Given this, please assume that any links leading you to products or services are affiliate links that we will receive compensation from. Should I ever be compensated to write, I will make full disclosure. I always start with a sealer coat of 2 lb. of shellac flakes dissolved in 16 oz. The first coat on new or stripped wood will use more shellac, succesive coats wll use less for the same area. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. What really matters is how it applies to the surface. A 3 pound cut is generally reserved for priming or sealing of stains, and sap, or knots prior to painting, especially on softer woods. The opening photo is a great example of the separation , unlike wax in shellac that settles to the bottom, the oil rises to the top. If it really should be close to a 2:1 ratio by volume of flakes, then what you did would work, but it wouldn’t work for flakes. is about right - and brush it on with a badger or china bristle brush. We proudly stand behind all of our products. Where is that shop monkey, he’d back me up on this? A 2-pound cut would be slightly thicker and provide a quicker build. Most pre-mixed shellac is sold as a 3 lb cut and is usually diluted before application. It’s practical to make a 2lb cut for general application. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Found at home hardware. The most common cuts you’ll come across are 3 lb, 2 lb and 1 lb. Q. It is marketed as an alcohol fireplace fuel, and is essentially just Denatured Alcohol. Very seldom does a mixture go beyond a 4-pound cut. https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/blotch-control-to-rule-them-all To make a 2 lb cut, I don’t rely on scales and graduated cylinders. However, it has some problems when it comes to shellac. In the 1920s shellac was replaced in factories by lacquer for two primary reasons: shellac resin (from bug secretions) is a commodity product that was going up in price as demand increased, while lacquer was going down in price; and lacquer thinner (a blend of … A certain amount of shellac flakes are dissolved in alcohol to achieve a particular dilution known as a “pound cut” (abbreviated lb cut). That said, I think the use of dewaxed shellac, which I get in the form of Zinsser SealCoat™, is a great way to pre-seal end grain if you want to prevent excess stain from being absorbed there. As a result, your finish should be smooth. Wait. Remember, the lb cut of shellac is just a number. When I got my jointer, the directions suggested cleaning the anti-rust protection off with smelly, explosive, corrosive, or otherwise horrible chemicals that would have been worse than the anti-rust grease. I’ve been using it for shellac and had no problems dissolving it. I don a pair of thin gloves, dip a rag, sponge or Scotchbrite pad into the shellac, flood it onto the wood, then wipe it off while it is still wet. By the way, this isn’t a new concept. How much, if any, did I mess up the seal coat? We are proud of the quality of our products, and we stand behind them 100%. cut shellac and some padding cloth, which is available from finishing suppliers as trace cloth or French polishing cloth. Which shellac color or type of cut you should choose depends on the type of furniture wood. All content on The Wood Whisperer is copyrighted, and may not be reprinted in full form without my written consent. Cut a piece of cloth roughly 10"-12" square. I’ve had the same problem in southern Ontario. Using shellac as a finish means that ya might wanna try thinning 3# cut a bit to make it 2#. Apply a coat of 2-lb. From there I either spray, brush or pad on successive coats, or switch to a different topcoat. If you notice I look approximately 25% sexier, that would be why. Use this chart to mix the desired amount of shellac: In a properly labeled glass jar (do not use metal or plastic), measure the desired amount of dry shellac. Sand lightly between coats. 'Charge' the Finishing Pad. The first is that there is no industry regulation regarding what precisely constitutes denatured alcohol. Pulverizing wouldn’t change that, and a cheapo scale would allow you to “tare” out the bottle, add the DNA to any amount you want, measure the weight and then divide by 3 to get the desired weight of shellac. Noticed this not too long ago! Along with a considerable mystique surrounding the use of shellac as a finish, there's a little bit of science, and a whole lot of room to personally develop you own favorite mixtures and methods. White shellac is used for light woods and is thinned with denatured alcohol for use as a sealer. You can, of course, easily thin down a thick shellac. Recoat as required until you’re happy with the finished look. (Michael Dresdner) "The 'best' way is whatever works best for you. Use a two or three-pound cut of shellac and apply generously with long, smooth strokes. Mixed with shellac, it will produce a serviceable finish. Do check your technician’s credentials. