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Post by danrhodes on Jan 28, 2016 9:31:52 GMT -8
Most ash was clear coated (shellac or other) and with age turned into a more golden color. The above looks to be walnut stain. Not sure, but it's not close to amber shellac. It is also darker than most 65s. If you like amber shellac, a light coat on existing wood and 2 or 3 on bare wood will blend well. I did the alcohol test last night and it didn't seem to soften the finish at all. Maybe this is stained or tinted varnish. I assume I can still remove the finish and use shellac as long as I get it all off? I'm planning on trying these for finish removal as it does seem quite brittle. www.amazon.com/Crown-376-Cabinet-Scraper-Gooseneck/dp/B001C06BLE
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mel
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Post by mel on Jan 28, 2016 11:44:17 GMT -8
danrhodes what is the alcohol test? and what is it for?
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 28, 2016 13:24:57 GMT -8
danrhodes what is the alcohol test? and what is it for? I'm a noob, but it's my understanding that shellac is soluble in alcohol, so the finish should at least become tacky. Maybe someone with shellac experience can confirm or deny. I also end up drinking too much Sierra Nevada while contemplating all of the work still ahead of me, but that's a different alcohol test.
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Post by vikx on Jan 28, 2016 20:14:56 GMT -8
Denatured Alcohol does make shellac sticky and/or soft... If it doesn't touch the finish, it's not shellac.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jan 29, 2016 4:41:04 GMT -8
Denatured Alcohol does make shellac sticky and/or soft... If it doesn't touch the finish, it's not shellac. But whatever you do, do NOT mix it up with your Sierra Nevada.....
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jan 30, 2016 15:42:02 GMT -8
By the mid fifties, it was common for manufacturers to use polyurethane instead of shellac. Funny shellac and alcohol story...an orchestra was playing at a mega church for a Christmas concert. Part of the ambiance was the "snow" that fell from way up high onto the a diencephalic and the orchestra. The snow disappeared as it touched a surface. Unfortunately for several dozen strings players, when it landed on their instruments, it marred the finish. There were some pretty ticked off musicians. Needless to say, after that, they no longer made it snow over the orchestra. Not a nice thing to happen to a $30,000 viola!
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 30, 2016 15:51:42 GMT -8
By the mid fifties, it was common for manufacturers to use polyurethane instead of shellac. Funny shellac and alcohol story...an orchestra was playing at a mega church for a Christmas concert. Part of the ambiance was the "snow" that fell from way up high onto the a diencephalic and the orchestra. The snow disappeared as it touched a surface. Unfortunately for several dozen strings players, when it landed on their instruments, it marred the finish. There were some pretty ticked off musicians. Needless to say, after that, they no longer made it snow over the orchestra. Not a nice thing to happen to a $30,000 viola! In guessing the only solution to poly is full strip? How does shellac react to poly residue? Should I consider using tinted poly?
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jan 30, 2016 17:03:00 GMT -8
You can tint the poly, but you don't really have to. I don't remember that we used tinted poly. We have noticed that the new wood we used in Hamlet is slowly turning a warmer amber. I suspect that in a dozen years or so, we won't be able to tell the difference.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Jan 30, 2016 18:40:43 GMT -8
Fortunately there aren't a lot of $30,000 violas, or $30,000 accordions. Just don't let that snow fall on any of my old basses 'cause they're all alcohol based varnish and alcohol will really do a trip on a shellac finish.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Jan 30, 2016 19:04:57 GMT -8
Sorry about that last post. I was watching a CNN docu about the 'Eagles' while I wrote that, and going back to hippie days and viola jokes. Hippies sometimes got off track. Maybe still do. So yah, what Hamlet said.
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 30, 2016 19:16:37 GMT -8
Sorry about that last post. I was watching a CNN docu about the 'Eagles' while I wrote that, and going back to hippie days and viola jokes. Hippies sometimes got off track. Maybe still do. So yah, what Hamlet said. Take it easy, kirkadie
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