1. WFSRestoration, Repair, & Finishing Supplies LIBERON / Star Wood Finish Supply, P.O. Box 86, Mendocino, CA 95460 707-962-9480Shellac FlakeSeed Lac: balance of the alcohol. The consistency of shellac isdetermined by cut. A 3 lb. cut would be 3 lbs. of shellac Warm Neutral Brown, unprocessed, excellent flakes per one gallon of high quality Denatured Alcohol for older antique restorations and repairs.solvent. If you have never worked with shellac before it isButton Lac: (Genuine Buttons) recommended that you start with a light consistency, Golden Light Brownish Amber on darkerpreferably about a 1 lb. cut (1 lb. of flake to 1 Gal.; woods - least refined, used on old antiques. -- or [1/4 lb. in a Qt.] of Denatured Alcohol).To mix 1 pint of 1 Lb. cut liquid shellac use approximatelyGarnet Lac: a 2:16 ratio of shellac flakes to alcohol (2 oz. of shellac flakes Deep Rich Brownish with a warm cast. dissolved in 16 oz. of alcohol). Heavier liquid cuts can beDewaxed Garnet: used however it is best to apply several thin shellac coats Deep Rich Brown-Red cast.rather than a few heavy ones.Lemon Yellow / Orange:After the shellac is fully dissolved, it should be strainedthrough a fine mesh cheese cloth to remove any impurities. general purpose light yellow creamy colour.Shellac is made from the lac bug and a few bits of bugDewaxed Lemon Yellow: carcass are often left particularly in Seed Lac. Before the general purpose rich yellow-orange colour. liquid shellac is used, it should be shaken or stirredBLONDE Dewaxed: thoroughly and allowed to stand for a few hours. Afterdissolving, the different flake colours may be intermixed Light Pale Transparency.to obtain various colours or shades of shellac.PLATINA Dewaxed Extra LITE Pale Platinum Blonde Transparent. Application(For padding application see: French Polishing information)Needed for mixing:When applying as an undercoater prior to other finishes use high grade Denatured Alcohol.a dewaxed shellac. Shellac should be applied in long strokesTo Aid Brushing:with the grain. On larger projects or in hot weather a littleshellac retarder will help flowout and minimize brushstrokes. Shellac Retarder to slow dryingDip a good natural bristle brush about half way into the & to help eliminate brushmarks.shellac and gently clear excess shellac against the side of theShellac is an excellent quick drying, non waterproof, finish. container, this gives a reasonably filled brush for full strokesShellac requires experience in order to be able to use it to itswithout incorporating air in the shellac. Shellac should befull potential. Flake form allows fresh quality shellac to be sanded between coats. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly. Ifprepared and avoid waste. Use shellac to seal in sap, resin,the shellac is dry, sanding will produce a fine powder on thegrease or oil marks after cleaning and prior to painting or surface. If the shellac is not dry it will be somewhat tacky tolacquering. Thinned shellac makes an excellent stain barriersand and the paper will clog. After sanding, wipe the piececoat or hold out coat especially on soft woods and difficult or thoroughly with a tack cloth and recoat. Depending uponend grain prior to staining. Test all mixed shellac for dryingtemperature and humidity conditions, allow from two to fourif several months old. If the surface stays tacky after 8 hours hours drying for each coat. Some craftsmen prefer to do theirand does not sand freely without gumming, the shellac is oldfinish sanding of the raw wood after first giving it a coat ofand will not dry and must be discarded. shellac since this stiffens the wood fibers and allows anyrough portions to be fully sanded off.Dissolving & Mixing After the desired number of coats has been applied, theMix in a dark plastic or glass container with a tightly fitting finish can be rubbed with LIBERON #0000 oil free & longlid. Store in a cool and dark place if a clear container is used. stranded Steel Wool or fine pumice with paraffin oil.Soak the flake shellac in about 1/2 of the total alcohol to beRubbing should always be done with the grain. 48 - 96 hoursused for 24 hours or longer (cool room temperatures willafter the final rubbing, to protect your shellac finish, apply aslow the process; pulverize the button shellac to speed thin coat of LIBERON Black Bison paste wax. Allow thedissolving) stir occasionally and when dissolved add thewax to dry completely and buff with a soft cotton cloth. 8/19/00