Shellac Solvent: Grain Alcohol vs. Denatured Alcohol

 New Additions, Product Data Sheets, Shellac Flakes  No Responses »
Apr 232023
 

Shellac Solvent:
Grain Alcohol vs. Denatured Alcohol
Bob Miller explains why you should head
to the local liquor store before mixing
and applying your next shellac finish.

Shellac is a wonderful finish with a fantastic
range of applications and possibilities. It can
range from an easy utility finish all the way
up to the finest of fine polished finishes.
Here is a way to make your shellac finishes
better and easier to use. This gets a little
scientific, but stick with me, it’s worth it in
the end.
It is very important to think about the
solvent used to dissolve the shellac. Most
people simply use commercially available
“denatured” alcohol. Denatured alcohol is
a general alcohol-based solvent used for a
variety of applications across many
industries. Mixed with shellac, it will
produce a serviceable finish. However, it has
some problems when it comes to shellac.

First, there is no industry regulation
regarding what precisely constitutes
denatured alcohol. This means that some
brands are cut with water to increase their
volume, often by as much as 20%.

Second, is that there is no way of knowing
what kind of alcohol was used to produce
the product. Some brands contain methanol,
a cheaper, more volatile, and dangerous
form of industrial alcohol that can be used
to bulk up the volume of solvent. This
inconsistency makes it difficult to predict
the behavior of the shellac both as it
dissolves and as it dries as a finish.

  

In short, denatured alcohol is an
unpredictable, dangerous, unhealthy, poor
quality solvent for shellac that will make
your finish harder to use as well as shorten
your life. Don’t worry though; I have a solution.

Prior to Prohibition here in the United
States, woodworkers would have simply
mixed their shellac with a high proof, grain
derived alcohol that contained a minimum of
water. It was only after Prohibition that all
of these denaturants were added to make
industrial alcohol undrinkable.
If you’re looking for a pure, consistent
supply of high-strength alcohol that
doesn’t contain this spectrum of
chemicals, think about the bottom shelf at
your local liquor store.
Everclear and Diesel are two brands
of nearly pure alcohol that contain less
than 5% water. They are commercially
available in most states and are the perfect
solvent for shellac, with no denaturant and
a minimum of water.
Once you switch to pure alcohol for your
shellac you will wonder how you ever got
along with denatured alcohol. Pure grain
alcohol will dissolve your shellac more
smoothly and will build your finish more
quickly. So, take a trip to your local liquor
store and pick up some solvent, give it a try
with shellac, and see what you think when
you’ve used a traditional solvent for your
traditional shellac finish.
Bob Miller is a custom furniture maker
and woodworker based in the Charles neighborhood of Boston.

Note: Everclear 190 is not available in all states.
     See below.
‘Everclear 190’ is a 190 proof Ethanol.
Everclear 190 Grain Alcohol is currently banned in 14 states that have ruled 190 Proof Everclear Is Not Legal
(2023) include:
California – only 151 proof available
= 75.5% alcohol & 24.95% water
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Washington
Everclear, (less than 190 Proof) available in the states above IS NOT Recommend for use as a solvent for shellac.
190 Everclear is a brand name of rectified spirit (also known as grain alcohol and neutral spirit) produced by the American company
Luxco (formerly known as the David Sherman Corporation).
It is made from grain and is bottled at 60%, 75.5%, 94.5% and 95% alcohol by volume (120,151, 189, and 190 U.S. proof respectively).		 Everclear 190 proof (5% distilled Water)
A good Solvent for making Shellac
is legal in 36 states.
States where ‘Everclear 190’  Is Legal
(as of 2023)
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

 

Solve LACQUER Over-Spray and Orange-Peel

 General Finishes, Mohawk Finishing Materials, New Additions, Product Data Sheets, Wood Finishing Tricks  Comments Off on Solve LACQUER Over-Spray and Orange-Peel
May 142022
 

