shellac retardant

[old_picker]

in usa they have aproduct called "shellac wet"
any one have any idea what it is?
shellac wet apparently increases the open time
i have read a little turps can help

[Woodwould]

Correct, most commercial retarders are basically turps. Adding 5-10ml of turps per litre of meths when making the polish works well. You can also add turps to ready made polish.

[ubeaut]

If you can get it you are best to use n Butanol which is most likely what is used in the US product you saw and what is used commercially for retardant.

Mineral turpentine works but can cause problems especially if too much is incorporated into the shellac.

[ubeaut]

n Butanol is added at the rate of 6% per volume of metho ie: to a 500ml bottle of our shellac (white, dewaxed or regular) you would add the following:

Full strength shellac 3ml to 500ml
Half strength add 6ml per 500ml
If you mix your own shellac then it's to add it to the premixed solution, not add at the time of mixing.

The beauty of it is this - if you spray and get a bubble that bursts it will have time to settle rather than leaving a pockmark, also gives time for brush marks to settle out.

Probably better to get really good brushes rather than use the retarder for brushing shellac. Click here.

Hope the above makes sense.

Cheers - Neil