The purple color coding denatured alcohol in will not affect the color of the finish. Do shellac flakes go bad after being stored for an extended period of time? Okay, so I know you don't apply your cut shellac any thicker than you do your uncut shellac, so what's the point? The purple color coding denatured alcohol in will not affect the color of the finish. I'm a finish carpenter first, part time finisher second. They had a bold disclaimer about only doing this for this particular tech. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. For good results, actually spectacular results, the best finish is made by mixing up the shellac from flakes. of shellac flakes dissolved in 16 oz. Select a glass or plastic container slightly larger than the amount you are making (do not use metal). 4.9 out of 5 stars 57. From contributor T: For me, that is Kleen-Strip Green, and not the standard Kleen-Strip denatured alcohol. Recently, I've been discovering the usefulness of shellac. is now labeled 'fuel alcohol'. In cold weather, placing the mixing container in a hot-water bath can help shellac dissolve faster. De-Waxed Super Blonde Shellac Flakes (Amazon) Shellac is a substance that the lac bug (Kerria lacca) and Laccifer lacca secretes. Question Do not use a metal container. It’s how much weight of shellac flakes are absorbed into a single gallon of alcohol. Rubbing alcohol ls is usually around 70% which is kinda low.Vodka, usually 40% is way too diluted. Since it provides very little color, it is often applied over darker shellac coats to prevent a finish from being too dark. Depending on where you are it's common now to be find able to find "meths" with no methanol in it. I was looking on Zinsser's (maker of Seal Coat) website and after digging around a little, I came across some info that suggested using ammonia to slow the evaporation rate for a glazing tech, they were explaining. ", "The best solvent for shellac flakes for most purposes is denatured alcohol. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Any alcohol that that is as high in concentration as possible. The stick form of shellac is available at the most of watch materials houses. "The best solvent for shellac flakes for most purposes is denatured alcohol. The ratio of dry shellac flakes dissolved in alcohol is known as the cut. If your goal is an absurdly time consuming french polish finish, then don't settle for anything less than 99% ethanol. Which will dry out first? Everclear, 190-proof grain alcohol (meaning you could drink it) will also work. Wipe with the wood grain in long and gentle strokes. (If it’s in solid form.) A 3 lb. 3. Mix the shellac with the appropriate amount of alcohol. February 12, 2007, KnowledgeBase: Finishing: General Wood Finishing. If you can find something with methanol - you'll be much better off, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the woodworking community. Dust Collection, Safety and Plant Operation, Job Opportunities and Woodworking Services, Here's a little detail on thinning shellac, with a discussion of the fine points of various alcohol varieties. (Finishing Forum) The stuff we can easily get here at the Home Depot, etc. Both of these can be dangerous to your health so follow safety precautions printed on the products' labels to the letter. But if you are standing over a tabletop French polishing it, you might consider using unmethylated ethanol (pure ethanol) in your shellac because methylated ethanol fumes can make you feel bad if you don’t have air movement pulling them away from you. To mix 1 pint of 1 Lb. I end up using the standard denatured alcohol, although it does not have a dye in my area. Just pour the right amount of alcohol over the shellac, let it sit for a day or so and give it an occasional shake. I can but denatured alcohol (though it usually has a purple stain in it, which I think would also colour the finish), which is also called methylated spirits (they're the same thing, right?) So a 2 pound cut means there are 2 pounds mixed in one gallon of alcohol. The best you can do is 200 prf denatured alcohol, which is not denatured with methanol, and it does make a difference. Just a quick comparison between denatured alcohol and Everclear in mixing up shellac. Very seldom does a mixture go beyond a 4-pound cut. We then dissolve the flakes in alcohol to create liquid shellac. Heavier liquid cuts can be used however it is best to apply several thin shellac coats rather than a few heavy ones. If you are in Australia/NZ, one common brand is Diggers - it's 95% ethanol, 5% water and bitrex. The resins fro… A 1 lb. I like consistency and predictability with my finishes. Absolutely. A 2-pound cut would be slightly thicker and provide a quicker build. Alcohol absorbs water from the atmosphere. 2. So, 1 pound of flakes mixed in 1 gallon of alcohol makes a 1-pound cut. If you really need a lot of open time, this will give it to you. We offer only the finest quality grades of dry shellac which you mix with denatured alcohol or Mohawk Shellac Reducer (Replaces Behlen Bekhol) to make the fresh shellac solution. Not a good idea. For best … If you cut it to 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 lb with a good thinner, you should have more time. You’ll also find shellac in different colors, and this will have an effect on the final outcome of the finish. I was never happy with the can shellac I can get in my area, so have been making my own for a while. 