Hello from melbourne

[BDG]

Hello all, I'm Brian.

I'm a hobby musical instrument maker.

I met Neil at the T&WWW exhibition in Melbourne on Sunday, where he gave a very informative tutorial on finishing. It convinced me to try the U-Beaut hard shellac for finishing rather than the Rustins Plastic Coating and Tru-Oil that I have used previously. I stumbled on this forum while looking for denatured alcohol to mix with the hard shellac.

Looking forward to learning from you all, and hopefully having some information to pass on as well.

[peterst6906]

Welcome to the forum and hope to see some of your work posted sometime.

In terms of denatured alcohol, that's the same as methylated spirits (there are also other spiking agents, but methanol is the most common), so any hardware store should have it.

Regards,

Peter

[BDG]

Thanks Peter.

Methylated spirits is not 100% - apparently the finish is compromised if the shellac is diluted with anything other than 100% alcohol.

Luckily I've found a source.

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome "Brian".
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodworking.
Cheers crowie

[tdrumnut]

Welcome to the forum

[JJF]

welcome to the forum

[Christos]

Welcome to the forum.

Methylated spirits is not 100% - apparently the finish is compromised if the shellac is diluted with anything other than 100% alcohol.

You can get away with one that is 95%, and the one that I have been using is the Diggers brand. Again hardware stores carry them. There is a way to test prior to using but I must admit I am not able to locate it. Something to do with it becoming cloudy when mixed with something.

[Therapy]

BDG

Welcome to the forum.

I have used the Ubeaut hard shellac quite a bit and always use 100% metho. I once used 95% metho by mistake and the finish was sub-standard almost milky-like (may have been due to humidity??) which I had to redo.

I would follow Neil's advice and use 100% metho or ethanol. It can be hard to find but I have been able to buy some when in Victoria from a Haymes Paint store. Search their web site for their Material Data Safety Sheet on their 100% metho and use their store locator to find a store near you.

Haymes Paint: Welcome To Haymes Paint

Regards

[Christos]

Welcome to the forum.




You can get away with one that is 95%, and the one that I have been using is the Diggers brand. Again hardware stores carry them. There is a way to test prior to using but I must admit I am not able to locate it. Something to do with it becoming cloudy when mixed with something.

I found the other thread concerning the percentage and that. I guess the one that I pick up was lucky for me. As I recall it was not very cloudy.