This article is an excerpt from Joe L'Erario's book Wood Finishing Simplified.  Using products from your local home building center, author Joe L'Erario teaches you about the various types of stains and finishes on the market, how they differ from one another, and how to choose the right one every time. In easy-to-follow language and step-by-step color photos, he explains how you can produce a beautiful stain color and a high quality finish for all of your wood projects. Save yourself time and eliminate frustration by mastering a subject every beginning to advanced woodworker should know.      See inside this Book

Shellac and wax is probably the most basic of all finishes. Little time, little effort, nice effect. Keep in mind most of your effort should go into the preparation of the wood — making the wood as smooth as possible through sanding — otherwise, it’s like brushing varnish on the trunk of a tree with the hope of achieving a smooth finish. (You thought I was going to say trunk of an elephant didn’t you? Which, theoretically would have to be sanded as well and I don’t think the elephant would like that.)

The paneling and crown moulding you see in the pictures are pine. Both were bought from the home center, installed and sanded to 400-grit sandpaper.

The photo above is step one. After brushing the dust from the wood I applied a spit (a thin sealer) coat of orange shellac.

Materials Required:
- Amber (orange) or clear (white) Shellac
- Denatured alcohol
- Bristle Brush
- Glass or plastic container
- 320-grit silicon carbide paper
- Paste wax
- Paper towels

For more simple finishing tips from Joe L'Erario, take a look at his book, Wood Finishing Simplified.