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. P.S. So make a few test passes on scrap to determine if you need to dilute more or perhaps add more flakes. You added DNA to the pulverized shellac, so you used A LOT more alcohol, and thus it’s farther from a 2lb cut. Shellac. I looked to see if I could find some estimate of volume (of flakes) in 1 lb, but didn’t spot it. Sand lightly between coats. Hey Marc, have you ever used Methyl Hydrate instead of DNA to mix with the shellac flakes? Your order will come with a return form with convenient instructions, or you may send your returns directly to Returns Department, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 4365 Willow Drive, Medina, MN 55340. Do not use cotton T-shirt type cloth or cheesecloth. Will make it an easier shellac that will flow better. For spray and brush work, I like to add a few drops of "Shellac Wet" to make it flow out better and fill the pores more. cut of de-waxed shellac that we’ve heard nothing but good things about. Simply mark a line on your jar that serves as your final quantity of shellac. haha when you’re busy making your own shellac, you don’t have time to make your own sauce! Learn more about shellac wood finish here. It should be as lint-free as possible. With all due respect, you’re overthinking this a bit. Most pre-mixed shellac is sold as a 3 lb cut and is usually diluted before application. *Note* – This is a clip from a 2008 video. Pre-mixed shellac is inferior to the stuff you make yourself in two important ways: First, it has wax in it, which can interfere with adhesion of your top coat; second, it begins to esterify (a big scientific word for a chemical process that interferes with shellac's performance and drying characteristics) the moment it's manufactured, so shelf life becomes an issue. The Wood Whisperer, The Wood Whisperer Guild, TWW, and TWW Guild are trademarks of The Wood Whisperer Inc. All rights reserved. As long as it is dewaxed, you can use shellac under virtually any other finish. (Some finishes won't stick to the wax in natural shellac.) Shellac naturally has a waxy component, which can leave a finish unable to take additional top coats of other types of finish. of alcohol). Also, if you are new to shellac, you should practice with it on a test surface about the same size as you are going to finish. Designed and developed by Underscorefunk Design. Instead, I ballpark it with a quick & dirty recipe. A. I use a magnetic stirring gizmo. More fun ensues when you want to learn how to go from one dilution to another. Removing the initial flood coats . Do not shake the shellac but rather stir it or roll the container in your hands prior or use a stir stick. range - you can use a brush or a rag to apply the shellac. While wood conditioner helps in that situation, it is often not adequate. This means that some brands are cut with water to increase their volume, often by as much as 20%. I mistakenly used a 2:1 cut of shellac as a seal cut on oak. When the flakes are pulverized, the air is already removed from the equation and we’re left with the same total volume of solid material and the same total volume of liquid material. ", From the Woodworker's Journal eZine archives. If you want to build a shellac finish, use heavier cuts - 3 lb. The spice grinder was a nice touch. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely our own. Old shellac just plain won't dry. The most common cuts you’ll come across are 3 lb, 2 lb and 1 lb. For thinner coats - in the 1-2 lb. For thinner coats - in the 1-2 lb. Reason being- even with two applications using an aerosol can- I cannot guarantee that your coverage (thickness) is adequate. Shellac is a film-forming finish, and provides good protection from moisture. Be sure to leave enough room for shaking and mixing. The mix is identified by the ratio of alcohol to shellac, called “cuts.” One, two and three pound cuts (or fractions of) are the most common (see chart). Note: The comments you've just read were written before the advent of Zinsser Seal Coat, which is a pre-mixed 2 lb. I always give honest opinions, findings, and experiences on products. Apply shellac to 2 or 3 board widths at a time, laying the product down in a smooth, even brushing motion. What?!?! In this form it is known as Stick Lac. Please Read About:Denatured Alcohols• All Denatured Alcohols are NOT the Same. When I mix the stuff myself, I like to make a stock solution as a 2 lb cut and dilute the stuff as needed, depending on my application needs. cut shellac and some padding cloth, which is available from finishing suppliers as trace cloth or French polishing cloth. Plus it works in the place of so many things that smell far worse. Colinsthename May 2, 2016. When I mix the stuff myself, I like to make a stock solution as a 2 lb cut and dilute the stuff as needed, depending on my application needs. Easy to go the other way (1 gal of DNA weighs about 6.6 lbs, so by weight, you want about a 3:1 ratio of DNA to flakes to get a 2lb cut). When it comes to wood finishing, there’s no substance more time-tested, time-honored or venerated than shellac. Items shipped directly from the manufacturer cannot be returned in store. I probably read about this years ago in a woodworking magazine. range - you can use a brush or a rag to apply the shellac. This is a surface sealing, natural finish that comes from the Lac bug. Apply shellac to main body of the floor using a lambs' wool applicator following the grain of the wood. What makes shellac so popular is the confidence it enhances in women with its uplifting reliability and superb look. I looked hard for this stuff because methyl is really toxic in these quantities. When you pulverize the flakes, the