080 - Shellac 101
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- In this video I answer some questions like what is Shellac, how to mix it, mixing ratios for 2lb cuts, and how to apply it in basic forms.
In future episodes I'll explore french polishing.
---
Follow me on
Twitter / vikingcode
Facebook / thewoodknight
Website thewoodknight.com/
Instagram / thewoodknight
Support me and free woodworking content at
/ thewoodknight
---
Music
Music by Sophonic Media instrumentalsfr...
FINALLY! ANOTHER AUSSIE! Instructions I can understand, in metric
If you put the shellac into a blender, you can speed up the melting process very quickly. Its also a good ideal to use a clear sealer shellac before putting on the darker shellac. If you noticed, there is some spotting on the sample with the amber shellac. Applying a pre-coat of clear shellac would prevent the spotting in the darker shellac.
I love using shellac. Simple to apply, as long as your don't rush. Best thing I like is that it's food safe. Thanks for the video!
Mustaf shalac
Very interesting intro - thanks! Looking forward to a practical demonstration on French Polish.
Very interesting, I have to try shellac one day! I have often seen luthiers use it, seems to make ,musical instruments resinate better!
I use white cotton ribbon & shellac on my bicycle handlebars - cheap, pleasant to touch & easy to repair 👍
Very good intro. Thanks a lot mate.
ooooh, I just learnt what denatured alcohol is! XD
Thanks again for another great review!
Top man . Very helpful extension. Many thanks.
Thank You for the presentation, correctly alcohol spilled from a beverage could mar the finish, one thing for sure, the cleaning solvent Ammonia will absolutely remove the shellac. In fact I use Ammonia to clean my shellac brushes, works fantastic and it is cheap!
Interesting. When I was in school, we learned how to use shellac a bit differently, and a lot more complicated :p When we mixed it, we were told to strain it, my teacher used a felt hat :p And when we applied it, we used a block covered in some sort of velvety material. Then again, we mainly used it for the insides of drawers and the likes. I haven't used it since, because I remember it being so finnicky, but your method makes me want to try it again, as it's much simpler and less hazzle :)
+Famtastic Straining it is a good idea (lots of different medium can be used, not just hats!) as its a natural product so may include lots of contaminates. By the sounds of it, the way you were applying it is closer to french polishing and I'll cover a bit more of that in a future episode.
Very informative! You rock! Can't wait for the headboard video! Cheers!🍻🍻
Methylated Spirits, commonly knows as Denatured Alcohol, does not have a standard formula. It is generally a mixture of Ethanol Alcohol (expensive), Methanol (inexpensive), and approx 1% of MIBK (Methyl Isobutyl Ketone). Water should not be in the formulation. To make the Denatured Alcohol less expensive some manufacturers use up to 40% Methanol in their formulations. You won't find this percentage on the label, but it is listed on the products MSDS (Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet). A container of 100% Ethanol Alcohol is 200 proof and also known as Moonshine in the USA. Adding Methanol makes it unfit for drinking. Whether or not a higher percentage of Ethanol Alcohol makes a superior shellac is debatable. A clue to denatured alcohol formulation is sometimes on the product label. If it says 95% green or from renewables, then that is a clue that it contains 95% ethanol.
I wonder where its commonly known as denatured alcohol, if its just north america. In Australia its always methylated spirits ("metho" or "meths"), and its the same in the UK (theirs is dyed purple?).
Likewise, "mineral spirits" isn't an available phrase down under - we have mineral turpentine (turps), and its white spirits in the UK.
And FYI, the MSDS for several brands of metho in Australia lists ethanol and water, here is an example (95% ethanol, 5% water) www.recochem.com.au/files/downloads/Methylated_Spirits_Dec14.pdf
Great information for us less informed, thank you for making this video! Finishes are mine (and others, I'm sure) least strong point in my work, so any light shone on the subject is a good viewing ;)
+Yuval Lahav Finishing can be more rewarding than any part though! Nothing like flooding the surface of a burl with oil and seeing that colour pop. Or on a lathe, that first coat of shellawax reflecting all the light back? Its hard to beat that feeling ;)
+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins Tell me about it, applying the finish in my videos is the part where most of my little batch of subscribers loose their cool :)
I am looking forward to the bed build!
That's a really nice japanese inspired head board. I'd be interested in videos of projects like that.
