Re: Liquid shellac vs. powdered

marlowe <zdepew@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> fired this volley in news:b8987b34-d8c6-
4832-be37-192b9fa519e1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Is it possible to use liquid shellac cut with alcohol to wet stars in
> which the shellac acts as a binder? If so, what would be the ratio of
> shellac to alcohol? (The common stuff on shelves is a 3lb cut; that
> is, three pounds shellac per gallon of alcohol.)
> 
> If it won't work, would it be wasteful to pay the $19/pound Skylighter
> wants for powdered shellac, and does anyone have suggestions for other
> suppliers?
> 

You'll seldom find anything but 3lb cut these days.  Shellac has fallen 
out of favor with all but die-hard purist furniture reproduction artists 
and restorers.

Most formulae use more shellac as fuel than would be available in a 
reasonable quantity of alcohol at the 3lb cut.   Also, it's often the 
case that cut shellac on the shelves is too old, and has begun to 
deteriorate (because it's not a fast-moving product).

Better to use the dry powder, and moisten with solvent afterwards.

LLoyd