Getting the most from your Lacquer Finishes
When & Why To Use
Flash-Off™ Control Solvent & Lacquer Blush Retarder

Lacquer Retarder helps avoid Blushing  caused by Cold Humid Wet Weather
Lacquer retarder is used to help eliminate “blushing”, the white foggy look caused by HIGH humidity or rainy and cool/cold weather. This blush sometimes is only observed in areas where the build of the coating is thicker such as bull-nosed edges.
Blush retarder keeps the finish wet longer allowing the trapped moisture to escape the coating. Another advantage is an even flow of the lacquer.
To Eliminate
Orange Peel & Over-Spray,
Use Flash-Off Control Solvent
 – The Hot Weather Additive.
Generally,
Blush Retarder Is Overused.
In cases of orange peel or overspray,
Flash-Off™ Control Solvent is the best choice to solve the problem.Flash-Off™ Control is used to improve the flow of lacquers and lacquer sealers without slowing the overall drying time.
The addition of a few ounces of Flash-Off™ Solvent per gallon of lacquer will solve orange peel and overspray roughness.
Flash-Off™ Control Solvent will improve flow and yield overall film smoothness. 		 Flash-Off Control Solvent Use:
Add 3 to 5 ounces, Flash-OFF per gallon, to Mohawk air dry nitrocellulose, pre-catalyzed and post-catalyzed lacquer coatings. More Flash-Off™ may be added, up to10% by volume if needed, but that will increase dry time.
DO NOT add Flash Off Control to water base lacquers or conversion varnishes.
(NOT for use with Shellac)

About Lacquer Thinners:
Avoid Overuse of Lacquer Thinner
Most lacquers come ready to spray. This includes Pre & Post Catalyzed, Air Dry, Instrument & Piano lacquers. If the spray gun is set properly, add Lacquer Thinner only as absolutely necessary to achieve a proper spray pattern. Adding more thinner does not help the flow-out or drying time.
Control lacquer flow-out with Flash-Off Control Solvent. If blushing is the problem, use a small percentage of blush retarder.

Lacquer solids generally are somewhere between 20% – 25% solids and formulated to be, Air Quality VOC’s (volatile organic compounds / smog pre-cursers), compliant as labeled. Adding thinner will result in a non-compliant coating. Excess thinner or reducer results in a thinner coat of finish,
thus requiring additional coats to achieve the required appearance and enough thickness to provide a protective coating.

 

The Great Properties of SHELLAC

 New Additions  Comments Off on The Great Properties of SHELLAC
Apr 182021
 

Shellac’s Great Properties

From The:
Zinsser booklet revised 2004, first published in 1913
and reprinted seventeen times throughout the years.
Shellac has such remarkable properties that if it were just recently discovered, it would be hailed as the miracle finish of the 21st century.

  • All-natural –

Shellac is an all-natural resin that is harvested regularly
and is, therefore, a renewable resource.

  • Mild alcohol odor –

Shellac is dissolved in denatured ethyl alcohol. It has a mild,
antiseptic odor that dissipates quickly as the product dries.

  • Easy to use –

Shellac is user-friendly and virtually goof-proof.
It can be applied with a brush, pad, sprayer or wiping cloth.

  • Super-fast dry time –

Shellac dries to the touch in MINUTES and, in most cases,
can be sanded or recoated in little more than half an hour.

  • Cold temperature application –

Unlike other finishes, shellac can be applied in cold temperatures
(40° F. and below) without concern over proper drying and curing.

  • Non-toxic / hypoallergenic –

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has certified shellac
as a protective glaze for candy and pharmaceuticals.

  • Non-yellowing / non-darkening –

Shellac is UV-resistant and will not yellow
or darken with age, unlike oil-base finishes.

  • Enhances the beauty of wood grain –

Shellac brings out the rich warmth of wood grain.
Finished surfaces look soft and natural, not plastic-coated.

