Ready Made Shellac

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  • Mark68
    18 May 2020 at 12:25 pm #661858

    Could someone confirm that this here:

    http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/liberon-spirit-sanding-sealer?sid=1&s=1178995-3e04d38e147a324dee4d957c1392da1e&r=10&p=1

    Is ready-made Shellac?

    Thanks all.

    EDIT: It says on the product that it is suggested the Liberon Sanding Sealer be used only with a wax finish. Does this mean I can’t use *just* the Liberon Sanding Sealer to finish off a project?

    "Sawdust? I think you'll find that's man-glitter."

    Craig
    18 May 2020 at 2:37 pm #661879

    Mark,
    This is not shellac according to their listed ingredients on the SDS.

    Second question…call the customer service # listed on the bottle.
    Best,
    Craig

    SW Pennsylvania

    Mark68
    18 May 2020 at 5:19 pm #661916

    That’s odd, or perhaps not. It says here (about a third of the way down under the ‘Shellac’ heading):

    https://commonwoodworking.com/consumables-guide/#shellac

    “It can be bought pre mixed or as solids in flake form, the flakes come as non uniform flakes or beads and must be mixed with denatured alcohol. Paul uses a ready mixed Liberon Spirit Sanding Sealer which is a convenient and easy option.”

    When I read that I thought they were talking about ready-made shellac.

    "Sawdust? I think you'll find that's man-glitter."

    Craig
    18 May 2020 at 5:29 pm #661918

    Gee Mark I guess just because it’s not listed doesn’t mean it’s not in there.
    While you’re on the phone with them about your second question you might just ask them if it contains shellac.
    Please follow up with the rest of so we can be informed also.
    Thanks

    SW Pennsylvania

    Colin Scowen
    18 May 2020 at 6:19 pm #661922

    Mark, not sure how close your nearest B&Q is, but they may have the Colron French Polish. Technically, French Polish(ing) is a technique rather than a substance, but it is a technique that uses shellac. And Colron’s page states that the polish contains only natural shellac. Maybe pick up a bottle of meths while you are there, in case you want to try thinning it. Not sure how it might compare to buying a different brand, but it may be worth any extra cost if it gets you started, with a small enough bottle to see if you like it.
    Personally, I buy mine ready mixed off the squinternet, from a manufacturer, which does give a larger choice, but less chance to just go and have a look around.
    (B&Q also carry linseed oil as well. Depends what you are finishing really.)

    Colin, Czech Rep.

    Mark68
    18 May 2020 at 6:49 pm #661927

    Thanks all for the advice.

    I think I am going to go with the liberon product and some beeswax polish. That’s what I saw Paul using in one of his videos (can’t remember which one right now).

    "Sawdust? I think you'll find that's man-glitter."

    Sven-Olof Jansson
    18 May 2020 at 9:47 pm #661952

    Hej Mark,

    Got Chestnut “Shellac Sanding Sealer” from Axminster.
    Shellac Sanding Sealer

    In his book “Taunton’s Complete Guide to Finishing (Taunton Press Inc; ISBN-13: 978-1-56158-592-2)”, Jeff Jewitt states:
    ‘A sanding sealer is simply a thinned version of a lacquer- or varnish-based finish that has been modified with zinc stearate or a resin (usually vinyl)’. Under the heading of shellac, he writes: ‘Shellac is a natural resin that is commonly available and easy to apply. Of all the sealers shellac is perhaps the most universal in its ability to prevent finishing problems.’

    My bottle has no list of contents, but the information above leads me to think that the content is simply shellac (perhaps with zinc-stearate added), which is fine with me, as after some four coatings it also provides a good filler before the wax.

    After having applied “Finishing Oil” to one face of a piece of oak and “Danish Oil” to the other, with to my eyes no difference in results, I wonder over some finishes.

    Sven-Olof Jansson
    London, UK; Boston, MA

    Paul Rowell
    19 May 2020 at 8:01 am #661998

    More information here:
    https://paulsellers.com/2011/04/how-to-apply-shellac-as-practical-wood-finish/

    Mark68
    24 May 2020 at 6:08 pm #662722

    Thanks all for the info.

    I just need to get some 190 proof denatures alcohol for cleaning the hake brush, but I’m having a tough job finding an online supplier in the UK. Does anyone know of such a supplier, would B&Q stock it?

    EDIT: Actually, in the pic I posted above, it shows that Denatured Alcohol is used for short term storage of the brush, but I doubt I’d ever need to do that; store the brush for a few hours without using it, so I’ll just go with the household ammonia for brush cleaning.

    "Sawdust? I think you'll find that's man-glitter."

    Paul Rowell
    24 May 2020 at 9:56 pm #662749

    Just use methylated spirits.

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