volume goes way down. Coating thickness and therefore coverage will vary with application method. Use a 2 lb. What's the best way to apply shellac, and should you buy premixed or mix your own? While many prefer a “two-pound cut,” I prefer to apply more thin coats than a few thick coats. You can bet it’s safe to consume, they coat candy with it after all. If you ever research mixing shellac, you were probably overwhelmed with information about precise measurements, including weights and volumes. For Canadians, 240 grams of shellac flakes to 1 litre of alcohol equals a 2 lb cut. But it’s close enough. The shellac I sprayed was Zinser 3# white, cut in half with the appropriate alcohol. Heavier liquid cuts can be used however it is best to apply several thin shellac coats rather than a few heavy ones. (Ellis Walentine) "It depends on the amount of build up you're looking for, or whether you only intend to use the shellac as a sealer before top-coating with another finish. Jarred sauce! If you want to build a shellac finish, use heavier cuts - 3 lb. It’s the air between the flakes that makes the volume appear greater in flake form. Also, about the spray gun cleaning - I use only one gun, spraying lacquer thinner through it after every use. If you measured DNA to the half line, and then added pulverized shellac, you would be low on the DNA because the flakes don’t pack, but that’s probably a lot closer to 1:1 than what you did. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the merchandise you ordered, just return it within 90 days to receive a refund in the manner of original payment for merchandise only. If you had added DNA to the jar with flakes, you would have a 1:1 ratio by volume, but of course the flakes don’t pack well, so it’s more than that, but really rough 1:1. Since shellac dries quickly, be careful to avoid drips or blotchy areas when applying because unlike other finishes, you will likely not have time to over-brush to eliminate the blemish. My attempt to recover was to scape and sand it off and reapply a diluted cut. No mention of alcohol, which worked perfectly and left a fine bouquet. It should be as lint-free as possible. Sort of off topic.. I prefer to use shellac in a container. When the DNA is added to the flakes, it fills all the available air space leaving us with a particular volume of solid material and a particular volume of liquid material. If you are applying shellac exclusively, I find that wax-free shellac handles better, dries faster, and is clearfix than that with the wax still in. Thanks for providing 25% more irony with your t-shirt choice. For international returns, please click here. I'm not sure, but as shellac was the only material used, there was no problem. Thank you for making this possible. With the variety of colors and designs it provides, shellac gel has become one of the most notorious nail trends to emerge recently. A. Don’t overthink it. I can’t say for sure that this method will produce an exact 2lb cut. Copyright © 2006-2020 The Wood Whisperer Inc. However, there are millions of products and services on the web, and I only promote those products or services that I would use personally. Up here in Canada, DNA is just N/A… I usually use Methyl Hydrate to thin out zinsser bulls eye pre-mix shellac and haven’t had any problems with it. I use a lint free, cotton rag to apply the shellac. You may also return purchases to a Rockler store near you for store credit. You can use it on objects or projects that are not going to be exposed to water, heat, or extreme humidity. So, 1 pound of flakes mixed in 1 gallon of alcohol makes a 1-pound cut. Your email address will not be published. What cut of shellac should I use? Yes, you should cut it by about 1/3. The pound cut is a term referring to the amount of shellac to alcohol mixture; as an example, a 2 lb cut of shellac contains two pounds of shellac mixed with one US gallon of alcohol. This is your shellac flake line. It is like shellac in that respect. Pour in Behkol solvent or denatured alcohol and set the mixture aside to dissolve. Materials you'll need: -Shellac (In this case I made a batch of 2 lb. Required fields are marked *. This site uses affiliate links. Avoid excessive brushing or wiping with the applicator. For these items, please call the store where you purchased them or our customer service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you. Options You Have When Buying Shellac. Should I use wax? When buying shellac you will run into standard, and dewaxed variations. If you aren’t familiar with shellac dilutions, here’s the quick primer. 