Just read that a lot of old school guys used to mix their own shellac from flakes

I was reading an old trade book from the library, one from the 70s, and it said most cabinetmakers back then never bought pre-mixed shellac. They'd get the flakes and dissolve them in denatured alcohol themselves to control the cut. I always just grabbed a can from the store. It got me thinking about how much control you lose with the ready-made stuff. Has anyone here still got a recipe they use for a specific project?

2 comments

2 Comments

kevin_carr1mo ago

Sounds like @rodriguez.jordan's buddy just got a bad can.

rodriguez.jordan1mo ago

A buddy of mine restored an antique dresser last year and ran into trouble with store-bought shellac. It dried with a cloudy finish that just looked wrong. He ended up talking to an older woodworker who walked him through mixing a two-pound cut from garnet flakes. The color match was perfect, and it taught him how fresh the mix really needs to be for a clear coat.