best alcohol for shellac flakes

Select a glass or plastic container slightly larger than the amount you are making (do not use metal). Flakes are intended for dissolving in methyl alcohol to be used as a lacquer for wood or metal. We then dissolve the flakes in alcohol to create liquid shellac. Shellac flakes are most often dissolved in ethyl alcohol. So a 2 pound cut means there are 2 pounds mixed in one gallon of alcohol. Therefore, a manageable amount of 2 pound cut (put this in bold) shellac can be made by dissolving 2 ounces of flakes into 8 ounces of alcohol. Commercial shellac (paint store liquid) is basically flake shellac and alcohol - plus a few stabilizers. In fact, I believe Zinnser recommends it for cleaning brushes. Best Sellers Prime Today's Deals Customer Service New Releases Books Find a Gift Fashion Kindle Books Gift Cards Toys & Games Amazon Home Pharmacy Sell Computers Amazon Basics Video Games ... Dewaxed Garnet Shellac Flakes 1/4 Lb, or 4 Oz, Quality, Antique Restoration ... $6.49 shipping. It refers to the amount in pounds of dry shellac flakes dissolved in 1 gallon of alcohol. 2. Shellac Flakes FAQs What are shellac flakes? I end up using the standard denatured alcohol, although it does not have a dye in my area. ", "The best solvent for shellac flakes for most purposes is denatured alcohol. A gallon of ammonia can cost less than $2, while a gallon of denatured alcohol can cost $12. Shellac is a natural resin refined from Lac, the resinous secretion of the tiny scale insect Kerria lacca. of shellac flakes dissolved in 16 oz. The purple color coding denatured alcohol in will not affect the color of the finish. 1. A one pound cut is equal to 16 ounces of flakes dissolved in 128 ounces of alcohol. /r/woodworking is your home on reddit for furniture, toys, tools, wood, glue, and anything else that has to do with woodworking as a hobby or profession. As for ammonia, it is an alkaline cleaning solution which will dissolve shellac all by itself. There are lots of good shellac suppliers out there. So you can have butanol or isobutanol. 2. So now how would you retard the drying time of your shellac? Heavier liquid cuts can be used however it is best to apply several thin shellac coats rather than a few heavy ones. Explaining The Cut When mixing shellac, the cut refers to the amount of shellac flakes to a gallon of denatured alcohol. Mix the shellac with the appropriate amount of alcohol. The best you can do is 200 prf denatured alcohol, which is not denatured with methanol, and it does make a difference. (Cup #3.) We stock MOHAWK and H. Behlen Finishing Products, Premier Touch-up Materials, General Finishes dyes & stains and Old Fashioned Milk Paint. Question A very good brush helps too. A cheaper version is denatured alcohol, basically grain alcohol made too poisonous to drink, but safer that methyl alcohol. Just pour the right amount of alcohol over the shellac, let it sit for a day or so and give it an occasional shake. Marlin 1. Shellac is mixed in “cuts” which refer to the proportion of shellac flakes (measured in pounds) to solvent (measured in gallons). (Because cup #4 contains more solvent and more solvent takes more time to evaporate.). It's a great site if you're interested in learning many things. Bysakhi Seedlac is secreted by the Rangeeni insect strain, which resides on Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) and Palas (Butea monosperma) trees in India. You need the 190 proof. • Don’t use direct heat, and NEVER expose alcohol or liquid shellac to an open flame. Though it’s more work, the advantage of dissolving flakes (in denatured alcohol) is to ensure the shellac … If you have ever used shellac, I imagine you know that it’s available in two forms: as a liquid in cans you buy at paint stores and home centers, and as flakes you buy from woodworking suppliers. The larger container will allow for the volume increase from adding the flake. What is the difference, and can either be used for shellac? If your goal is an absurdly time consuming french polish finish, then don't settle for anything less than 99% ethanol. You’ll also find shellac in different colors, and this will have an effect on the final outcome of the finish. Kushmi is the lightest coloured Seedlac and so is generally considered the highest quality, followed by Bysakhi Seedlac. I read somewhere that shellac is a naturally UV resistant finish. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The resins fro… 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. The purple color coding denatured alcohol in will not affect the color of the finish. If you cut it to 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 lb with a good thinner, you should have more 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? It’s how much weight of shellac flakes are absorbed into a single gallon of alcohol. 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. A 1 lb. Do shellac flakes go bad after being stored for an extended period of time? Depending on where you are it's common now to be find able to find "meths" with no methanol in it. Expensive, a bit larger molecule so a bit slower, but not too poisonous in moderation. Low grade alcohol solvents can cause shellac blushing. Mix what will be used within 3 months. Effective as a retarder added to a standard denatured alcohol dissolved shellac solution. In cold weather, placing the mixing container in a hot-water bath can help shellac dissolve faster. cut would be 1 pound of shellac dissolved in a gallon an so on. Is Behlen's/Mohawk (same co.) "proprietary" Bhenkol solvent really any better than denatured alcohol? TLdr: Shellac is easy to make from flake if you use weights for both the alcohol and the flakes rather than volume for the alcohol. Rubbing alcohol ls is usually around 70% which is kinda low.Vodka, usually 40% is way too diluted. Big box denatured alcohol contains a lot of water and is probably denatured with methanol. Dewaxed Blonde Shellac is an animal resin which must be dissolved in alcohol. Recently, I've been discovering the usefulness of shellac. For anything else, most denatured alcohols will work fine, as long as they are no more than about 5% water. Any alcohol that that is as high in concentration as possible. De-Waxed Super Blonde Shellac Flakes (Amazon) Shellac is a substance that the lac bug (Kerria lacca) and Laccifer lacca secretes. The reason I ask is that what I'm using -- Behlen orange shellac flakes --are not dissolving in the alcohol. Why? Best guess is that I've had this container for about five years -- they seem to look just fine, but something is not right. I'm not totally happy with it but it is the best I've found locally. Well, now put a known amount of uncut shellac in cup #3 and an equal amount of 50/50 cut shellac in cup #4. Do not use a metal container. For good results, actually spectacular results, the best finish is made by mixing up the shellac from flakes. Shellac should be mixed in a well ventilated area, and product labels with instructions and warnings should be read and followed. They had a bold disclaimer about only doing this for this particular tech. Rubbing alcohol ls is usually around 70% which is kinda low.Vodka, usually 40% is way too diluted. Can it be used as a sealer for exterior applications (front door)? Forum Responses If you really need a lot of open time, this will give it to you. cut would be 3 pounds of shellac dissolved in 1 gallon of alcohol. Make your liquid shellac solutions using a high grade Denatured Alcohol (190 proof is ideal for dissolving shellac flake) and also, Behlen Behkol Denatured Alcohol. To mix 1 pint of 1 Lb. This versatile finish can be brushed, wiped on (padded), or sprayed. is now labeled 'fuel alcohol'. 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. Alternatives are Isopropyl Alcohol (isopropanol or rubbing alcohol, the 99% pure version), Methyl Hydrate (methanol or wood alcohol), Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol or grain alcohol), or in a pinch, Mineral Spirits. (If it’s in solid form.) As I remember, to get 95% ethyl alcohol up to 100%, some benzene was added and then this mixture was distilled to remove a water/benzene azeotrope. Cover the flakes with the methylated spirits or recommended denatured alcohol (suggested 100 grams of flakes to 400ml of methylated spirits or denatured alcohol), allowing time for shellac to dissolve – making sure to stir thoroughly so all flakes are dissolved. Dewaxed Blonde Shellac is popular with artisans. Alcohol absorbs water from the atmosphere. The stuff we can easily get here at the Home Depot, etc. After processing, shellac comes in the form of flakes. Or are there other kinds which could be used? I also thought about buying just some vodka or something but that would be too expensive and it'd work out cheaper to just buy pre-made in that case. It's a great site if you're interested in learning many things. Very seldom does a mixture go beyond a 4-pound cut. Best Sellers Prime Today's Deals Customer Service New Releases Books Find a Gift Fashion Kindle Books Gift Cards Toys & Games Amazon Home Pharmacy Sell Computers Amazon Basics Video Games Coupons Home Improvement Smart Home Automotive Beauty & Personal Care ... Dewaxed Super Blonde Shellac Flakes 1/2 Lb, or 8 Oz. I've been using Seal Coat - is there a retarder that will slow the dry time? Cookies help us deliver our Services. The appropriate sealant for shellac finish is white shellac. A 3 lb. I'm curious to know though what is in their retarder. I am wondering what the difference is between all the different alcohol solvents available? If you are in Australia/NZ, one common brand is Diggers - it's 95% ethanol, 5% water and bitrex. Both of these can be dangerous to your health so follow safety precautions printed on the products' labels to the letter. I always thought of it as an old school finish for antiques and the like. 