+Jacob Aldridge Thanks - there will be several videos on it, just waiting for the sponsor approval ;)
Awesome mate I've been shellac-curious for a while but never bought any yet as I didn't understand what were the best uses for it. Keen to try now.
First I would like to thank you for sharing this info
I have a question though ??
I am a bowyer , I make primitive bows using hide glue and sinew for backing up my bows .
Now; primitive bows do change between summer and winter even on a very humid or rainy day and in some cases with lengthy time the wood is warped but any way , would the bow show cracks if I shellac it ??
If I flex that wood, that is in a full draw !
Is that layer of shellac is going to show texture like veins from a result of cracking ??
Never used it but I thought of asking you
+ckingclosur Shellac is hard, but that makes it brittle. I'd imagine the tension would likely cause cracking. Shellac isn't really an outdoor finish. I don't know what bowyers use, but I'd imagine an oil finish like tung or boiled linseed oil would be preferable - they're still easy to repair (a light sand, apply another coat), and still nourish the wood. An oil/varnish blend (like Danish Oil) might also work.
bees wax , linseed oil is common to seal the wood , Thanks to you mate I got your post in my favorites
well done! Well presented
Dear Paul, I have several handles that I turned out of ironbark for chisels and files and have coated them with a mix of Tung oil and natural turpentine. The cover is good but remains dull. To give some shine, do you reckon that shellac would do the trick? By the way, unless you have already tried it, get hold of some fresh ironbark and plane / turn it. Cuts like butter and its regular grain makes it a dream to use. Peter from South Oz.
I know I'm probably beating a dead horse here, but for those who don't know, Methylated Spirits/Denatured Alcohol are just a fancy way of describing high-proof ethanol that's been poisoned so you can't drink it (or, at the very least, made sickeningly bitter and unpalatable). Here in the States (and I assume other countries), this is done so that the alcohol can be sold in hardware stores without having to pay a liquor tax since it's not for consumption. I would recommend searching hard for Methylated Spirits/Denatured Alcohol as it will be much cheaper by volume, but if you must I assume it would be just fine to visit your local liquor store and pick up a bottle of the highest proof, clear, unflavored alcohol you can buy (like Everclear, if you can get the 190 proof where you live). I've also heard people having success with using nearly pure Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) from the drug store.
Thank you for the great explanations. To see you use a paper plate let me think about buying some for my shop.
+Mighty Wood It was a plastic plate - I don't normally use them for anything in the workshop, but it was easier to demonstrate on camera :)
Paddlepop sticks, wax paper, plastic cups and acid brushes are something that aren't "typical" workshop supplies that get a constant workout in my shop ;)
Silly question: How long can I keep a Shellac mixed from flakes? I have a bottle I mixed about 5 - 7 years ago, and its fully sealed. Can I use it?
Looking online they give it a very short shelf life of 6-9 months. But am not sure why, since the idea of shellac is to be able to repair it with some new shellac to dissolve the old surface. So am confused is that a pre mixed shelf life due to water dissolving into the alcohol, or is it due to some factory mixed additives.
So is shellac the first product you put on or the last product you put on? I’m curious if I can use Odies oil either before or after shellac. I’m not sure of the process.
Thanks
I bought shellac flakes several years ago. It's all glued together in a ball. Can I break it up with a hammer, dissolve it in denatured alcohol and use it? Is there some way to make it become flakes again?
Hi. In your very informative shellac101 video you mentioned you might do a video on french polishing. I've checked your video history and could not find one. Did you get round to making one?thks peter
Very informative mate, how long does the Shellac mix last ? Does it have a shelf life ?
Nicely done, learned a lot!
shallec where avilibal
You said that Shellac can take anything on it. So for a fresh wood can I apply shellac first and on top of it can I do PU polish?
Will there be a 102 ? This was one of your best videos in my humble opinion. Cheers, Chris.
+Cactus Makeshop Other than french polishing, what would you like to see covered in a '102'?
I think a 102 video could cover the different types of shellac that can be found, like flake powder, and you mentioned pellets. I think there are a lot of different colors and varieties of shellac available in many forms. I saw a video on these aspects of shellac sometime in the last year or so that covered some of that info, but I don't remember who.
Thanks for the all the information regarding shellac. I would like to ask a question if I may. I tried to dissolve some old shellac flakes to make a 1lb cut. I used 100ml of 90% proof alcohol to a 12 g of flakes. The shellac did not dissolve and I ended up with a kind of slimy solution. I tried heating it up in a ben marie but nothing. At the end I strained it through a wire fine mesh and discarded the slimy undissolved flakes. The strained shellac appeared to be kind of sticky when I used it but the result was ok-ish. Is there any way to correct this problem and be able to completely dissolve the flakes?
