Mahogany Comb-back

Plus, how I finish mahogany.

I just completed this mahogany comb-back, which I finished with blond shellac and black wax. I’m offering it up for sale on my blog. (If you are interested, you can get details here.)

This finish is one that I developed for my book “Campaign Furniture.” It’s easy to do and makes the mahogany look just a little lived in. Here are the details.

First Shellac

I make my own shellac using pure grain alcohol (190 proof). We can buy the stuff in liquor stores in Kentucky. If you can’t get it at the store, try buying food-grade ethanol, which is available from laboratory supply stores. Get a gallon.

I use Super Blond Tiger Flakes from Tools for Working Wood. This is excellent stuff with zero bug parts to strain out. Order 1/2 pound of flakes.

I make a half-pound cut of shellac, which lays out nicely and doesn’t create a thick film. That means one-half pound of flakes to one gallon of alcohol. I mix it up using a magnetic stirrer. This cheap device makes short work of mixing finishes, especially she…