How can I make shellac POP?

Let it cure for a month or so. Then it will be hard and you can rub
it out to whatever sort of sheen you want.

“Pop” is usually something you get with the first coat that brings out
latent colors in the wood… getting the “wet” look or whatever. Final
rubbing out with abrasives like steel wool, pumice and rottenstone
gets you the level of consistent gloss you are after. Shellac when it
is cured hard can be rubbed out to a lacquer like high gloss and of
course it has a nice transparency that is more glass-like than poly type
finishes.

Listen to Loren, and congrats on using a classic finish. Also, an auto body polishing compound will work.
Bill

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