Good tutorial. Shellac makes one build things they don't even need, just to have something in the house with French polish on it. Even though it's glossy, it still has a natural look somehow. I prefer it visually over nitro lacquer, but those are the top two favorites for me, for clear gloss finishes on wood.
great video i was hoping to use isoprpopyl and you confirmed it's ok or even perferred. , Yours is the best i've watched on the subject, clear to the point not to long in length! thanks.
Thank you for this info. I’m very new to this. ATM I’m 1/2 way through making a clock for our 1st grandchild’s birthday. Have been tossing up between flakes and a Zinsser pre-made. This has helped me tremendously.. Now, time to find a colour that will match the wood. Any ideas on NZ Rimu?
@@greggsincock238 Never used NZ Rimu so I can't comment. I personally like mixing my own flakes to guarantee freshness and use my choice of thinner (in this case isopropyl Alcohol). I avoid the commercial stuff because of the awful smell and the additives.
I'm making very small quantities (1/2 -1oz.) for testing. Does the viscosity matter? Your last mix seemed very thin,so I guess it is hard to make a big mistake as long as the flakes are dissolved. Great video!
The cut ( or, as you referred to it, viscosity) is strictly dependent on your use. French polishing requires a heavier cut and a sealer requires a lighter cut.
Yes. You can use any kind of alcohol. Isopropyl is the one I prefer. 2 ounces (by weight) of shellac flakes to 8 Fluid ounces of alcohol will give you a 2 pound cut.
What kind of shellac (lemon, blonde or platinum) may come close to the ”Butterscotch" nitrocellusosic color of old Telecaster Guitars ? How many coats (10, 20...) ?
Sorry. I'm not familiar with guitar colors, but I would try orange or lemon or a mix of the two in different proportions and make a series of tests on scrap and then do a color match to "butterscotch."
@@SergeCeyral You're welcome. If you're serious about color-matching wood, I'd suggest getting this DVD on color-matching. You'll be able to match any stain or color on wood after watching this DVD: sokolowskistudios.com/shop/mixing-matching-color-for-woodworkers-dvd/
I suppose if you drink it, it's toxic. But hospitals have used isopropyl for decades to sterilize vials and such. The last time you got a vaccine, you were wiped down with isopropyl before the shot. What I'm saying is...It's not toxic on your skin like denatured alcohol.
The fumes are extremely toxic but yes just a little on the cotton for an injection is no issue. Iso is great for cleaning even it does leave traces of residue that would be toxic. Sorry, I am not hating, I just wanted to say that grain is the best if looking for non toxic fumes and for very sensitive people or people with health issues. @@TedSokolowski
You'd be right if the parts were equivalent. But, you're measuring the shellac by weight and the alcohol in fluid ounces. A cut is also more descriptive in terms of the viscosity of the mix. I know immediately that a three pound cut is a thicker mixture than a 1/4 pound cut without thinking about the math. So in other words....you won't get a 2lb cut if you mix a 1:4 Shellac : Alcohol ratio.
Thank you for the information Ted.
Thanbk you Sir for this great tutorial ! Greetings from Quebec !
Good tutorial. Shellac makes one build things they don't even need, just to have something in the house with French polish on it. Even though it's glossy, it still has a natural look somehow. I prefer it visually over nitro lacquer, but those are the top two favorites for me, for clear gloss finishes on wood.
great video i was hoping to use isoprpopyl and you confirmed it's ok or even perferred. , Yours is the best i've watched on the subject, clear to the point not to long in length! thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video thank you for sharing your knowledge!
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for this info. I’m very new to this. ATM I’m 1/2 way through making a clock for our 1st grandchild’s birthday. Have been tossing up between flakes and a Zinsser pre-made. This has helped me tremendously.. Now, time to find a colour that will match the wood. Any ideas on NZ Rimu?
I'm not good with acronyms...What's ATM and NZ Rimu?
Sorry Ted, at the moment is atm. New Zealand Rimu is also apparently called Red Pine.
@@greggsincock238 Never used NZ Rimu so I can't comment. I personally like mixing my own flakes to guarantee freshness and use my choice of thinner (in this case isopropyl Alcohol). I avoid the commercial stuff because of the awful smell and the additives.
Thank you for shearing . I like idea of isopropyl alcohol very much. Very clear and informative video !!!
Shellac is marvelous. Forgiving on so many levels.
I'm making very small quantities (1/2 -1oz.) for testing. Does the viscosity matter? Your last mix seemed very thin,so I guess it is hard to make a big mistake as long as the flakes are dissolved. Great video!
The cut ( or, as you referred to it, viscosity) is strictly dependent on your use. French polishing requires a heavier cut and a sealer requires a lighter cut.
Why the lighter cut, to seep in further?
Good vid. Thank you sir.
can we use isopropyl alcohol 99.9% for shellac and what proportion should we take?
Yes. You can use any kind of alcohol. Isopropyl is the one I prefer. 2 ounces (by weight) of shellac flakes to 8 Fluid ounces of alcohol will give you a 2 pound cut.
@@TedSokolowski Thanks for the information ◉‿◉
@@muhammadmuniib Hi Munib ! Did the isopropyl alcohol (99.9%) work for you ?
@@gimax4689 yes , absolutely
U can mix iso 99.9 with the shellac .
@@muhammadmuniib would you also know if I can use Shellac to prevent bare, unlacquered brass/ metals from tarnishing ? (Small coins & stuff).
What kind of shellac (lemon, blonde or platinum) may come close to the ”Butterscotch" nitrocellusosic color of old Telecaster Guitars ? How many coats (10, 20...) ?
Sorry. I'm not familiar with guitar colors, but I would try orange or lemon or a mix of the two in different proportions and make a series of tests on scrap and then do a color match to "butterscotch."
@@TedSokolowski thx, this is a good suggestion !
@@SergeCeyral You're welcome. If you're serious about color-matching wood, I'd suggest getting this DVD on color-matching. You'll be able to match any stain or color on wood after watching this DVD: sokolowskistudios.com/shop/mixing-matching-color-for-woodworkers-dvd/
Use a coffee grinder and mix with everclear. Takes 2-3 hrs to dissolve
Can I use sanitize Alcohol 70% with shellac ?
70%? What's the other 30%....water? I wouldn't. You need alcohol. The purer it is the better.
@@TedSokolowski Thank for reply
I understand it is difficult to get that super pure alcohol.
You can get Everclear at your local liquor store or order 99.9% isopropyl on Amazon
i hate to break it to you but isopropyl alcohol is also toxic. best to use 99% grain
I suppose if you drink it, it's toxic. But hospitals have used isopropyl for decades to sterilize vials and such. The last time you got a vaccine, you were wiped down with isopropyl before the shot. What I'm saying is...It's not toxic on your skin like denatured alcohol.
The fumes are extremely toxic but yes just a little on the cotton for an injection is no issue. Iso is great for cleaning even it does leave traces of residue that would be toxic. Sorry, I am not hating, I just wanted to say that grain is the best if looking for non toxic fumes and for very sensitive people or people with health issues.
@@TedSokolowski
So in other words...... a 2lb cut is simply 1 part shellac, to 4 parts alcohol.
Why can't people just say these things?
You'd be right if the parts were equivalent. But, you're measuring the shellac by weight and the alcohol in fluid ounces. A cut is also more descriptive in terms of the viscosity of the mix. I know immediately that a three pound cut is a thicker mixture than a 1/4 pound cut without thinking about the math. So in other words....you won't get a 2lb cut if you mix a 1:4 Shellac : Alcohol ratio.
No for 2 pound cut you have to use 1 part shellac and 3.28 part of alcohol by weight.