Shellac

Ray · 2011-07-11T18:31:01+00:00

Look what I found http://www.shellac.net/ I plan to order from them in the not too distant future so if anyone is interested give me a shout. Seem to be quit...

Shellac

zohn

Wizard wrote:
zohn wrote:
Wizard wrote: The source is more weird than you'd imagine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shellac
Why weird Wiz?
Perhaps the excretions of a Thailand female lac bug are not the first place you'd look for wood finishing products.
?

Ah right! - I thought you referred to the URL-link (as in source) :-[
This makes one wonder how many other natural finishes, glues etc there are that we don't know about...

makepeace

Hi Ray, have you ordered from these guys yet and/or still planning to?

Ray

You know, I tried. I contacted the guy and he was not keen. He wanted me to find someone shipping a container over and then pop it in there. I actually did make a few enquiries but I didnt pursue it. He just had some really nice things on his site.

makepeace

Ah, that's a terrible pity. There are some lekker things on there.

Does anyone know if that Hardware place sells dewaxed shellac? I know they have 3 colours, but not sure if they have options on dewaxed or not. Otherwise, anyone know where to get this stuff in the Cape?

selbydoodl

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Ray - you can get shellac flakes locally from the good woodworking shops. Then you just need methyl alcohol to dissolve them.

@ Zohn - the mixed product has a shelf life, but flakes last for years.

Hi Alan, just wondering if you know where I can find a place to buy shellac flakes near Milnerton?

Wizard

selbydoodl wrote: Hi Alan, just wondering if you know where I can find a place to buy shellac flakes near Milnerton?

Hardware Centre, bottom of Bree Street is not too far from Milnerton.

AlanRatcliffe

selbydoodl wrote: Hi Alan, just wondering if you know where I can find a place to buy shellac flakes near Milnerton?

Not off hand no... My old supplier in the SS has closed so I have to find a new source sometime too. ☹ Have you tried Hardware Centre in town?

Ray

Hardware Center in Randburg has. But I also saw a whole bunch in the Benoni Mica the other day. The clear and amber/caramael stuff. But I dont know how long it's been there. So if there is a big Mica anywhere near you take a look.

selbydoodl

Hi All,

I got kilo from the states - more than I need.

If anyone wants any just PM me.

selbydoodl

I just brought in kilo of flakes - more than I need, so if somoeone wants some PM me and we can get to gether.

AlanRatcliffe

I was actually just talking to someone about French Polishing today. Tell me more - is it blonde, button, dewaxed, etc?

Chris-Mason

One can get Shellac locally, I have seen it a hardware center in JHB and as far as I know they have a store in Cape Town as well.
Saddle and Nut

Attila

Try Hardware center along Malibongwe Drive, Julian and his brothers has been in this business since I was a kid

They are woodworking specialist suppliers and lots of stuff you will not find anywhere else

http://www.hardwarecentre.co.za/web/

Wizard

I bought some blonde shellac flakes today at Hardware Centre in Cape Town.
Want to experiment.
I can't find denatured alcohol anywhere; but apparently methylated spirits will work.
(meths is alcohol denatured with methanol).

Will report on progress.

AlanRatcliffe

The problem with meths is the colourant. Just ask your local pharmacy to get you any high proof alcohol - ethyl or methyl. You'll pay more as it will be medical grade, but at least it is available.

Wizard

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: The problem with meths is the colourant. Just ask your local pharmacy to get you any high proof alcohol - ethyl or methyl. You'll pay more as it will be medical grade, but at least it is available.

Thanks. Will try that.

While you are being so usually useful, do you know where I can find "pure turpentine".
i.e. the stuff they get from pine trees.

And not mineral turpentine / white spirits
i.e. the stuff they get as a castoff from petrol making.

Wanting to make my own beeswax polish by mixing beeswax and "pure" turpentine.

Wizard

90% proof alcohol at the pharmacy is 140 ront for 500ml.
"Lacquer thinners" at the hardware is 23 ront for 750ml.
Bought some of the latter. Let's see if it works.

I understand that the role of the thinners is to dissolve the shellac, then evaporate away completely leaving only the shellac behind.

AlanRatcliffe

Shellac doesn't dissolve in thinners (I've tried). You'd get better results from a good vodka. ?

No idea on pure turps either.

Ray

You can get uncolored meths. At hardware center they used to have some but I havent been there for a long while. otherwise make some stasie meths with bread. Now that you mention the vodka, i tried but with cane spirit. made me awful constipated though.

Wizard

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Shellac doesn't dissolve in thinners (I've tried). You'd get better results from a good vodka. ?

No idea on pure turps either.

I got some meths too.
Apparently filtering it with brown bread removes the color.
:roflmao: