Mixing shellac - Woodworking Talk

skoot · 10-21-2009, 01:44 PM

I mixed up a 2 lb cut of shellac last night- 8 oz. shellac with a quart of denatured alcohol. I stirred for a while, but the flakes didn't dissolve immediately. This morning there is a thick sludge on the bottom, but most of the flakes have dissolved. Should I let it sit and keep working on it's own, or try to stir up the sludge?

Brian_Hinther · 10-21-2009, 11:24 PM

Stir up the sludge, let it settle, and stir up again. Repeat as necessary. I usually allow 24 hours for everything to dissolve, then strain out any remaining sediment and let 'er buck!

skoot · 10-22-2009, 12:58 AM

Thanks, that's what I was thinking.

rrich · 10-22-2009, 01:32 AM

I have to ask...

What is the advantage of mixing your own shellac from flakes?

I usually buy it made and thin as needed. The can rarely goes bad if the rim of the can is clean and the top is secured properly.

Julian the woodnut · 10-22-2009, 10:34 AM

Some people prefer to mix their own so they know exactly whats going into it, and they know it's fresh. I know that their is supposed to be a shelf life of mixed shellac even though I myself have used zinnser that was a few years old without a problem. To each his own I guess.

skoot · 10-22-2009, 10:57 AM

In my case I couldn't find the color I wanted in pre-mix. Also, I can mix up just what I need- shellac has a shelf life of about six months. Pre-mix shellac contains wax too, and again I'd rather choose the color of wax myself.