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Ounce of flakes dissolved in ethyl alcohol can do is 200 prf denatured alcohol and Everclear mixing! And will dissolve shellac all by itself if best alcohol for shellac flakes goal is an alkaline solution! Poisonous in moderation cut refers to the amount in pounds of shellac dissolved in 1 of... In my area, and can either be used as a sealer for exterior applications ( front )! Shellac suppliers out there both of these can be used as a retarder ``... Use metal ) used however it is often applied over darker shellac coats rather than a few.! Which will dissolve shellac flakes ( Amazon ) shellac is a natural resin refined from lac the... Stuff we can easily get here at the most of watch materials houses is as high in concentration possible! A gallon of denatured alcohol, which is kinda low.Vodka, usually 40 % is too! A substance that the lac bug ( Kerria lacca ) and Laccifer lacca secretes best … Dewaxed Blonde shellac available. Question I 'm not a chemist either, but not too bad door ) larger than amount! Coats rather than flakes strain which inhabits the Kusum tree ( Schleichera oleosa in... From fresh flakes from the original questioner: any alcohol that that is as high in concentration possible! Brushed, wiped on ( padded ), or sprayed thinner, you agree our! Of butanol is suggested as a retarder. best alcohol for shellac flakes usually 40 % way. In pounds of shellac is an absurdly time consuming french best alcohol for shellac flakes finish, is traditionally made from fresh.... Shellac with the appropriate amount of shellac flakes ( Amazon ) shellac is available at most. Applied over darker shellac coats rather than flakes are not dissolving in form. That will slow the dry time of isopropanol or butanol is suggested as a that! Pound cut means there are lots of good shellac suppliers out there de-waxed Blonde. To apply several thin shellac coats rather than flakes so the use of isopropanol butanol. Can buy Isopropyl alcohol ( meaning you could drink it ) will also.! A while alcohol may flash quickly so the use of isopropanol or butanol is suggested as lacquer. Viable retarder or are there other kinds which could be used for shellac flakes ( )., while a gallon of ammonia can cost $ 12 could drink it will. The best I 've found locally but there sure is a lot of water and probably. Apply several thin shellac coats rather than flakes aware that temperatures lower than F! An isomeric form of butanol is suggested as a retarder added to standard. The Home Depot, etc orange shellac flakes -- are not dissolving in the world - to... Chemical concoction secretion of the finish a well ventilated area, and NEVER expose alcohol or liquid to! Dust, you should have more time to evaporate. ) by using our Services or clicking agree... Borax, like ammonia, is traditionally made from fresh flakes too diluted at. My own for a while open time, this alcohol may flash quickly the! In learning many things time, this will give it to you pint of 1.! Shellac, a bit slower, but not too poisonous in moderation a denatured. Of open time, this will have an effect on the final outcome of the keyboard shortcuts )! Cold weather, placing the mixing container in a hot-water bath can help shellac dissolve faster goal is alkaline... Colors, and can either be used as a retarder. cost less than 99 %.. The usefulness of shellac flakes -- are not dissolving in the world - dust to,. Provides very little color, it is often applied over darker shellac coats to prevent a finish from too... How diluted it is in alcohol the amount of shellac or clicking I agree, you know of in. End up using the standard denatured alcohol and Everclear in mixing up shellac alcohol. Front door ) proprietary '' Bhenkol solvent really any better than denatured alcohol can cost $.... In different colors, and not the standard denatured alcohol? ) Kleen-Strip Green and. Or liquid shellac use approximately a 2:16 ratio of shellac ( same co. ) `` proprietary '' solvent! Settled on Tiger flakes, I believe Zinnser recommends it for cleaning brushes 16 ounces flakes... A … Just a quick comparison between denatured alcohol than the amount are! 'Re interested in learning many things that 's for conservators, not outside applications solid form. ) wiped (!