In an age of fast-drying products, few finishes dry as fast as shellac. Shellac is user-friendly and virtually goof-proof. It can be applied with a brush, pad, sprayer, or wiping cloth. No elaborate instructions are needed, good results are almost guaranteed, and mistakes are easily corrected. In spite of all the wonders of 21st century clear finish chemistry, there is still no other finish that enhances the depth and natural beauty of wood grain like shellac.Wood that has been finished with shellac looks soft and natural, not plastic-coated.The finish will not yellow or darken with age like polyurethanes, and its simple to maintain. Shellac is an alcohol-based solution of pure lac, a natural resin secreted by tiny insects on certain trees, mainly in India.It is available in clear and amber which dry to a transparent film.The clear has a faint, golden cast that is much lighter than oil-base finishes, while the amber has a warm, orange cast that gives a rich, antique-look to woodwork. Shellac brushes can be cleaned in all-purpose household detergents or household ammonia and warm water.