in a circular motion when french polishing and then swipe with the grain at the last. If you use a rag to apply shellac always use a drop or two of linseed oil. In your case just brush on three or four coats of shellac. You can sand lightly between coats to remove any brush marks. Wait a day between coats to allow curing time.

The linseed oil makes a difference! I use your mixture as a basic then tweak it according to need and weather. Right now, our humidity makes everything gooey.

On another note, I have rescued a container (never used) that I plan on storing solution #1 in. At times, a brush would be helpful for applying this to larger areas, keeping the solution clean. I don't plan on brushing it on heavily, just brush to apply and then use the rag for that specific small area. These containers have a built in brush!! Someone's trash is my treasure.

Okay, Glenn, I missed the linseed oil part. I'll do that. And, add 1/4 denatured alcohol to how much shellac?

Thank you.