Shellac

[coffenup]

Hi guys but does shellac flakes go off in the airtight bucket they came in

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[Xanthorrhoeas]

I buy shellac in buttons, not flake, and the buttons are very stable. My belief is that flake, in an airtight bucket, will last virtually forever. Out in the air you can expect it to oxidise somewhat. However, shellac finishes last for hundreds (maybe thousands) of years so, once dry, shellac is very stable indeed.

The big problem seems to be when you make up the shellac in alcohol (denatured or not) and then keep it in bottles with lots of air. My solutions last for years with no air in the bottle. The experts may disagree but that is my experience over 60+ years.

David

[coffenup]

David .
Thanks for the reply I used mentholated spirits to mix it with and it is still grany looking after 2 days thats the reason for my question. i have not opened the bucket in 3 years and the lid was hard down
Regards Michael

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Hi Michael,

The problem may be the metho (though it should be called denatured alcohol/ethanol or some such name as they no longer add methyl alcohol to it). Alcohol is hygroscopic, that means it absorbs water vapour from the air if the bottle is unsealed. Also, some suppliers mix up to 20% water with their ethanol. When you make up a mix with bad alcohol you need to dispose of it as I don't know any way to fix it.

I've never had any problem with standard green shed Diggers brand metho, but I have read on these forums that their MSDS allows for a significant water content - but that may just be to cover themselves. There are also suppliers (much more expensive) of guaranteed pure metho if the situation is critical.

If you don't need a large quantity of shellac you can purchase high quality ready-made shellac concentrate solutions from UBeaut and other suppliers. I have used some of the UBeaut offerings and am very happy with them, I've never tried other brands.

David

[Lappa]

Coles metho is labelelled 95%.min v/v ethanol.Works great with my shellac.

[Alkahestic]

Most paint stores will have 100% Methylated Spirits in 4L containers for $20-$30.

[coffenup]

Most paint stores will have 100% Methylated Spirits in 4L containers for $20-$30.

No the local paint store only carries diggers brand

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[Alkahestic]

No the local paint store only carries diggers brand

That's more than a bit unfortunate. I've found 100% methylated spirits at Haymes outlets and Paint Place. Try giving Haymes a call.

[coffenup]

Went to solver paint store a better brand of methods . But while I was there picked up a new 20 lt steel paint can for the dust colector

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