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Shellac quality
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=57111		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Dave Rickard [ Sat Jun 28, 2025 10:02 am ]
Post subject:  Shellac quality
Is there a difference in the quality of shellac flakes?
Being a cheapskate at heart (that may be my only flaw) I bought this on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Shellac-Decorati ... hdGY&psc=1
Figuring its only bug puke.
very clean and dissolved in a few hours.
I noticed my pad starting getting sticky so I added a drop of olive oil and things went a little better for a little while. Usually a drop of oil will keep me going for a session but not today. Shop temp is 68 with 49% RH
I'm no expert at French polish so this could be me having a bad day.
But is there more to shellac than dried up bug excretion?
Author:  rbuddy [ Sat Jun 28, 2025 10:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac quality
I noticed in the Amazon ad that the shellac you linked is not dewaxed.

I've always used dewaxed for French Polish but I'm not an expert in the process. Dewaxed shellac can also be used for a sealer under most other finishes.

I know folks who have dewaxed their own shellac but I think it takes a while to settle out and filter. Not sure if it is worth it to save a couple bucks.
Author:  dofthesea [ Sat Jun 28, 2025 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac quality
Do yourself a favor and us...... get your shellac from Shellac.net Ron is a great resource to the luthier community and super knowledgable.
Author:  Dave Rickard [ Sun Jun 29, 2025 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac quality
dofthesea wrote:
Do yourself a favor and us...... get your shellac from Shellac.net Ron is a great resource to the luthier community and super knowledgable.


Right there with ya dofthesea you are correct. I do let my cheapskateness get the better of me some times.

I'll re phrase my original question
"What is the difference between the shellac on shellac.net and the cheaper priced stuff I bought on Amazon?
Author:  rbuddy [ Sun Jun 29, 2025 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac quality
Well, as mentioned earlier the Amazon isn't dewaxed for one. Dewaxed is usually a little more expensive.

I started buying mine from Shellac Shack on the recommend from my bro-in-law over 10 years ago. It has always worked as advertised so I've never had reason to look elsewhere. The prices are pretty close to what you got on Amazon.

https://www.shellacshack.com/
Author:  doncaparker [ Sun Jun 29, 2025 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac quality
Differences:

1. For what we builders want to use shellac for (first coats of finish or the only finish), de-waxed is better. Things will stick to de-waxed shellac; not everything will go on top of shellac that has wax in it. You bought shellac from Amazon that has not been de-waxed. Some folks use shellac that has not been de-waxed, but most of us use de-waxed.

2. Shellac does go bad over time, even in flake form, so knowing how long it has been sitting around is pretty important. The Amazon seller won't tell you how old the shellac is, but Shellac.net or shellacfinishes.com will. You can always test the shellac to see if it has gone bad, but you might as well buy the stuff from someone who keeps track of how old it is.

3. Shellac varies based on how much it has been refined, bleached, etc. So, shellac is not all the same, even leaving aside the stuff I mentioned above. There are darker varieties, shellac that still has bug and tree bits in it, that sort of thing. Given the variety, you are better off buying higher quality and getting what you want (from the various choices).

Shellac.net is great. So is shellacfinishes.com. I trust both.
Author:  Hesh [ Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac quality
Dewaxed and waxed are very different but this is not what the thread was originally about.

I know of the supplier being discussed here too and I like him as well and think his videos are excellent.

But my dilemma is I know at least three life long luthiers who have been using the same flakes from their same jars for over 40 years. Their results are stunningly beautiful and that makes me question this idea of shellac needing to be fresh like the lactose free milk I just bought with my lactose free Beyer's ice cream.

Around ten years ago I watched one of his videos and he makes the case that shellac can be waterproof too which I question. When you have had to repair water damage to French polished (with shellac) musical instrument you would question it too.

I don't know if shellac benefits from being fresh and/or if the difference, if any is any benefit to lutherie.

I suppose what you put into the beetle has bearing on what it craps out...., it does with, well never mind.... With all this said other than being fresh if that really matters I wonder how the "quality" of shellac can vary, beetles from more affluent neighborhoods ;)
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