hi shellac is very expensive spoils quick and I don't use much, mostly to protect the wood when using CA glue on my turnings. Question can I use shellac flakes and denatured alchohol so I can reduce the recicpie to about a pint or less thanks
Shellac
- Thread starter Karda
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YES. It flows better and not as syrupy. However, you lessen the concentration (shellac), the more layers you have to apply to have better protection. It is a soft clear finish. The more layer coats you apply the higher the sheen gets.
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- #3
ok thanks
Shellac.net is one place I've used as a source.
Depending on how you use it, can mix up what ever concentration (cut) you want. Here is a table showing the volume/weights for different amounts of mixes.
www.finewoodworking.com
Depending on how you use it, can mix up what ever concentration (cut) you want. Here is a table showing the volume/weights for different amounts of mixes.
Workshop Tip: Shellac conversion tables give ratios for small amounts - FineWoodworking
If you mix your own shellac, it can be difficult to determine how much denatured alcohol to add. These tables give you perfect shellac measurements.
www.finewoodworking.com
can you make it instead w isopropyl alcohol?
No, isopropyl has too much water.
I’ve never tried it, but is it true you can use everclear?
It is done by lots of people.
That's what I use for french polishing my 3rd guitar body and top. Wiped on 5 or 6 heavy coats, wiping to even it out and letting them dry thoroughly inbetween applications. Then start using a lighter mix - more alcohol, less shellac, and use light strokes until the pad starts to dry, then apply more and more pressure until the pad slides across the dry shellac with no sticking or grabbing. Essentially, you're building a thick layer of shellac and then polishing the shellac - similar to spit shinning boots.
Yes, you can as long as you use isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and not its mixture with water.
In fact, I made my shellac solution in IPA sometimes when I ran out of ethanol or when I don’t want solution to evaporate too fast.
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- #11
thanks for the information I copyed the table that will be a great help
Just remember that alcohol will melt shellac. So if you let an application pad stop in one place or if you drip or splatter some while you're finishing, it'll leave a mark in your finish. The good news is alcohol melts shellac - so if you do get a blemish, it's a simple matter of rubbing on a little more shellac and wiping it to a smooth finish as it dries.
It is in parallel with using nitrocellulose finish as far as touch up and repair as it reacts the same way.
But make SURE you use de waxed shellac flakes. Regular shellac doesn't coat oily woods well at all. Of course if you first put on a layer or two of CA then it probably doesn't matter, but I think it's better to have the de waxed in case you need/want it that way.
I bought pure isopropyl. No water.
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- #16
ok thanks
Great point Paul. I forgot to mention that too.
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- #18
ok thanks