what cut of shellac should i use

Remember, the lb cut of shellac is just a number. You may also return purchases to a Rockler store near you for store credit. However, there are millions of products and services on the web, and I only promote those products or services that I would use personally. There’s a handy chart here that helps you through the math for smaller portions. Sand lightly between coats. Very seldom does a mixture go beyond a 4-pound cut. … Should I use wax? So make a few test passes on scrap to determine if you need to dilute more or perhaps add more flakes. The Wood Whisperer abides by word of mouth marketing standards and holds integrity in the highest regard. Use this chart to mix the desired amount of shellac: In a properly labeled glass jar (do not use metal or plastic), measure the desired amount of dry shellac. A 1b cut is 1 US gallon of denatured alcohol to 1lb (16oz) shellac flakes.The quantities are scalable so for a half gallon use 1/2lb shellac and so on. Cut a piece of cloth roughly 10"-12" square. I usually go with a 1# cut on sealing when using Zinsser Seal Coat. Do not use cotton T-shirt type cloth or cheese-cloth. What?!?! range - you can use a brush or a rag to apply the shellac. I mistakenly used a 2:1 cut of shellac as a seal cut on oak. The mix is identified by the ratio of alcohol to shellac, called “cuts.” One, two and three pound cuts (or fractions of) are the most common (see chart). Best coverage will be on a smooth surface carefully prepared so that you're not filling defects with shellac. If you measured DNA to the half line, and then added pulverized shellac, you would be low on the DNA because the flakes don’t pack, but that’s probably a lot closer to 1:1 than what you did. With the variety of colors and designs it provides, shellac gel has become one of the most notorious nail trends to emerge recently. https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/blotch-control-to-rule-them-all Along with a considerable mystique surrounding the use of shellac as a finish, there's a little bit of science, and a whole lot of room to personally develop you own favorite mixtures and methods. Also, about the spray gun cleaning - I use only one gun, spraying lacquer thinner through it after every use. Coating thickness and therefore coverage will vary with application method. I looked to see if I could find some estimate of volume (of flakes) in 1 lb, but didn’t spot it. Apply shellac to 2 or 3 board widths at a time, laying the product down in a smooth, even brushing motion. Yes, you should cut it by about 1/3. cut shellac and some padding cloth, which is available from finishing suppliers as trace cloth or French polishing cloth. The opening photo is a great example of the separation , unlike wax in shellac that settles to the bottom, the oil rises to the top. ", From the Woodworker's Journal eZine archives. Mixed with shellac, it will produce a serviceable finish. A 2-pound cut would be slightly thicker and provide a quicker build. From there I either spray, brush or pad on successive coats, or switch to a different topcoat. Always use a Dewaxed Shellac as a primer under paint or as a seal-coat under clear finishes. Hey Marc, have you ever used Methyl Hydrate instead of DNA to mix with the shellac flakes? If you want to build a shellac finish, use heavier cuts - 3 lb. If it really should be close to a 2:1 ratio by volume of flakes, then what you did would work, but it wouldn’t work for flakes. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Your email address will not be published. For international returns, please click here. Do check your technician’s credentials. Noticed this not too long ago! Your order will come with a return form with convenient instructions, or you may send your returns directly to Returns Department, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 4365 Willow Drive, Medina, MN 55340. I probably read about this years ago in a woodworking magazine. You can bet it’s safe to consume, they coat candy with it after all. But it’s close enough. Heavier liquid cuts can be used however it is best to apply several thin shellac coats rather than a few heavy ones. The pound cut is a term referring to the amount of shellac to alcohol mixture; as an example, a 2 lb cut of shellac contains two pounds of shellac mixed with one US gallon of alcohol. Use a two or three-pound cut of shellac and apply generously with long, smooth strokes. While wood conditioner helps in that situation, it is often not adequate. I assume you are in the USA so I’ll work in Imperial. Below, a Woodworker's Journal eZine reader gets a brief rundown on the shellac preferences of two wood finishing experts. Required fields are marked *. You can, of course, easily thin down a thick shellac. That is one pound of shellac per 1 gallon of Everclear. I use a magnetic stirring gizmo. (Ellis Walentine) "It depends on the amount of build up you're looking for, or whether you only intend to use the shellac as a sealer before top-coating with another finish. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. The exact “cut” of shellac flakes is explained as a “fat” cut and described as a little thinner than whole milk, I suspect it is approximately a 2 lb. How much, if any, did I mess up the seal coat? We proudly stand behind all of our products. of shellac flakes dissolved in 16 oz. You can use it on objects or projects that are not going to be exposed to water, heat, or extreme humidity. In this form it is known as Stick Lac. ft. The most common cuts you’ll come across are 3 lb, 2 lb and 1 lb. I’ve been using it for shellac and had no problems dissolving it. When I mix the stuff myself, I like to make a stock solution as a 2 lb cut and dilute the stuff as needed, depending on my application needs. For spray and brush work, I like to add a few drops of "Shellac Wet" to make it flow out better and fill the pores more. You will find oil sitting on the surface. If it’s going to be your final finish, it’s ok to use … In the 1920s shellac was replaced in factories by lacquer for two primary reasons: shellac resin (from bug secretions) is a commodity product that was going up in price as demand increased, while lacquer was going down in price; and lacquer thinner (a blend of … Be sure to leave enough room for shaking and mixing. If you are applying shellac exclusively, I find that wax-free shellac handles better, dries faster, and is clearfix than that with the wax still in. 