Yes, you can measure out two pounds of flakes for each
gallon of alcohol to make a "2 pound cut", or do the math
for smaller amounts (2 ounces shellac per cup of alcohol
in kitchen terms). But it is not really necessary. Here's
the simple, no-measure method I use for mixing shellac.
Start with a tightly lidded jar large enough to mix the
amount you need. Mark a "fill line" on the jar indicating
how much shellac you want to make. Now mark a line halfway
to your fill line. Put in shellac flakes up to this halfway
line, then pour in denatured alcohol all the way to the
fill line. Screw the lid on securely and shake the mixture
frequently - whenever you think of it - for the next few
hours. Leave it overnight, stir it well in the morning,
and you'll have ready to use shellac in about a 2 pound
cut. If you want it thinner, simply add more alcohol. Thicker?
Either add more shellac or just leave the lid off for an
hour or so and let some of the alcohol evaporate. You can
mix shellac as thick or as thin as you like working with
it, and it still forms shellac when it dries.
Want an easier way? Zinsser now sells pre-mixed dewaxed
shellac in a 2 lb cut, the ideal for most finishing application,
in a format that flows better and has a far longer shelf
life (3 years minimum) than what you mix yourself. It is
called "Bulls Eye SealCoat." Now
that this has come out, I may never mix shellac flakes
again.
|
