Shellac finishes, dewaxed shellac sealer, and shellac-based primers from Zinsser. This page groups every shellac product we list: Bulls Eye Shellac Clear and Amber (quart and gallon), Bulls Eye Shellac Spray (12 oz clear), Bulls Eye SealCoat Universal Sanding Sealer (quart and gallon), B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer (quart, gallon and 13 oz spray), and B-I-N Advanced Synthetic Shellac Primer (quart and gallon).
Pick by the job. Bulls Eye Shellac is a clear or amber finish and sealer for interior wood. SealCoat is 100% dewaxed shellac, the one to use under polyurethane or as a pre-stain sealer. B-I-N is a white primer that blocks stains and odors before paint; original B-I-N is alcohol based, and B-I-N Advanced is a water-based synthetic shellac with soap and water cleanup.
Compare shellac products
| Product |
Best for (maker) |
Sizes here |
Key facts (maker sheet) |
|
Bulls Eye Shellac (Clear, Amber) |
Natural looking finish and sealer for interior wood: doors, trim, cabinets, furniture |
Clear quart, gallon. Amber quart, gallon
|
Zinsser TDS BEY-06: touch 30 min, recoat in under 1 hr, full cure 24 hr; about 100 to 150 sq ft per quart; do not thin; apply several light coats and sand with 220 grit or finer between coats; not recommended as a sealer under polyurethane (use SealCoat) |
| Bulls Eye Shellac Spray |
Small interior wood projects and touch-ups |
12 oz clear aerosol |
Zinsser TDS BEY-06: about 8 to 10 sq ft per can; touch 30 min, recoat 1 hr, full cure 24 hr |
| Bulls Eye SealCoat Universal Sanding Sealer |
Undercoat for new or finished interior wood, pre-stain sealer and wood conditioner |
Quart, gallon
|
Zinsser TDS BEY-07: 100% dewaxed shellac; compatible with all clear finishes, including oil-based and water-based polyurethane, lacquer and shellac; first coat touch 5 to 10 min, sand or recoat in 20 to 45 min; about 400 to 600 sq ft per gallon; interior only; clean up with alcohol or ammonia and water |
| B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer |
Interior primer-sealer and stain and odor blocker for walls, ceilings, trim, cabinets and furniture; exterior spot priming only |
Quart, gallon, 13 oz spray
|
Zinsser TDS BIN-03 (rev 11/30/22): shellac base, denatured alcohol solvent; touch 20 min, recoat 45 min, full adhesion and hardness in 1 to 3 days; about 500 sq ft per gallon; apply at 0 to 90 F and below 70% humidity; do not thin; sticks to glossy surfaces without scuff sanding; VOC max 550 g/L; not for floors, decks or whole exterior surfaces |
| B-I-N Advanced Synthetic Shellac Primer |
Whole-surface interior priming and exterior spot priming over stains, knots and odors, with low odor |
Quart, gallon
|
Zinsser TDS BIN-01: water-based synthetic shellac; touch 25 min, recoat 45 min, 2 hr over knots and stains, full hardness 7 days; about 300 to 400 sq ft per gallon; apply at 50 to 90 F; thin with up to 10 oz water per gallon if needed; VOC under 100 g/L; warm soap and water cleanup |
Shop related: Zinsser, primers and sealers, polyurethane for wood, protective finishes and topcoats, and cabinet refinishing. Free standard shipping on orders of $75 or more.
FAQ
Is Zinsser B-I-N primer oil-based?
No. Original B-I-N is a shellac-based primer with denatured alcohol as the solvent, so it is neither oil nor latex. Zinsser says to clean up with denatured alcohol or ammoniated detergent (acetone or 99% isopropyl alcohol for spills). B-I-N Advanced is a water-based synthetic shellac that cleans up with warm soap and water. If you want an oil-based stain blocker, Zinsser makes Cover-Stain.
How long does B-I-N take to dry before painting?
Original B-I-N dries to the touch in 20 minutes and can be recoated in 45 minutes at 70 F and 50% humidity, with full adhesion and hardness in 1 to 3 days. B-I-N Advanced is touch dry in 25 minutes and recoatable in 45 minutes, but Zinsser says to allow 2 hours over knots and stains, and it reaches full hardness in 7 days.
Can I put polyurethane over shellac?
Use SealCoat for that. Zinsser says Bulls Eye Shellac is not recommended as a sealer under polyurethane, while SealCoat is 100% dewaxed and compatible with oil-based and water-based polyurethane, lacquer and shellac.
What is dewaxed shellac?
Shellac with the natural wax removed. Zinsser's dewaxed product is Bulls Eye SealCoat, which the maker rates as a sanding sealer, a pre-stain sealer and a wood conditioner for interior wood.
Clear or amber shellac?
Clear gives a natural look. Amber adds a warm amber tone to the wood. Both come in quart and gallon here; the spray is clear only.
Can I use B-I-N outdoors?
Only for spot priming. Zinsser limits both B-I-N lines to exterior spot priming of knots and sap streaks and says not to use them on floors, decks, whole exterior surfaces, or anything under water or in prolonged contact with it.
How much shellac or primer do I need?
Maker coverage: Bulls Eye Shellac about 100 to 150 sq ft per quart, the shellac spray about 8 to 10 sq ft per can, SealCoat about 400 to 600 sq ft per gallon, original B-I-N about 500 sq ft per gallon, and B-I-N Advanced about 300 to 400 sq ft per gallon. Very porous surfaces may need a second coat of primer.
