The remaining 250 g of warm dilution water (40-50) are then slowly added while stirring. The flakes may be intended for french polishing, in which case the "stuff" may be some form of wax, which typically would not dissolve in alcohol. Verified Purchase In excellent storage conditions, shellac flakes can last many years (storage conditions from 40F to 50F at <40% RH are suggested). The ratio 16:128 is the same as 1:8, so this should be equivalent to one ounce (by weight) of shellac flakes in 8 ounces (by volume) of alcohol. In general for applying to pine needle baskets it is best to use a light consistency. Busting them up into a coarse powder allows them to dissolve within 14 hours. The solution is then filtered through a fine cloth which removes any insoluble matter and reduces the naturally occurring wax contained in the Lac from 3%-5% to 0.2% or less. Shellac is UV - resistant and does not yellow or darken over time. Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2018. Making shellac is a simple process whereby we dissolve the flakes of shellac we buy into 190-proof denatured alcohol which we either buy through license here in the UK or we use Methylated spirits, which is denatured alcohol with an added violet colouring and any of a number of other additives that make the Meths undrinkable and even poisonous to prevent the misuse … Well, in the first place, it may be illegal for you to buy it! There is powdered shellac produced by dissolving the raw material in industrial alcohol (nearly 100%)and filtered. Swingman 2010-02-14 21:42:13 UTC. It is an excellent sealer for use on woods with high resin content (e.g., pine) to prevent bleed-through after painting. There are lots of… I got flakes from Stew Mac and mixed a 2 lb cut with grain alcohol. Best guess is that I've had this container for about five years -- they seem to look just fine, but something is not right. The consistency of shellac is determined by “cut”. Is it possible to speed up the dissolving of shellac flakes in alcohol? When processed, it is turned into dry flakes which are dissolved in industrial alcohol to make liquid shellac. Complete Description Shellac Flakes, Blonde, Dewaxed Shellac is a product of insects, just one of the facts that make it a very interesting material, far more than just an old-fashioned wood finish (it is actually a natural resin like dammar or pine rosin). Shellac can be applied with a brush, pad, sprayer, or wiping cloth. The fact that the shellac is refined using alcohol, then put in alcohol solution by the end user makes me think that it would be germ free. Permalink. Dewaxed Shellac is refined from Seedlac using the Solvent Extraction Process. It is extracted by dissolving the Seedlac in a solvent, usually ethanol. Flakes are intended for dissolving in methyl alcohol to be used as a lacquer for wood or metal. Dissolving & Mixing Mix in a dark plastic or glass container with a tightly fitting lid.Store in a cool and dark place if a clear container is used. It has a super fast dry time, thus saving money and aggravation. After complete melting a gellation will occur. So to reduce the cost, which is largely the result of taxes, some methanol is often added to make the ethanol poisonous and therefore not … The strength of shellac solutions is traditionally measured by a unit known as a “pound cut,” which refers to the amount in pounds of shellac flakes dissolved in a gallon of denatured alcohol. Natural shellac is a widely used finish for new work and restoration. However this is a large quantity for most woodworking shops. Shellac flakes WILL degrade such that they will no longer dissolve in alcohol. X Research source Albert Jackson and David Day, Complete Woodworker's Manual, p. 288, ISBN 0-00-414005-2 Liquid shellac is used as a food glaze, a wood finish, and a brush-on colorant. I think this helps the dissolving process more than anything else. 1.0 out of 5 stars Not useful for dissolving shellac flakes.. I have shellac flakes that will not dissolve in alchohol at all. Try dissolving them in denatured alcohol, mentholated spirits or isopropanol and then evaporating the alcohol off. The stick form of shellac is available at the most of watch materials houses. Shellac (/ʃəˈlæk/) is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. 16 ounces (by weight) of shellac per 128 ounces (by volume) of alcohol, right? of shellac flakes and dissolving it in 1 cup of denatured alcohol. For a complete dissolving of 100g flake shellac alternatively following minimum quantities of alkalies are required: Also, the dye in your denatured alcohol will not present any problem. Speed the shellac dissolving process with warm indirect heat, like from a desk lamp. I ground the flakes in a coffee grinder a Shellac not dissolving - The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum TN Shellac offered comprises machine made Shellac that has 0% of resin and orpiment unless a fixed amount is specified by customer, thus providing for complete solubility in hot alcohol.The TN Shellac offered contains acid value of 65-76, ester value of 110-175, saponification value of 175-240, wax content of 5.50% max, moisture of 2% max, no rosin and orpiment content, … The flake shellac is added to the alkaline solution and begins to melt while stirring. Here is how I mix it up for general use as a furniture finish (i.e. We use Tiger Flakes from Tools for Working Wood. Genuine WellerMart Shellac is known for its exceptional quality. Not so good for the coffee taste however! Dissolving and Mixing "Cut", or ratio of shellac flakes to alcohol determines the consistency of shellac. Shellac is a perishable product and despite common misconceptions, shellac flakes do NOT last forever. Then there are the flakes which are produced by the alcohol method. of shellac flakes per one gallon of high quality Denatured Alcohol solvent. cut”) of shellac is obtained by dissolving one pound of shellac flakes in a gallon of alcohol. i usually mix mine in about a 2 to 2 1/2 # cut and they usually disolve in about 30 to 60 minutes. not as a barrier for urine, smoke or sap). Old shellac is slow to dissolve, and bleached or blonde shellac will usually not dissolve completely, leaving a jelly-like residue at the bottom of the container. This type of Shellac is extracted by dissolving the Seedlac in a solvent, usually ethanol. I’ve heard of some folks purchasing 99% concentrations of isopropyl alcohol through medical suppliers. Hence a smaller amount can be mixed for a 1lb cut by taking 1oz. Used as a wood finish, sealer and to ensure adhesion between other finishes. Which I stirred up just before going to bed on *Sunday* night. the process; pulverize the button shellac to speed dissolving) stir occasionally and when dissolved add the balance of the alcohol. Dewaxed: Shellac flakes. As a painter though, you’ve probably found it most useful for dissolving shellac flakes into a usable liquid and cleaning brushes after applying shellac. Soak the flake shellac in about 1/2 of the total alcohol to be used for 24 hours or longer (cool room temperatures will slow the process; pulverize the button shellac to speed dissolving) stir occasionally and when dissolved add the balance of … It takes longer and it gets very goopy on the bottom of the jar. Any other "stuff" may separate from the shellac. It comes in flake form for easy dissolving, and is available in light yellow, amber and dark auburn in 1/4 lb (113g) and 1 lb (454g) packages. It is probably about 5 years old and has been kept in a sealed jar but in a moist environment exceeding 80% humidity every day for most of … are you mixing them in a glass jar or are you using a metal tin. I use 2 ounces of shellac flakes to 12 or 16 ounces of denatured alcohol. shellac in a 1-pound cut -- i.e. Moreover most shops do not own a weighing scale either. For example, a one pound cut (“1-lb. Why Would I Need a Substitute? A 3 lb. I am in the middle of applying shellac as a finish I just realized that I will need more shellac. The problem with using ethanol for dissolving and thinning shellac is that it’s quite expensive (think Everclear that you buy at the liquor store). i know mixing shellac in metal will darken the shellac, which is not always a bad thing, but it may also cause other problems, particularly if the tin has some sort of … Storing the flakes in the fridge or freezer is a good plan, especially once summer heat returns. 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