Colouring shellac

[Dauph]

Hi all,
Have any of you tried adding colour to shellac? If so, what did you use and how did it come out?
I'd like to have a go with something along the lines of primary red or blue to start with.
Be nice to have a bit of an idea what results are like before spending money.
Apparently you can use alcohol based dye, or mica powder.

Cheers

 

[TRITON]

Mixol
https://www.smithandrodger.co.uk/shop/p/acrylic-crackle-glaze-9ns7a-fteyc-p4ldl-b7z2n-7w459

Once you've added it, remember to stir it occasionally and well, as it tends to settle. Red is great colour, looks like you've killed someone So wear gloves in case anyone unexpectedly comes to the door.

 

[Dauph]

Mixol
https://www.smithandrodger.co.uk/shop/p/acrylic-crackle-glaze-9ns7a-fteyc-p4ldl-b7z2n-7w459

Once you've added it, remember to stir it occasionally and well, as it tends to settle. Red is great colour, looks like you've killed someone So wear gloves in case anyone unexpectedly comes to the door.

Thank you, that looks good and not hideously pricy

 

[sploo]

I've found Fiebing's leather dye to be really good. You only need a few drops, and it seems to be pretty colour fast (even for the brighter colours). Mostly I've used the browns for darkening the handles on newer (i.e. non-rosewood) hand planes.

 

[Dauph]

I've found Fiebing's leather dye to be really good. You only need a few drops, and it seems to be pretty colour fast (even for the brighter colours). Mostly I've used the browns for darkening the handles on newer (i.e. non-rosewood) hand planes.

Looks good, I'll give it a go. Thank you

 

[johnnyb]

Powder pigments can be added if your after opaque or aniline dyes work well. Liberon did small concentrated spirit colours.

 

[Cabinetman]

Plus 1 for Mixol, haven’t tried it in French Polish but it’s a doddle to add to water based poly varnish, I mixed two dyes once to get a really wicked turquoise, wonderful, but impossible to photograph for some reason.
Ian

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Don’t know if this is the right place
I have just started making my first batch of shellac.... will let you all know how it goes
8 20 pm just went and looked at my batch of shellac...... it’s like my custard. Lumpy

 

[sploo]

Don’t know if this is the right place
I have just started making my first batch of shellac.... will let you all know how it goes
8 20 pm just went and looked at my batch of shellac...... it’s like my custard. Lumpy

What's the ratio of flakes to alcohol? It does usually take a day or two to fully "melt".

 

[Dauph]

Don’t know if this is the right place
I have just started making my first batch of shellac.... will let you all know how it goes
8 20 pm just went and looked at my batch of shellac...... it’s like my custard. Lumpy

It does take a while to fully dissolve. I stir mine periodically which I think helps. I do like shellac and find it very easy to use. I have a jar each of 1lb, 2lb and 3lb cut. It definitely takes longer to dissolve the higher the ratio of flakes to spirit is

 

[kinverkid]

Another here for powder pigments. You can add the dyes to a little alcohol to dissolve first then add it to the mix with a dropper or pipette. This helps control how light or dark you want the finish to be. Some powders can be tricky to gauge. The leather dyes are also a good idea as suggested and maybe as controllable as the pre-mixed powder and alcohol.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Ratio. Unknown. I just put a bit in a jar and added the sprit lol
About a serving spoon of flakes and about the same of meths. Only bought 100g and was mixing a sm batch to judge how much how long etc
I have been using bottled shellac and do want to move to just using my own batch’s so that I can mix play with colours. And so on

 

[Fergie 307]

Another here for powder pigments. You can add the dyes to a little alcohol to dissolve first then add it to the mix with a dropper or pipette. This helps control how light or dark you want the finish to be. Some powders can be tricky to gauge. The leather dyes are also a good idea as suggested and maybe as controllable as the pre-mixed powder and alcohol.

Only thing to bear in mind is the powders add opacity as well as colour. A good or bad thing depending on what you are trying to do.
Many old clock cases have nice veneer on the front and top, the remainder of the case often being made of cheap wood treated to match. Powder pigment is really good for this sort of thing, or for hiding repairs.