Can I apply Zinnser Non-waxed shellac (clear) over Zinnser waxed amber shellac ...? (I want the amber look). I'm using a water based Aqua-Coat Polyurethane as a finish coat.
Hello if you mix the wrong cut proportions. Is the product biodegradable?
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the video. I have built a lovely Marri dining table. I have filled the gaps with a high end 2 pack with added black pigment. I am now ready to coat the table though am a little lost as to what finish to use. I am looking at the u beaut hard shellac or simply a polyurethane (cabot's ). The table is indoor use only. Any advice / thoughts greatly appreciated.
Thanks..
Polyurethane or hardwax oil would be a better idea than shellac for a dining table. Moisture and heat can cause issues with shellac, even hard shellac
Hi Paul, thanks for this video. If I may ask a question,I'm probably asking in the wrong section, anyhow... I stripped and shellaced (spell?) a very old Tassie oak dresser about 20 years ago, it's now rather weathered and badly needs re doing. I'm looking for the easiest way to prepare before going gung-ho into the shellac. I'm happy with a rustic & charactered look. Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you Paul.
+Ruby Tuesday (Catnip) sandpaper? Shellac will stick to the new stuff just fine if that's what you are asking. Sand, vacuum then finish
Paul Jenkins Thanks for the heads up Paul. Can't wait to get started.
Great video. Thanks. I have two questions for you: I'm planing on building on outside BBQ table to hold my grill. It will be exposed to some rain and sun. What would you suggest I use on the wood to seal it? It is ok to use pine? If not would wood would you suggest? Thanks
+Fabio Alves I wouldn't use shellac for this. An outdoor "grade" varnish/polyurethane is your best bet. Since you're in the US, look for 'Spar Varnish'. Marc Spagnolo (the Wood Whisperer) uses Epifanes brand and has a good article on outdoor finishes and what you need to be aware of. www.thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/difference-between-spar-varnish-and-regular-varnish/
Do you ever add red to your shellac? If so how do you go about doing that and what do you use to change the color. I have seen some videos that when they coat the shellac it has a reddish hue to it. Thank you, Randy Camp
+longbow1965 I have not tinted shellac, no.
Dear paul , Could you tell how long the coat sustains its glow? I mean , which has longer life , A shellac coat or the one which comes from Industrial source such as boxed varnish. What normally is the difference in Price for a unit of Solution prepared of shellac and the branded Varnish? could you tell us some more points which are an advantage over its substitutes ?
by the way , Thanks a lot for that great demonstration :)
+Ravi Kumar Polyurethanes (varnishes) are harder wearing than shellac, I did mention that. I can't tell you price as it varies regionally too much.
Most interesting. Can I put shellac onto an encaustic painting.. I.e. Over beeswax and damar resin.
Shellac of North America
Catalogue number TG211 CD
Audio compact disc
44.1 kHz sample rate
16-bit word length
Samples represented in 2's-complement binary
8 to 14 expansion
Set reproducer for reference level
1000 hurts
Do you sand in between the coats of Shellac you put on ? If you do what is it?
No need to, the layers of shellac melt into each other.
Can I use shellac for priming wood panels for painting oil/acrylic
👍👍👍
I really like the way shellac looks, but I just can't handle it when I have to try and keep a wet edge all the way around a fairly complex piece. It's just too damned difficult when I can messily wipe on an oil instead.
+Kirby Weldon There is certainly a time and place for shellac and for oils. Depending on the complexity, sprayings the way to go anyway. Now just for a dirt cheap, all-seasons temperature controlled popup spray booth eh? ;)
Hi Paul, what are the differences in use between shellac and varnish?
+fishinbite Shellac is a type of varnish, varnish is really just a generic term for evaporative finishes.
Alkyd varnishes (most tins labelled "varnish" are alkyd varnishes) harder wearing and better resistant to heat. Polyurethane varnishes can be as hard as alkyd varnishes but are more durable given they're also a bit more flexible. The advantage really is heat/water/alcohol resistance. However they also take considerably longer to dry and impart a lot of colour. Typically this is a nice amber if its an oil based varnish (rather than water based), and can be a desirable trait.
