Where to buy shellac flakes

[newood2]

Where do you guys buy shellac flakes? What name brand solvent do you use to desolve it?
Is Zinsser Bull's Eye clear dewaxed shellac sold at Lowes just as good?
Howie

[LCHIEN]

I've seen them at Rocklers. Don't you just normally use denatured alcohol as the solvent?

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...filter=shellac

[drumpriest]

Yeah, Rockler has them, and denatured alcohol is the solvent. The reason to make your own is that you control the cut, which is the ratio of shellac to solvent. What are you going to be doing with the Shellac? That will determine about what ratio you need, and then you can tell if Zinsser is ok or you will want to make your own.

I think they have the equiv of a 2lb cut and a 3lb cut under slightly different labels. I've moved to a water based shellac since starting to spray water "lacquer".

[Uncle Cracker]

I have gotten shellac flakes at my local Woodcraft store.

[docrowan]

Never used it, but I've been interested in shellac as well. I've read that the predissolved shellac can "go bad" after about a year. The flakes have a much longer shelf life. Not sure what happens to shellac dissolved in alcohol after a year - does it not adhere anymore or something?

I had considered using shellac between oil based stain and Minwax water based Polycrylic, but I've checked the labels and it appears it's not necessary. I've gotten good life out of this finish I used on a pair of bookshelf/end tables that I built 6 years ago.

Newood, if you don't mind me asking, what do you plan on using the shellac for?

[jziegler]

Rockler, Woodcraft, and Lee Valley all carry shellac flakes. Denatured alcohol is the solvent.

I have used the Bull's Eye shellac (another I used the amber, not clear, I wanted the extra color) and it works fine is fresh. It generally will need to be thinned a bit to get the recommend cut for most applications. Check the date code on what you buy, it's good for about a year after dissolved, and it can be old at some of the stores. I don't think that HD and Lowes go through too much of it.

Jim

[cabinetman]

Never used it, but I've been interested in shellac as well. I've read that the predissolved shellac can "go bad" after about a year. The flakes have a much longer shelf life. Not sure what happens to shellac dissolved in alcohol after a year - does it not adhere anymore or something?

I had considered using shellac between oil based stain and Minwax water based Polycrylic, but I've checked the labels and it appears it's not necessary. I've gotten good life out of this finish I used on a pair of bookshelf/end tables that I built 6 years ago.

Old shellac just won't dry. Test what you have if it's gettin' close and see if it dries within 15 - 20 minutes. If not, pitch it to the round file.

Polycrilic can be applied over oil based stain if dry with no problems.
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