Thread: Shellac Flakes

Try this little old website .....
Some Finishing Guy
You should find your answers there. I have also heard a rumor that he has released a book but I have yet to get one .... hoping for a signed copy at the Melbourne WWWS.

Stinky.

Originally posted by Sir Stinkalot
Try this little old website .....
Some Finishing Guy
You should find your answers there. I have also heard a rumor that he has released a book but I have yet to get one .... hoping for a signed copy at the Melbourne WWWS.

Stinky.

I live in the U.S.

Is there an international place?

I always thought that the web was international.
If you click on the link you will be directed the U-Beaut polishes home page which if you click onto shellac it will tell you most of what you need.

Mkchoiboy,
Given that you are in the States, here are some figures which may help you.
Shellac Flakes are mixed with Alcohol ( Called Methylated Spirits in Australia) in a ratio called a Cut

A 2 lb cut would be 2lb of Shellac flakes in one gallon of Alcohol
A 5 lb cut would be 5 lb of Shellac flakes in one gallon of Alcohol

For finishing work, the lighter ratio ie the 2 lb cut would be best

I use 200gm of shellac in one litre of Metho - a ratio very close to a 2lb cut

mick

Hi guys
Have any of you found that when you mix the flakes with metho, that after a while, maybe the next day or so, there is a glug on the bottom of the container?
Someone told me its water in the metho, is this correct?
Cheers, Allan

Being an avid guitar player myself, would shellac be durable enough for constant touch of fingers and strings?

Allan,
"glug" in the bottom of your container is most likely to be undissolved flakes. A warm environment when dissolving the flakes is a good ploy. I put my mix near, but not too close to a heater ( one of those convection ?? type), strir frequently, and put it thro' a stocking filter after I think the flakes have dissolved. Not adverse to putting the container again near the heater before use.

As to using it on a guitar neck, I would have thought that the natural oils in hands / fingers, would over time, enhance the finish. If you scratch the neck wit a fingernail, or plectrum, a touch up with French polish is no big deal

mick

Originally posted by Mick4412


As to using it on a guitar neck, I would have thought that the natural oils in hands / fingers, would over time, enhance the finish. If you scratch the neck wit a fingernail, or plectrum, a touch up with French polish is no big deal

mick

A guitar neck needs a hard finish to keep oil and moisture out of the timber so it won't warp, at around 2 foot long and less than 1 inch thick + the pressure of the strings it needs all the help it can get.

Guitar necks are not an area of my expertise, atho', albeit poorly, I do play one
However, if there is a suggestion that an application of shellac will weaken the neck's strength, I am amazed.
Shellac is a finish. The neck of the guitar's strength lies in the material used. No matter what finish you put on it, some natuarl oil will be imparted
mick

I agree with Tatts, and would have recommended a high gloss two pack.

But I appreciate the extended knowledge of Shellac thanks Mick.