val949•22d ago

Mixed some leftover shellac with a bit of boiled linseed oil on a whim

Three years ago in my garage shop, I brushed it on a test piece and it created this wild, streaky finish that my wife called 'modern art vomit'. Has anyone else accidentally invented a terrible finish they're weirdly proud of?

3 comments

3 Comments

ward.jamie22d ago

My old shop teacher swore shellac and oil never mixed. That test piece is still on my shelf, honestly. Kinda grew on me.

the_eric14d ago

Look at that test piece still sitting there after all this time. Makes me wonder if we get too hung up on these hard rules in woodworking. Like, sure, maybe they don't mix perfectly on a chemical level, but if it dries and doesn't fall apart, who cares? Sometimes a weird finish just becomes part of the piece's story. Your shop teacher might have had a point for a perfect finish, but most of my projects just need to look okay and hold up.

cole99422d ago

Always thought that combo was junk science until I saw your post. Might have to ruin some scrap wood myself.