How do I best prep my old light oak dining set with a shellac on it?

Hi Mary,

I have a similar project in my future, and I gather that the best way to begin is with a good cleaning with a product called TSP and then a good sanding with a medium sandpaper. Hopefully other Hometalkers will chime in if there is a better way to deal specifically with shellac.

Hi Mary,

First you need to remove the shellac - click here for some methods. Then lightly sand the table and wipe it clean with a tack cloth. With all of the shellac gone, you can now stain or paint the table. Wishing you the best.

If you are planning to paint it you could use chalk paint? That way you all you need to do is give it a good clean? Absolute best chalk paint is Rust Oleum 😃

If you are planning to paint it you could use chalk paint? That way you all you need to do is give it a good clean? Absolute best chalk paint is Rust Oleum 😃

If you are planning to paint it you could use chalk paint? That way you all you need to do is give it a good clean? Absolute best chalk paint is Rust Oleum 😃

If you are planning to paint it you could use chalk paint? That way you all you need to do is give it a good clean? Absolute best chalk paint is Rust Oleum 😃

If you are planning to paint it you could use chalk paint? That way you all you need to do is give it a good clean? Absolute best chalk paint is Rust Oleum 😃

If you are planning to paint it you could use chalk paint? That way you all you need to do is give it a good clean? Absolute best chalk paint is Rust Oleum 😃

If you are planning to paint it you could use chalk paint? That way you all you need to do is give it a good clean? Absolute best chalk paint is Rust Oleum 😃

Sand it down to remove the shellac.