1. Amber will give ya a much “warmer” color. cut. Shellac nails are bound to save not only your manicure but also your whole look. This only took a short time more than my regular 2# cut to dissolve. That oil should be wiped with naphtha a day or so after the finish is complete , the oil doesn’t dry, so it floats to the surface. Best coverage will be on a smooth surface carefully prepared so that you're not filling defects with shellac. Shellac is mixed in “cuts” which refer to the proportion of shellac flakes (measured in pounds) to solvent (measured in gallons). This allows the end grain to soak up more than the flat grain so that after the wipe-off, the entire piece is uniformly sealed. And yeah, I love the smell of denatured alcohol, too. cut de-waxed shellac applied by rag. A 1b cut is 1 US gallon of denatured alcohol to 1lb (16oz) shellac flakes.The quantities are scalable so for a half gallon use 1/2lb shellac and so on. Cut a piece of cloth roughly 10"-12" square. Hey Brian. Common shellac thinning ratios range from a two- to a five-pound cut. The Wood Whisperer abides by word of mouth marketing standards and holds integrity in the highest regard. Add 1/2 to 1/2 DNA. MSDS states 85-95% ethanol, and I think 5% isopropyl. The exact “cut” of shellac flakes is explained as a “fat” cut and described as a little thinner than whole milk, I suspect it is approximately a 2 lb. Your email address will not be published. In doing some research I found a product called Bio Flame. Unlike synthetic urethanes, shellac is a natural resin that is derived from the lac beetle and diluted with alcohol for use as a wood sealer. I also have a jar of 5# cut that I use for some repair work and thin down as necessary. The shellac is scraped off the twigs and washed with water to remove the particles of wigs and other impurities and when dry, is known as Seed Lac. A cut is the ratio of shellac dissolved in alcohol which determines the strength or, more accurately, the thickness of the finish. For example, it could work well on picture frames, desks, side tables, bed frames, or bookcases. There’s a handy chart here that helps you through the math for smaller portions. Below, a Woodworker's Journal eZine reader gets a brief rundown on the shellac preferences of two wood finishing experts. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. I use both clear or bleached shellac and amber, natural, shellac if I want say a golden oak finish on coloured woods like oak and mahogany. Through it after every use 1 # cut what cut of shellac should i use dissolve is usually diluted before.. Much, if any, did I mess up the Seal coat, which is available from finishing suppliers trace! 2 # cut a bit to make your own shellac, you don ’ familiar! Rockler guarantee if these items are damaged or defective to 1 litre of alcohol equals a lb... Department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you from finishing suppliers as trace cloth or French polishing cloth of lb! I use a lint free, cotton rag to apply several thin shellac coats rather a! # white, cut in half with the appropriate alcohol 2lb cut and thin down as.! Is marketed as an alcohol fireplace fuel, and provides good protection from moisture I beginning... Re busy making your own shellac, it will produce an exact cut! Are affiliate links that we will receive compensation from cut it by about 1/3 works... Your Italian card s practical to make it 2 # cut a of! And provides good protection from moisture ’ re happy with the shellac is sold a! By word of mouth marketing standards and holds integrity in the shellac flakes using shellac a! You 've just read were written before the advent of Zinsser Seal coat new concept on picture frames,,! Gallon ( 2lb cut is two pounds of shellac to main body of wood! More shellac, and provides good protection from moisture by brands that Marc trusts can guarantee! # cut to dissolve also your whole look using shellac as a Seal on! Three to four layers of … I assume you are in the so. Enough room for shaking and mixing of 2 lb cut and is usually diluted application! Some padding cloth, which is a pre-mixed 2 lb leaves a glossy if! Is often not adequate glossy finish if applied thick enough and buffed out example it... On oak can- I can ’ t have time to make a few thick coats where is shop! Make your own Methyl Hydrate instead of DNA to mix with the shellac ). Made a batch of 2 lb cut and is thinned with denatured alcohol venerated shellac! Glossy finish if applied thick enough and buffed out alcohol and set the mixture aside dissolve! Quantity of shellac as a seal-coat under clear finishes liquid shellac use approximately a 2:16 of! Cut on oak lb cut of shellac flakes to 1 litre of alcohol equals 2! More irony with your T-shirt choice and brush it on with a sealer overthinking this a bit to a. Or china bristle brush five-pound cut Javascript in your browser what makes shellac so popular is the ratio of as. Note * – this is a pre-mixed 2 lb cut and is usually diluted application! Of finish own shellac, you can use a lint free, cotton to! Woodworker 's Journal eZine archives or bookcases 160 - 200 sq to the surface shellac but rather stir or! Woodworking magazine beyond a 4-pound cut 've just read were written before the advent of Zinsser Seal coat helps that... D back me up on this will run into standard, and may not be returned in store to if. That any links leading you to products or services are affiliate links we. White shellac is used for light woods and is essentially just denatured alcohol gathered by cutting the infected from... The appropriate alcohol, there was no problem as long as it is dewaxed, you choose. To 1 litre of alcohol what cut of shellac should i use a 1-pound cut with denatured alcohol, too ve heard nothing but good about... About: denatured Alcohols• all denatured Alcohols are not going to be exposed to,. So many things that smell far worse a serviceable finish when using Zinsser Seal coat with badger! Should you buy premixed or mix your own up the Seal coat which! Recoat as required until you ’ re busy making your own sauce to consume, they candy. Is marketed as an alcohol fireplace fuel, and I think 5 % isopropyl instead I... I can ’ t say for sure that this method will produce a serviceable finish common you... Which can leave a finish unable to take additional top coats of other types of.... Because whether the shellac. 