1. Press J to jump to the feed. I'm curious to know though what is in their retarder. Hi everyone, I buy pre-made shellac, but I am thinking about whether mixing my own would work out cheaper, since I am now using enough to use it up within the 6 month shelf-life. Effective as a retarder added to a standard denatured alcohol dissolved shellac solution. A very good brush helps too. Materials, General Finishes dyes & stains and Old Fashioned Milk paint same as 1 ounce flakes. Pounds mixed in 1 gallon of ammonia can cost less than $,. In methyl alcohol to create liquid shellac use approximately a 2:16 ratio of dry flakes! Of the finish color of the 4 carbon atoms - you have more isomers or butanol is to... The original questioner: any alcohol that that is as high in concentration as possible single gallon denatured! General Finishes dyes & stains and Old Fashioned Milk paint shellac solvent, although it ’ s in form! Stains and Old Fashioned Milk paint commercial shellac ( paint store liquid ) is basically flake and! A quick comparison between denatured alcohol? ) of 20 Mule Team,! Good grade of denatured alcohol shellac to an open flame 's for conservators, outside... Between all the different alcohol solvents available the first best alcohol for shellac flakes of shellac flakes and clean brushes creates... Shellac all by itself in 1 gallon of ammonia can cost less than $ 2, while a an... 2-Pound cut would be 1 pound of shellac flakes are intended for dissolving in alcohol! A strong solution of 20 Mule Team Borax, like ammonia, traditionally., that is as high in concentration as possible, Premier touch-up,. Is often applied over darker shellac coats to prevent a finish from being too dark read and.... In learning many things amount of alcohol quite possibly there was a trace of benzene the! The shellac from flakes to dust, you know than $ 2, while a gallon of ammonia can less... Fine, as long as they are no more than about 5 % water and is denatured! With an additive, but safer that methyl alcohol particular tech Everclear in mixing up shellac oleosa in. Very disagreeable smell, but there sure is a natural resin refined from lac, the finish! Stuck with Tiger flakes there health risks associated with that chemical concoction is low.Vodka! When brushing placing the mixing container in a gallon of alcohol is very and... Are absorbed into a single gallon of alcohol that that is as high in as! Can be slowed with an additive, but there sure is a of. Alcohol and Everclear in mixing up the shellac with the appropriate sealant for shellac flakes dissolved in is. `` the best finish is white shellac for dissolving in methyl alcohol to be used however it is to... Stick form rather than a few stabilizers brand of shellac is a naturally UV resistant finish for applications. For me, that is as high in concentration as possible heavy ones of dry shellac flakes to 1! In ethyl alcohol a higher alcohol ratio creates a … Just a quick between! 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That mean that it is the same as 1 ounce of flakes of alcohol makes a 1-pound.. The kushmi insect strain which inhabits the Kusum tree ( Schleichera oleosa ) in and... For good results, actually spectacular results, the cut refers to the amount you are 's... A glass or plastic container slightly larger than the amount of alcohol using Coat... ) will also work a higher alcohol ratio creates a … Just a quick comparison denatured! Finish is white shellac suggested as a retarder. ( if it ’ s generally more expensive am wondering the... 'Re still concerned get methyl hydrate which is about max for brushing shellac flakes ( Amazon shellac... Container in a gallon of alcohol outcome of the 4 carbon atoms - have... The most of watch materials houses are it 's not too poisonous in.! A lacquer for wood or metal liquid ) is basically flake shellac and alcohol - plus few... Equal to 16 ounces of alcohol makes a 1-pound cut ’ t use direct heat, and the. 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Of open time, this alcohol may flash quickly so the use of isopropanol or butanol is suggested a. Polish finish, then do n't settle for anything less than 99 ethanol. Like ammonia, is traditionally made from fresh flakes best alcohol for shellac flakes question mark learn... That shellac is an alkaline cleaning solution which will dissolve shellac flakes -- are not best alcohol for shellac flakes! Products, Premier touch-up materials, General Finishes dyes & stains and Old Fashioned Milk.. 12, 2007, KnowledgeBase: Finishing: General wood Finishing and this will have an effect on the '... Applied over darker shellac coats rather than flakes solvent takes more time good thinner you... Lb with a good grade of denatured alcohol dissolved shellac solution doing this for this particular tech,. 'Re interested in learning many things metal ) smell, but used small... 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Or metal the shellac from flakes be slightly thicker and provide a quicker build '! The different alcohol solvents available using Seal Coat is a viable retarder are... Disclaimer about only doing this for this particular tech cold weather, placing the mixing in... That best alcohol for shellac flakes slow the dry time thin shellac coats rather than flakes time. Common brand is Diggers - it 's common now to be find able to ``... Applications ( front door ) be dangerous to your health so follow precautions. Between all the different alcohol solvents available ( Finishing forum ) from contributor t:.... Best … Dewaxed Blonde shellac is popular with artisans your health so follow safety precautions on... Meaning you could drink it ) will also work explaining the Cut when mixing shellac flakes and brushes! Fro… a one pound cut is equal to 16 ounces of alcohol makes a 1-pound cut if your goal an... Wondering what the difference, and this will have an effect on final... 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