John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Feb 25, 2015 18:59:53 GMT -8
It's my understanding that you can buy "dried" shellac by the pound. It comes in different colors, and you just add Denatured Alcohol. Make your own, "as you need it", plus at the current cost per quart of shellac (guessing @ $13.00/QT.) we are paying $52.00 per gallon. A gallon of Denatured Alcohol is about $20.00 for a gallon. Where? Larry, just Google, DRIED SHELLAC, and you will find more information than you ever wanted to know.
It appears that the dried Shellac flakes do have a life span of a few months, and has to stored at the proper humidity and temperature to extend the life span. I would be interested to hear anyone with first hand experience using dried shellac.
I also found some water based stains at Reel Lumber that look interesting. They were mixable to come up with custom tints, then just shoot clear over the tinted finish. We really need to find an easier, less time consuming way to refinish these interiors.
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scotty
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Post by scotty on Feb 26, 2015 5:51:55 GMT -8
Yes Readers, dried shellac is easy to find as John says: www.woodessence.com/Dry-Shellac-P54.aspxwww.shellac.net/I correspond with an old timer on a gun refinishing topic forum by the name of George. George, now in his 80s, spent his lifetime restoring antiques for NYC museums. Stuff like Egyptian artifacts and Louis 14th furniture. Most knowledge man I have ever talked to about his craft. The storage of dried shellac is critical to its life as is the supply chain of the shellac, so I've never tried it. Still don't have a need. But I know George only uses shellac he makes himself...that which he needs for the immediate project. Same with his glues. He knows volumes on the problems with resin migration throughout wood fibers resulting from the use of Titebond type glues (yeah...I still use them). George uses only hide glue...and then only rabbit skin glue that he makes himself because it doesn't "migrate" and accepts stains well. Still I am too lazy....  |
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 26, 2015 6:26:14 GMT -8
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scotty
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Post by scotty on Feb 26, 2015 7:08:56 GMT -8
A year ago or so I stumbled across a 1930s movie of making shellac...it was on YouTube. I went looking for that, but couldn't find it. But, this video is much more informative. Maybe you'll find it as fascinating as I did. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQcQ0yuekZ0 |
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 26, 2015 7:29:26 GMT -8
scotty that was a great video. Thanks for sharing.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 26, 2015 7:43:23 GMT -8
I'm beginning to think that perhaps the finish I am trying to match in the 59 Shasta is not shellac after all. I will be showing a piece of the finished wood from the trailer to someone this week to see if he knows what it is and how to match it. I am not looking forward to having to sand down the entire trailer. I only have two panels that need to be matched to the rest of the trailer. It would be a shame to have to sand the entire trailer down and start all over with a different finish.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 8, 2015 10:46:55 GMT -8
It's my understanding that you can buy "dried" shellac by the pound. It comes in different colors, and you just add Denatured Alcohol. Make your own, "as you need it", plus at the current cost per quart of shellac (guessing @ $13.00/QT.) we are paying $52.00 per gallon. A gallon of Denatured Alcohol is about $20.00 for a gallon. Where? I just picked up 4 quarts of Bull's Eye Amber Shellac at the local Home Depot in NC. Maybe I should buy it all? What is the shelf life of shellac? |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Mar 8, 2015 12:58:55 GMT -8
I just picked up 4 quarts of Bull's Eye Amber Shellac at the local Home Depot in NC. Maybe I should buy it all? What is the shelf life of shellac? According to John Palmer.... Forever. If it dries out or get's thick you can just add denatured alcohol. |
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kimberwarden
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Post by kimberwarden on May 18, 2015 9:20:20 GMT -8
I'm reviving this thread again. Mobiltec, did you get to talk to the guy who supposedly knew the secret?
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on May 19, 2015 17:37:13 GMT -8
I'm reviving this thread again. Mobiltec, did you get to talk to the guy who supposedly knew the secret? Not yet. Soon. I have to get this Aljoa out of here before I even think of anything else. I'm way behind because of my eye injury and the surgeries and healing involved. And now my landlord has decided to get greedy and will be charging me for storage of my trailers and working on them. I will have to get rid of all of my trailers and hurry up and finish the ones I'm working on. My landlords have ruined it for me. I will only be able to afford to keep one trailer around that I am working on from now on. As soon as I get rid of the Aljoa I will be going to talk to the guy who supposedly has the secret. I'm not counting on success though. |
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kimberwarden
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Post by kimberwarden on May 20, 2015 6:38:30 GMT -8
Oh gosh, I'm sorry about the landlord situation. That must have a huge impact on you. As if you didn't have enough to worry about already! I'm going to be doing some experimenting with whitewashing the panels in the next couple of weeks, and see how that turns out. I'll report back on my results. |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on May 20, 2015 11:41:30 GMT -8
Oh gosh, I'm sorry about the landlord situation. That must have a huge impact on you. As if you didn't have enough to worry about already! I'm going to be doing some experimenting with whitewashing the panels in the next couple of weeks, and see how that turns out. I'll report back on my results. OK Kim. I wish I could do something now but I'm buried in other stuff and that trailer is buried under 3 tarps.... Let me know how it works out. Maybe YOU can help ME... Boy would that be great! |
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