  • Sticks to glossy surfaces and finishes –

Shellac is prized by everyone who uses it for its incredible adhesion.
It will stick to just about anything.

  • Dried film is impervious to odors –

Two or more coats of shellac will seal in any kind of odor
in any type of porous surface.

  • Stain sealer –

Shellac is one of the world’s most effective stain and knot sealers,
another reason why we use it to make B-I-N® Primer-Sealer.

  • Easy to touch up and recoat –

Unlike other finishes, shellac can be easily touched up if it is scratched or worn; a new coat of shellac melts itself into the existing coat.

  • Easy to clean up or remove –

Shellac is dissolved by household ammonia as well as alcohol,
making it very easy to clean brushes and other tools.

&
Best of all, a shellac finish looks great!
Shellac imparts a clear, hard film with a high gloss
that can be buffed to a glowing, velvety sheen.

Shellac in liquid and aerosol form is still the craftsman’s choice
as a finish for woodwork and as a protective sealer for countless uses.

Shellac.net Wood Finish Supply  •  MeritIndustries.com
Authorized Mohawk Distributor

To: Shellac Variety Listing

Common Shellac Myths

 New Additions  Comments Off on Common Shellac Myths
Apr 182021
 

Common Shellac Myths

From The:
Zinsser booklet revised 2004, first published in1913 and reprinted seventeen times throughout the years.

Myth:
Shellac is made from bugs or bug droppings.

FACT:
Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac insect
to form a cocoon, much like a silk worm.
It takes about 100,000 lac bugs to make
1 lb. of shellac resin.

Myth:
A shellac finish turns white
when water touches it.

FACT:
Fresh shellac is remarkably water-resistant
and, in most cases, will stay clear after hours
of exposure to water, making it a great finish
for most interior surfaces, including woodwork, trim,
doors, cabinets, paneling, floors (yes, floors!) and furniture.

Myth:
Shellac scratches easily and is very brittle.

FACT:
Shellac is a durable finish that is much less brittle than lacquer and does not scratch as easily. Unlike polyurethane, a damaged shellac finish can be easily touched up or renewed by applying another coat.

Myth:
Shellac turns an ugly dark color as it ages.

FACT:
Shellac is UV-resistant and does not yellow or darken with age. The dark shellac that people see in older homes is a less-refined version of shellac that either was naturally dark or was tinted by contractors when dark wood colors were preferred in the early 20th century.

Myth:
Shellac is incompatible with other finishes.

FACT:
Shellac will adhere tenaciously when applied over almost any other type of finish. When used as a sealer under certain polyurethanes, regular shellac may not be compatible because it contains a small amount of natural wax. To seal wood before applying polyurethane and other finishes, Zinsser developed Bulls Eye® SealCoat™ a shellac-base universal sealer that is 100% wax-free.

Myth:
Shellac is an old-fashioned, outdated finish.

FACT:
Shellac has more modern features and benefits
than any other wood finish in the world.

See: Shellac Variety Listing

Shellac.net Wood Finish Supply  •  MeritIndustries.com
Authorized Mohawk Distributor

 

New Item – MERIT 800 Burn-In Knife

 MERIT Industries, New Additions  Comments Off on New Item – MERIT 800 Burn-In Knife
Mar 282021
 

#800 Electric BURN-IN KNIFE – 18 watt 120 Volt
Electric Burn In KnifeThe MERIT 800 Knife is a smaller handled,
light weight, professional Burn-In Knife,
excellent for delicate work. This 120 Volt Knife features a 6 foot 2-wire neoprene
power cord and includes a wire support sand.
The mica-insulated nichrome heating element provides steady temperature and long element life
The 18 watts develops an ample temperature of 750°f. Our lighter weight knife is designed with a smaller handle, for ease of control.
The 800 knife is excellent for delicate or small repairs, especially in confined areas. – Our Favorite Electric Knife!

See more information and 800 Burn-In Kits Here

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