Shellac is a strong sealer that doesn’t require any topcoat finish with polyurethane. … Dewaxed shellac is compatible with water-based finishes like polyurethane. To add, it is often used as an “adapter” layer and can go over, or under, water or oil-based poly.

Can polyurethane be put over shellac?

Simply put, shellac covers all. Working the other direction or when you apply other topcoats over shellac, it is often noted that you should not apply polyurethane over shellac. … It is, however, OK to use an oil-based urethane over shellac.

What do you put on top of shellac?

The General Finishes products are mostly varnish, if not all varnish (Arm-R-Seal). So what you are really looking for is a simple wipe-on varnish to put over top of the shellac. Minwax sells a decent one that is widely available. A few light coats should do the trick.