Shellac Flakes

[mkchoiboy]

I need to finish a guitar neck with shellac

How do you dissolve it. I've seen the flakes and they are an orange color. How much dissolvent and shellac do I need to finish a guitar neck and how long should i let it dry.

[Sir Stinkalot]

Try this little old website .....
Some Finishing Guy
You should find your answers there. I have also heard a rumor that he has released a book but I have yet to get one .... hoping for a signed copy at the Melbourne WWWS.

Stinky.

[mkchoiboy]

Originally posted by Sir Stinkalot
Try this little old website .....
Some Finishing Guy
You should find your answers there. I have also heard a rumor that he has released a book but I have yet to get one .... hoping for a signed copy at the Melbourne WWWS.

Stinky.

I live in the U.S.

Is there an international place?

[Sir Stinkalot]

I always thought that the web was international.
If you click on the link you will be directed the U-Beaut polishes home page which if you click onto shellac it will tell you most of what you need.

[Mick4412]

Mkchoiboy,
Given that you are in the States, here are some figures which may help you.
Shellac Flakes are mixed with Alcohol ( Called Methylated Spirits in Australia) in a ratio called a Cut

A 2 lb cut would be 2lb of Shellac flakes in one gallon of Alcohol
A 5 lb cut would be 5 lb of Shellac flakes in one gallon of Alcohol

For finishing work, the lighter ratio ie the 2 lb cut would be best

I use 200gm of shellac in one litre of Metho - a ratio very close to a 2lb cut

mick

[ozwinner]

Hi guys
Have any of you found that when you mix the flakes with metho, that after a while, maybe the next day or so, there is a glug on the bottom of the container?
Someone told me its water in the metho, is this correct?
Cheers, Allan

[behindblueeyes]

Being an avid guitar player myself, would shellac be durable enough for constant touch of fingers and strings?

[Mick4412]

Allan,
"glug" in the bottom of your container is most likely to be undissolved flakes. A warm environment when dissolving the flakes is a good ploy. I put my mix near, but not too close to a heater ( one of those convection ?? type), strir frequently, and put it thro' a stocking filter after I think the flakes have dissolved. Not adverse to putting the container again near the heater before use.

As to using it on a guitar neck, I would have thought that the natural oils in hands / fingers, would over time, enhance the finish. If you scratch the neck wit a fingernail, or plectrum, a touch up with French polish is no big deal

mick

[Tatts]

Originally posted by Mick4412


As to using it on a guitar neck, I would have thought that the natural oils in hands / fingers, would over time, enhance the finish. If you scratch the neck wit a fingernail, or plectrum, a touch up with French polish is no big deal

mick

A guitar neck needs a hard finish to keep oil and moisture out of the timber so it won't warp, at around 2 foot long and less than 1 inch thick + the pressure of the strings it needs all the help it can get.

[Mick4412]

Guitar necks are not an area of my expertise, atho', albeit poorly, I do play one
However, if there is a suggestion that an application of shellac will weaken the neck's strength, I am amazed.
Shellac is a finish. The neck of the guitar's strength lies in the material used. No matter what finish you put on it, some natuarl oil will be imparted
mick

[behindblueeyes]

I agree with Tatts, and would have recommended a high gloss two pack.

But I appreciate the extended knowledge of Shellac thanks Mick.