Shellac is much better if you don't want a thick film, very quick to dry (meaning less chance of dust and other contaminates), and creates a much better feeling (to the touch) surface.
+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins Very helpful Paul thank you. Keep up the good work. Cheers
Paul. Thank you. I'm new to using shellac, but I wanted to use it to seal some Pine so I can have a more uniform finish. How do I determine what cut to use in this instance, and for that matter in other instances. Thanks again.
Use thicker (or more) coats if its the final finish. Use thinner (or/and fewer) coats to seal.
Paul Jenkins thank you sir.
Hi great video! I'm making my first vanity cabinet in pine with plywood paneling on the front and back! yeah he! most of it I'd like to stain but one part I'd like to use acrylic paint. now as a way of prep I was wondering could I use a light coat of shellac on the bare wood (unwaxed, after sanding etc) as a way of making sure the stain doesn't blotch up, then use shellac on top to give a protective finish on top? and for the acrylic part once it's dry, the same, a few coats of shellac to finish on top? I know ultimately the decision is mine and it'll be best to experiment on off cuts but I was wondering if you thought this was ok or maybe point me in a better direction? thanks dude
I don't use stain at all, and rarely work with pine as finish pieces, so I *think* that'll work, but I'm not entirely certain, sorry.
+Paul Jenkins ok thanks. as I progress I'll move on to different woods as my arsenal of tools grow...and space to work lol
Nice
I am learning to paint guitars. Will shellac build as a clear coat, like lacquer? Can I add dye to it?
+jwandhistools shellac doesn't build super well.
Great vid man, thanks! I have question, is it possible to apply shellac with compressor spray gun for larger applications? Thanks!
+Gianluca Moretti Yes, though you'd probably want a thinner cut (to stop it drying mid-air). I'm not sure how combustible the metho is going to be when atomised, so I'm not going to recommend for or against it. I've done it in the past to no explosive effects, but I'm not an expert on spraying :)
Makes sense...Thanks!
kindly let me know how to use shellac in apples to make them shiny?
Thanks for the information. How about if I can get and use 100% alcohol from the medicine lab (in case if the denatured alchohol / spirit from the regular hardware is not of good quality).
Good quality shellac for contact us
Mr. Sumit poddar
9641048848
Hi Paul, Could you advise the best way to remove shellac coating and shellac+lacq finish to restore?
Bh Chun soften the finish first - metho for just shellac, lacquer thinner for lacquer. then scrape.
Paul, thanks for your tutorial. What about waxed shellac, the type you can buy from Masters in a tin or spray can made by Zinsser? Just thinking maybe you could cover that product as well for viewers. I have used it as a finish and imparts a very nice gloss after a few coats.
Also how can you tell if it is waxed or dew axed shellac......when you search for shellac flakes I find trouble getting that info.....all the ones I've searched don't mention that fact.......does one assume it is dew axed if it comes in flakes??
Cheers
+SimopsAus Typically if it doesn't say dewaxed, its not dewaxed. Zinsser stuff varies - sealcoat is dewaxed, though I think their straight 'shellac finish & sealer' isn't. I'm not entirely sure, Zinsser aren't great at giving info away. Given Masters are far and few between, and their general future is down the toilet, Bunnings and others are more 'universal'.
Flakes aren't always dewaxed, as I said generally if it doesn't mention its dewaxed, it contains wax. Orange/amber flakes you can find in Masters/Bunnings/paint/hardware stores is always going to be waxed. Carbatec/Timbecon have some, and goldleaf.com.au has a better range overall, though only their blonde is dewaxed. If you're using shellac as the final finish, the wax content doesn't really matter unless you're french polishing, as then it just makes the process slower. If you're using it as a sealer, you need dewaxed.
+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins thanks for the info. Zinsser does not stock dewaxed shellac premixed in can here (I've tried) only the waxed variety .... Bunnings is about twice the price of Masters but then I've just found out that Masters has stopped stocking shellac......😫
Cheers
thanks for posting!
and what other oil base might you use other than danish oil?
Tung/BLO. You could also use it as a way to seal stains and dyes so they don't bleed into a top coat.
Thanks for the insight!
Subscribed!!
RIP STEVE ALBINI
so basically it is a 4 to 1 mix ? 4 of alcohol and 1 on shellac ?
Plan: stock up on shellac. 2: disperse massive amounts of anti diarrheal chemicals on lac bugs. 3. Wait for supply of shellac to plummet. 4: profit.
