Shellac, tell me all you know!

[Glennet]

The Taunton press also produce a Jeff Jewitt DVD "Hand Applied Finishes" where he demonstrates French polishing. I haven't tried his method, it looks great, but time consuming.
I'd have thought the DVD is worth getting, I don't know how you could explain it properly in writing. I've got a few of the Taunton DVD's and they are all good. They take a long time to arrive if you order them from the USA, and only play on a region free DVD player.

[Sebastiaan56]

So back to Shellac, hints and tips of applying it.

Sebastian, What is 'chatoyance'? Any chance some photos of your work might help demonstrate this for me? I'm very intrigued with your idea of using different shellacs for, what was it, different tonings?



Mixed Shellac containers - I prefer to use a glass jar with a lid size that I can fit my fist through. Preferably a short, squat jar so that I only mix the amount of shellac needed for the job and a bit more.

cheers
Wendy

Wendy, I cant lie, I picked the term up off the forum, off a liguistically erudite Skew. Im in a conference so I'll post when I get back to BM's. I also posted straight after applying the finish and havent seen the pieces for a few days.

[RufflyRustic]

Thanks Sebastian! Oh, and thanks Skew

[Groggy]

chatoyant
/shuh'toyuhnt/.
adjective
1. changing in lustre or colour.
2. Jewellery reflecting a single streak of light when cut in a cabochon.
[French, present participle of chatoyer change lustre like a cat's eye, from chat cat]


In woodworking it is often used in relation to a peculiar finishing problem. Sometimes an item that is matched and finished in artificial light will look completely different in natural light, and vice versa. It happens occasionally that a piece is made and finished to match another piece, but, when finally put together, the pieces do not match at all.

[Offcut71]

Hi everyone, first time post here...

Is shellac available clear or just coloured? I'm making a jewellery box from myrtle and huon pine and the shellac has made the huon much more honeyed coloured than I originally wanted... I've started with the tray so I can still back away from the shellac if I decide it's not the look I want.

Will the 15 or so coats of shellac darken the colour much further or will it remain similar to the first coat? I know multiple coats of stain will darken (obviously), kind of hoping this won't get darker but expecting that it will...

Cheers,

Pete

[RufflyRustic]

Dewaxed shellac or White Shellac is what you are looking for.

cheers
Wendy

[Sebastiaan56]

Hi Wendy,

After a week there is no difference between the two pieces apart from colour, maybe a trick of the light or overtired eyes? wishful thinking?

Sebastiaan

[RufflyRustic]

Wierd! I will have to remember this and see if I can play around with some different brands of shellac at some stage, just for fun.

thanks Sebastiaan

Cheers
Wendy

[Jon G]

Hopefully I am not stirring up a hornets nest, but I see that you guys all seem to mix Shellac flakes with metho.

I have been taught to use a 90% alcohol 10% shellac solution, called Shellac Finish, with the flakes, as this apparently gives a deeper finish, whereas "metho can leave it a bit cloudy".

As I have only used this method once so far and never with metho, I would be grateful if you guys can give me your opinions on this.

[jerryc]

Jon G

As an ex pom I vaguely remember that UK meth had a blue dye mixed with it. Is that the case? If so then the dye would certainly cloud the finish. Here meth is clear, although the addition of water with the cheaper meth could affect the clarity of the finish. It's not a pun but I am asking for clarification of this dye point. I'm dying to know the answer ( terrible pun).

Jerry

Everyone is entitled to my opinion.

[Sebastiaan56]

Hopefully I am not stirring up a hornets nest, but I see that you guys all seem to mix Shellac flakes with metho.

I have been taught to use a 90% alcohol 10% shellac solution, called Shellac Finish, with the flakes, as this apparently gives a deeper finish, whereas "metho can leave it a bit cloudy".

As I have only used this method once so far and never with metho, I would be grateful if you guys can give me your opinions on this.

Metho here in Aus contains 5% water, I use "Industrial Metholated Spirits" which is <1% water and recommended by the gurus. Water in the solution can lead to cloudiness. Different dilutions are used at different stages, start with a lower cut finish with a high cut.

Of course if you are drinking it you can mix to taste,

[rsser]

It's amazing to see for example how a usually dull wood like Blackwood will with a Shellac or Oil finish 'pop', ie. show chatoyance or iridescence. It's a quality of reflecting the light differently as it falls from different angles making the surface look three-dimensional.

btw, I have a p/c of a very old book on French Polishing and it seems way back when they mixed various gums into the mix, eg. benzoin. Wonder if they added hardness or elasticity to the finish.

[Jon G]

Metho over here can have a dye in it, can't remember if it is blue or purple, but I believe my tutor was meaning the clear version.

Everywhere I look over here seems to sell Metho to mix with Shellac flakes, except for Mylands, who sell the mysterious Shellac Finish.

[MacS]

A small amount of dye is added to many solvents, this is done so they can tell which solvent it is by the color of the dye. A common chemical practice used in different solvents.

The amount is so small, you will not see it in the clear coats.

[Jon G]

Metho here in Aus contains 5% water, I use "Industrial Metholated Spirits" which is <1% water and recommended by the gurus. Water in the solution can lead to cloudiness. Different dilutions are used at different stages, start with a lower cut finish with a high cut.

Of course if you are drinking it you can mix to taste,

Thanks Sebastiaan56, I will see if I can find similar here and do a comparison to alcohol.