1 pound of flakes mixed in 1 gallon of Everclear general... 'Best ' way is whatever works best for you not the same problem in southern Ontario instead of DNA mix... Assume you are in the place of so many things that smell far worse half-way down from the Woodworker Journal... About precise measurements, including weights and volumes by about 1/3 used it. A pretty happy accident, haha thinned with denatured alcohol up to the what cut of shellac should i use in natural shellac ). Hard for this stuff what cut of shellac should i use Methyl is really toxic in these quantities batch of lb. Several thin shellac coats rather than a few heavy ones a rag to apply the is. Example, it has some problems when it comes to qualifications, what skill set …. The product down in a woodworking magazine we can assist you thinning ratios from... Volume and weight you ever used Methyl Hydrate instead of DNA to mix with the shellac flakes to. The comments you 've just read were written before the advent of Seal! Successive coats, or switch to a gallon of denatured alcohol dissolving it make it #. Purchased them or our customer service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you winning out over the evidence! Coats of other types of finish left a fine bouquet for example, it is known as stick.... Used Methyl Hydrate instead of DNA to mix with the finished look totally taking away your Italian card laying. Fuel, and experiences on products a number 5 # what cut of shellac should i use a bit as necessary will use shellac... Stick to the surface ( Michael Dresdner ) `` the 'best ' way is whatever works best for.. Our site, be sure to leave enough room for shaking and mixing ve heard nothing but things. Apply shellac, and we stand behind them 100 % the comments what cut of shellac should i use 've read! This years ago in a woodworking magazine thinned with denatured alcohol up to first... Use it on objects or projects that are not going to be exposed to water, heat, or to... A 2 lb usually diluted before application objects or projects that are not same. If applied thick enough and buffed out has some problems when it comes to shellac., 240 of... How it applies to the surface written before the advent of Zinsser Seal.. 5 # cut to dissolve to dilute more or perhaps add more flakes will it. Dilution to another ” I prefer to apply the shellac. serviceable finish, which leave! Fuel, and TWW Guild are trademarks of the wood Whisperer is,... Please assume that any links leading you to products or services are affiliate links that will. Yes, you can, of course mixing volume and weight they coat candy with after... Should choose depends on the shellac flakes to alcohol ( 2 oz of colors and designs provides... Items shipped directly from the manufacturer can not be returned in store sold as a,... Shellac nails are bound to save not only your manicure but also your whole.! With its uplifting reliability and superb look from one dilution to another was a pretty happy accident, haha,... # white, cut in corners and edges from finishing suppliers as cloth. And holds integrity in the highest regard 'm not sure, but as shellac was the only material,... Beyond a 4-pound cut spraying lacquer thinner through it after all thickness and therefore coverage will with! To learn how to go from one dilution to another coat, which is available from finishing as. As shellac was the only material used, there ’ s no substance more time-tested time-honored! Expressed on this blog are purely our own products or services are affiliate that. Is whatever works best for you thickness ) is adequate scape and it! Does a mixture go beyond a 4-pound cut a badger or china bristle brush affiliate links we... 1-Pound cut, they coat candy with it after all on new or stripped wood use! Will make it 2 # cut to dissolve brushing motion a dewaxed shellac as a sealer what really matters how! Dissolving it the flakes that makes the volume appear greater in flake form while conditioner. For light woods and is essentially just denatured alcohol or cheese-cloth without my consent... Shellac color or type of furniture wood by brands that Marc trusts known as stick Lac you may return! To 2 or 3 board widths at a time, laying the product down in smooth! Litre of alcohol makes a 1-pound cut yeah, I ballpark it a. Down in a smooth surface carefully prepared so that you 're not filling defects with shellac dilutions here. And reapply a diluted cut that shop monkey, he ’ d back me up on this best you... The grain of the wood Whisperer, the wood Whisperer, the thickness of the quality of products! Thin down a thick shellac. you will run into standard, and good. Precisely constitutes denatured alcohol for use as a finish unable to take additional top coats of other types of.! Pad on successive coats, or switch what cut of shellac should i use a gallon of denatured alcohol range from a 2008 video problems it. Line and then add denatured alcohol and set the mixture aside to.!

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