I just came here for my modules😂
Hey mate also an Aussie here. Can I ask where do you get your bags of shellac? Ill head to buntings but nothing like this haha! Thanks mate
+Andrew Marshall Bunnings will have amber flakes if thats what you're after, though most woodworking supply stores (Timbecon, Carbatec, and most turning suppliers) will have UBeauts amber flakes for a better price. I happened to get the blonde dewaxed shellac from The Goldleaf Factory, though other suppliers like Timbecon also stock it for a similar price. Carbatec have some from Liberon brand, but its awfully expensive.
+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins
Thanks for the quick reply mate. I have always wanted to play around with Shellac, at this stage just have been using stains and polyurethane. I am about to restore a plane and thought a nice shellac on the rosewood handles would go well thus my watching of these videos. I was interested that you can seal with shellac then put poly over the top? I will have to give this a try..
Can I also ask you a question off the note of this video.. Im in the market for a new mitre saw ( Literally was going to buy this week), and have come across the Dewalt DWS 780 XE and the Bosch gliding saw.......I see you have this saw as an Aussie woodworker... I love that it saves space, but how is the accuracy? Would you buy it again or would you get a different saw?.. I actually looked through your videos for a review of this saw but couldn't see one so thought I would ask here! Thanks again, am enjoying your videos. As you know we are limited here in Aus for woodworking equipment so I enjoy your opinions!
+Andrew Marshall I haven't reviewed it. If you can go into a tool store like Total Tools, they should have both on display so you can have a play around. At that end of the market, either saw is accurate though both will required setup out of the box. The bosch saw isn't the easiest to configure (just awkward), but you can get it very accurate. Dewalt is probably better if you go onto a jobsite rather than stationary at a workshop as its much lighter.
+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins
Thanks Paul. No job site work for me just woodworking, so accuracy is all that matters. I have read many good reviews of both saws and initially wanted the Dewalt as it looks like a more substantial saw with a better stand but most seems to say the Bosch is just as accurate and saves space! Basically was curious if you were happy with it? If you had your time over would you buy it again? ( sorry to ask this here, just good to hear another Aussie opinion with our limited saw range).
+Andrew Marshall the only complaint I have about it is the dust collection is so so. Otherwise, very happy with it. No longer have the stand as I built a cabinet to put it on, but wasn't displeased with it
A 2lb cut will have a shellac percentage of approx 23-24% by weight.
I didnt understand well. Denatured alcohol is mineral spirit?
Dna is methylated spirits.
@@TheWoodKnight ahhhhh i didnt heard well. Thank you, good video
bonjour je vient de voir votre vidéo sur le shellac 101 mais je ne comprend pas votre langue pourriez -vous le marqué les proportion ainsi que les matériaux pour que je puisse le faire traduire merci d'avance
Je ne parle pas français
Can we use acetone instead of sprit?
Wood Worker maybe but I wouldn't recommend the recipe that's become the standard for shellac.
I believe that would be max three percent water, not thirty.
Can be used alcohol... The ((cleaning of our hand.)) . That one used in hospital?? Can be??
I think you need nazordin drop🤔
It’s not water proof, that’s it’s weakness.
1:40
Mustaf shalac
Would 99% isopropyl alcohol work
A 2 pound cut is is 2 pounds of shellac to a gallon of alcohol
+Rory McCabe I believe it will work but is generally not recommended, and in these parts is considerably more expensive than metho/denatured alcohol.
+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins the chemicals in denatured alcohol also evaporate correct the additives that make its so poisonous you just would just vomit it if you tried drinking it
+Rory McCabe I... wouldn't try drinking metho or any rubbing alcohols, personally I'd prefer to find a nice cider.
+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins of course I was wondering do the additives in denatured alcohol evaporate out of the shellac when it drys
Are you wearing pink nail polish?
Your comment doesn't offend (nothing to be offended by), but wut?
+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins Sorry no offense intended, I'm a father of 2 girls and am regularly sporting glittery pink nails, I just noticed your fingers tip and nails were very red/pink, maybe a result of playing with shellac, just curious.
+thetik100 All good - there are many people who troll on youtube and sometimes I'm a little quick to jump the gun. And uhh, maybe its the colour configuration of your monitor or something like that, but no, I don't have particular pink nails.
If I get too much shellac on my nails, they do have a pretty shine, but its a clear shine.