'Charge' the Finishing Pad. The Wood Whisperer is proudly sponsored by brands that Marc trusts. The spice grinder was a nice touch. When I mix the stuff myself, I like to make a stock solution as a 2 lb cut and dilute the stuff as needed, depending on my application needs. What makes shellac so popular is the confidence it enhances in women with its uplifting reliability and superb look. is about right - and brush it on with a badger or china bristle brush. It is like shellac in that respect. I don a pair of thin gloves, dip a rag, sponge or Scotchbrite pad into the shellac, flood it onto the wood, then wipe it off while it is still wet. It’s the air between the flakes that makes the volume appear greater in flake form. I’m totally taking away your Italian card. For example, it could work well on picture frames, desks, side tables, bed frames, or bookcases. of alcohol). Unlike synthetic urethanes, shellac is a natural resin that is derived from the lac beetle and diluted with alcohol for use as a wood sealer. Learn more about shellac wood finish here. That said, I think the use of dewaxed shellac, which I get in the form of Zinsser SealCoat™, is a great way to pre-seal end grain if you want to prevent excess stain from being absorbed there. (Some finishes won't stick to the wax in natural shellac.) Cut a piece of cloth roughly 10"-12" square. I'm not sure, but as shellac was the only material used, there was no problem. (Michael Dresdner) "The 'best' way is whatever works best for you. Pour in Behkol solvent or denatured alcohol and set the mixture aside to dissolve. With all due respect, you’re overthinking this a bit. Manufacturer guarantees/warranties for power tools, CNC and laser products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items are damaged or defective. Items shipped directly from the manufacturer cannot be returned in store. If you ever research mixing shellac, you were probably overwhelmed with information about precise measurements, including weights and volumes. Why? Thank you for making this possible. Hey Brian. Pulverizing wouldn’t change that, and a cheapo scale would allow you to “tare” out the bottle, add the DNA to any amount you want, measure the weight and then divide by 3 to get the desired weight of shellac. The first coat on new or stripped wood will use more shellac, succesive coats wll use less for the same area. I like to keep a couple jars of homemade shellac - usually super blond, orange and/or garnet - around at all times, plus a pot of alcohol to keep my brush limber between uses. This means that some brands are cut with water to increase their volume, often by as much as 20%. The shellac is scraped off the twigs and washed with water to remove the particles of wigs and other impurities and when dry, is known as Seed Lac. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Shellac doesn't go down like varnish - it seems to be going down like varnish and then it "suddenly" turns to goo as you attempt to brush it out. I use both clear or bleached shellac and amber, natural, shellac if I want say a golden oak finish on coloured woods like oak and mahogany. High-quality brands and products you can trust, Expert advice and free post-purchase support, Exclusive, innovative products that help you Create with Confidence, Detailed instructions, technical specs and guides to make the most of your purchases. For about a hundred years, from the 1820s to the 1920s, shellac was the primary finish used (for all coats) by all small shops and factories. Shellac is mixed in “cuts” which refer to the proportion of shellac flakes (measured in pounds) to solvent (measured in gallons). About half-way down from the first line mark another line. Now pour in the shellac flakes up to the first line and then add denatured alcohol up to the second line. Shellac. Congratulations, you now have an approximate 2 lb cut of shellac. I looked hard for this stuff because methyl is really toxic in these quantities. If you aren’t familiar with shellac dilutions, here’s the quick primer. Easy to go the other way (1 gal of DNA weighs about 6.6 lbs, so by weight, you want about a 3:1 ratio of DNA to flakes to get a 2lb cut). I can’t say for sure that this method will produce an exact 2lb cut. However, it has some problems when it comes to shellac. Copyright © 2006-2020 The Wood Whisperer Inc. Please Read About:Denatured Alcohols• All Denatured Alcohols are NOT the Same. That oil should be wiped with naphtha a day or so after the finish is complete , the oil doesn’t dry, so it floats to the surface. For thinner coats - in the 1-2 lb. Old shellac just plain won't dry. What cut of shellac should I use? cut liquid shellac use approximately a 2:16 ratio of shellac flakes to alcohol (2 oz. The good news is that shellac can be reduced with any amount of denatured alcohol to make it as thin as you like, and it can be brushed, sprayed, wiped, padded, and even dipped. Are trademarks of the wood Whisperer abides by word of mouth marketing and! Prior or use a lint free, cotton rag to apply the shellac is sold as a Seal on. Heavier cuts - 3 lb is of course mixing volume and weight cut that I a... An alcohol fireplace fuel, and dewaxed variations tables, bed frames, desks, tables! Of finish choose depends on the shellac but rather stir it or roll the container in your browser of. 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Is available in two colors: white and orange what skill set should Yes. ” color manicure but also your whole look where is that there is no industry regulation regarding what constitutes.