Shellac flakes

[memzey]

Hi - I'm thinking about mixing my own shellac and wondered where most people bought their flakes from? I'm probably going to want something de-waxed and relatively dark - most likely button or garnet.

 

[marcros]

i used dictum tools. they seemed well priced and were de-waxed. some others may well be too, but it wasnt clear to me whether that was the case.

https://www.dictum.com/en/surfaces/surf ... llac-250-g
https://www.dictum.com/en/surfaces/surf ... llac-250-g

not what you want, but the astra is a nice colourless finish for light timbers.

 

[Gerard Scanlan]

Workshop heaven sell very nice quality shellac flakes.

 

[memzey]

Thanks for the responses guys, much appreciated.

I find it interesting that only the two of you responded. I wonder if that is an indication that most people don't mix their own shellac and buy the ready made stuff instead? What do you think?

 

[undergroundhunter]

I buy mine pre mixed.

Matt

 

[Selwyn]

I buy it from toolstation but no idea if it's the real deal

 

[Gerard Scanlan]

Dissolving your own flakes in alcohol is much preferable to buying premixed, because you know how long ago it has been mixed. It is very easy to do and is such an integral part of French polishing and applying shellac I would not be intimidated by it. You can leave the flakes to dissolve in alcohol overnight if you are not in a hurry or shake them in a jar with the alcohol (good method when you unexpectedly run out) which takes about half an hour. You can keep the flakes in a dry dark place for decades. The mixed up shellac solution lasts between 6 and 12 months before it begins to deteriorate. You can brush on shellac to seal any unexposed areas of a piece you are going to finish with something else. And if you give a drawer a coat of shellac it does not become smelly after a while unlike most varnishes.

 

[Shrubby]

I use Mylands flakes - 500g is the smallest size though
Matt

 

[marcros]

one other tip is to buy a very good quality brush if you plan to brush it on. the price will cause you to draw breath but it will last for years and years.

i got mine from Rosemary and co- you need to state that it is for brushing shellac, and they knew exactly what i needed. if was quite a but cheaper than anywhere else that i found