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Thread: Shellac, tell me all you know!
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3rd March 2008, 10:10 AM #76
"Industrial Metho"
Just some comments for the record, coming from someone who has just recently taken to FP, (self taught) after doing a lot of research and experimentation.
Ethanol, (which is sold in Oz as 'metho'), is formed by fermentation, and will naturally only reach about 15% alcohol. To concentrate this, it would be distilled over a rectification column. Due to the fact that ethanol forms a constant boiling "or azeotrope" mixture with water, the highest purity which can be reached like this is 95% ethanol. This is the normal "industrial metho" available. (In more modern times, most metho is manufactured by catalytic conversion, but the limitations on purity remain, for the most part.)
It is also the only "high test" metho which would have been available at the time that French Polishing was the classical standard of fine finishes.
Higher purities require technology more recent. In addition, unless kept in perfectly sealed containers, these will rapidly absorb water vapour from the atmosphere, until they also settle at 95%.
95% is perfectly suitable for all parts of shellac use. What one has to watch out for is that a lot of "metho" which is sold (through retail trade, chain hardware etc) actually carries no specification, and can be, and often is, significantly below this level. Neil has previously posted a quick test to check if metho is pure enough for shellac, in an exhaustative thread on metho last year.
I have done some looking around for "industrial metho" and where I have found it, it comes with a specification (on the drum) on 95% ethanol. By buying this, you are at least sure that you are getting material good enough for your requirements.
hope this helpsLast edited by Alastair; 3rd March 2008 at 10:12 AM. Reason: typo
Alastair
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3rd March 2008, 10:33 AM #77Hewer of wood
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Thanks Alastair.
In Vic Mitre 10 often have or can get in 'industrial' meths made by Sceneys.Cheers, Ern
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8th March 2008, 08:59 AM #78
Thanks Alistair
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9th March 2008, 11:36 AM #79Intermediate Member
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One of the things I love about shellac is that you can get so many different kinds of finishes from the one product. Whether it be sprayed, brushed, wiped, rubbed or however you like to apply it, a finish like no other is relatively easily achievable. When you talk to "experts" it is often quite amusing to hear how many different forms the best method of application takes (and how wrong everyone else is).
My five cents worth is to remember it is not paint, if you try to use it like paint it will only frustrate you.
It is the easiest polish to use but can also be the hardest at the same time.
If you have a method that works for you then use it.
Always be open to new ideas as sometimes even a small change in your perfect method can yeild some great results.
I have been using shellac professionally for nearly 25 years now but would never claim to be an expert or to know all there is to know. I still surprise myself occasionally when I learn something new or try a new method.
And if you dont like how your finish came out, just wash it off with meths.
Hhhmmm, think that might have been 30 cents worth.
Anyhow, never be too afraid to experiment with how you apply shellac as you wont find a more forgiving polish.
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9th March 2008, 04:56 PM #80Happy Feet
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Excellent 30 cents worth
Astrid
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14th March 2008, 12:13 AM #81New Member
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A shellac related question.
I'm doing up a second hand desk and it has a fairly big dint (about 8mm deep) in the top that I will need to fill. The desk top is made of plywood and I'm wondering what I can use to fill the hole. I have an idea of using some of the wood just mixed with shellac and painted on in thin layers.
Are there any downsides to do this? Will the fill end up darker than the surrounding wood?
The desk is for a child so while it needs to be functional and I want it to look good, it's very cheap and I'm not worried about trying out new techniques on it.
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14th March 2008, 07:00 PM #82
Get a plug cutter and cut a plug from an area of the desk that is out of sight (underneath). Insert the plug into the hole then just fill any remaining fine imperfections. I'm assuming the hole is reasonably small of course.
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15th March 2008, 02:19 AM #83New Member
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Groggy - Thanks for the info and link on the plugs. I am a real novice so wasn't even aware of the concept. The plugs look like a lot of fun...I could just imagine doing something decorative with different types of wood.
I didn't mention that I'm taking part in a "no spend" challenge so I was hoping to use items already at home.
I actually tried the shellac mixed with wood dust a bit earlier. It has worked really well though it's darker than the surrounding wood. The fill fits in quite well with the wood grain colour (even after finishing). For an even better colour match, in the future, I would try white shellac. At least the fill I used looks better than the existing, almost white plug on the side of the cabinet.
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