re: TWP Stain on cypress

you could also just use a pre-stain conditioner. Same concept I'm sure as the thinned shelac. Except it's specifically designed for it. limits stain abosrbtion so that area that typically "over-absorb" don't and everything comes out more even. I've had good results. Seems to me that if you don't get the shellac mixture right, you might put a seal coat over the wood. I use Shellac on my workbench to protect it from paints/stains/wood glue/etc..

I admit I'm not an expert though.