kaffi311
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Post by kaffi311 on Apr 30, 2018 18:23:47 GMT -8
How do you thin shellac? Use Denatured alcohol I presume, but what amount? Does thinning it (to make it easier to work with) effect the color? ie Will I need to do MORE than 3 coats to get my desired results?
Thanks
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Post by vikx on Apr 30, 2018 19:20:48 GMT -8
Shellac starts out thin. If yours is thick, it is old. How many coats depends on the wood. Lately, I've had to do 4 on the 1/8 birch of average quality. Most of time 3 works well but only if the wood is good.
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kudzu
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Post by kudzu on May 1, 2018 3:42:03 GMT -8
vikx is right, it shouldn't need thinning unless it is drying out.
If you do need to thin it or anything else, use SMALL amounts of thinner and test it then add more if needed. It doesn't take much and you can't take it out. Also, I like to pour it into another container so if I mess up I don't ruin the whole can.
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mel
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Post by mel on May 1, 2018 5:38:09 GMT -8
I have 3/4 of a can left from last summer, should that still be good to use? or do I need to toss it?
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kudzu
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Post by kudzu on May 1, 2018 7:01:26 GMT -8
I would just test some on some scrap to be safe. I would expect you should be able to thin it down with alcohol and it work just fine. I have used it that was at least a year old before.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on May 1, 2018 12:56:07 GMT -8
Shellac doesn't get old. It can get contaminated but age means nothing. I learned this from John Palmer. If it is too thick just thin it down. I thin all my shellac to at least 10% to start with. If it is very warm you may go as high as 25% so it doesn't dry too fast. I like to shellac my panels before installing. And I do it inside to keep bugs and dust off of it. Just remember that you need ventilation because this stuff will get you high. Some may wish to use a paint mask with removable filters. They run between $30 and $40. I use one. Want to see how it is made?
Shellac is made in sheets that are hand stretched and then sent all over the world. Once it reaches it's destination it is mixed with denatured alcohol to turn it into a liquid form. It is also dehydrated down to a powder that can also be mixed with denatured alcohol to turn it into a liquid form.
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