Storage of the dry flakes should be a few years. Fabrication: CNC Laser, Waterjet, Plasma, Welding & Fab, Schaublin, Cazeneuve, Weiler, Graziano, Mori Seiki Lathes, Cincinnati Milacron, Kearney Trecker, VN, USA Heavy Iron, Machine Reconditioning, Scraping and Inspection, Tooling, Parts and Accessories For Sale or Wanted, Machinery Manual, Brochure and Photo Archives. Brewing up your own batch when it is needed will save money while giving you control over the product. However, there’s one danger to shellac: the shelf life. I know Meths has a shelf life. Always dissolve shellac as and when needed. This website or its third-party tools process personal data (e.g. There’s disagreement among woodworkers over what this shelf life is exactly: six months, one year, three years? I've always thought that if the shellac dissolved and then dried hard enuf to sand it was ok. And I know I've used some stuff that was WAY older than 2 years. The ideal temperature is between 65-70 degrees F. Once the dry flakes are dissolved in ethyl alcohol (ethanol), a chemical process known as esterification begins. Liquid shellac has a limited shelf life (about 1 year), so is sold in dry form for dissolution before use. In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by sending us an email via our Contact Us page. Site Designed & Maintained by Dreamz Interactive. When applied, it will be sticky and slow drying. Once dissolved in alcohol, shellac does not last more than 6-9 months at the most. I've always thought that if the shellac dissolved and then dried hard enuf to sand it was ok. And I know I've used some stuff that was WAY older than 2 years. It will get to the point that it will not dissolve in alcohol. The next day there was a glob in the bottom of the jar which won't dissolve no matter what I do. What Is Shellac Anyway? Even if Shellac flakes are stored in a cool, dark and dry place, but older than 2 years (thumb rule), it will not dissolve completely in alcohol overnight when compared to fresh stock. So when buying shellac, if you go to a store and you find some in the way back of the shelf covered with dust… you may not want to purchase it. Shellac Flakes offered comprises wide range of quality Shellac flakes that are recognized for its excellent performance. When applied, it will be sticky and slow drying. Shellac is a gift from the insect world to woodworkers everywhere. If shellac is used after this date, make sure that it dissolves completely in the alcohol. First I ground the flakes in a coffee mill then stirred them very well and left them over night. The packaging is designed for long shelf life in a store, not long term storage in a workshop. The resin is dried into a … © 2014 SHELLACFINISHES - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Remember, in flake form, and stored properly, shellac has a shelf life of around 3 years. Shelf life of the shellac alcohol mix should be a few months. Flake Shellac has a virtually unlimited shelf life if kept dry, cool and out of direct sunlight, thus making this the most practical way of purchasing the product. Now here is the interesting thing that most do not realize- Shellac typically expires 6 to 9 months after the date of manufacturer. In excellent storage conditions, shellac flakes can last many years (storage conditions from 40F to 50F at <40% RH are suggested). The biggest problem comes about when shellac … Darren. We'll, I've had unbleached and blonde flakes for 30+ years, still using them and no huge difference in … Remember, in flake form, and stored properly, shellac has a shelf life of around 3 years. mix your own shellac. Store mixture in a cool dark and dry area of your workshop. Note: The 5 … Shellac flakes have a longer shelf life, you have total control of the cut, and you know exactly what's in it. Another factor in the shelf life of the flakes is how it is stored. Show Printable Version; 06-29-2015, 01:09 AM #21. car2. Thread: Shelf life of shellac flakes? According to an article by Jeff Jewitt that I just read all shellac, whether mixed or flakes has a shelf life. If … You accept the use of cookies or other identifiers by closing or dismissing this notice, by scrolling this page, by clicking a link or button or by continuing to browse otherwise. Shellac traditionally comes in flakes that the woodworker mixes with denatured alcohol right before use. You can use denatured alcohol, but I get 180 proof grain alcohol from the liquor store. What about the Shellac? Higher temperature, not even that high, (75 degrees and above) causes dewaxed shellac to clump, especially when it is a large sack and under weight. Here are some insights about how to judge when it is no longer useful. Shellac Shack P O Box 1027 Port Orford, Or. Shellac flakes have a finite shelf life unknown to most users. Additionally, the put volatile solvents and other nasty chemicals to stabilize the shelf life. If used for French polishing, more than the usual amount of oil will be required for lubrication. The flakes have a much longer shelf life. © 2021 Copyright Practicalmachinist.com. And unfortunately, there’s no visible sign that the shellac is bad. I store mine in bottles. I had considered using shellac between oil based stain and Minwax water based Polycrylic, but I've checked the labels and it appears it's not necessary. Shelf life of shellac flakes? Dry Flakes or Shellac Solutions. Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Shellac has a limited shelf life. Shellac … Shellac flakes have a finite shelf life unknown to most users. The flakes will be marked de-waxed or not. All shellac-based products can generally be mixed. Liquid shellac sold in hardware stores is often marked with the production (mixing) date, so the consumer can know whether the shellac inside is still good. See the: Shellac Pound Cut Mixing Chart Shellac Reducer (Behkol / Denatured Alcohol) will make a shellac that has a little more open or 'working time', a good solvent choice for mixing your own shellac Also used to dissolve Behlen & alcohol Aniline Dyes when used as an Alcohol Dye. If used for French polishing, more than the usual amount of oil will be required for lubrication. Once mixed with alcohol, shellac will start to react chemically, (search for esterification if you want to know more), and evaporation of the alcohol doesn’t get you back to where you started. Plastic salsa / to-go containers work well, and so do glass jam jars and things like that. It looks the same. Practical Machinist is the easiest way to learn new techniques, get answers quickly and discuss common challenges with your peers. I've been reading online that shellac flakes have a shelf life of 2-1/2 years max, and then should be discarded. the suspension of flakes may not be visible. 97465 541.332.8003 malcolm@shellacshack.com Therefore you can stock-up and mix only what is needed for the job at hand. Enter Shellac flakes. If used for French polishing, more than the usual amount of oil will be required for lubrication. Shellac has a definite shelf life. Hopefully that will help. To explain, in case you’re not familiar, shellac is unusual among finishes in that it has a fairly short shelf life. Could it be too old now? The plastic bag, while a decent barrier isn't totally impermeable and shellac left in the bags for years will deteriorate and eventually not dissolve. Register for the world’s largest manufacturing technology forum for free today to stay in the know. If … I've gotten good life out of this finish I used on a pair of … This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Sign up for our eNewsletter now to stay in-the-know. Some of its features include availability in de-waxed and waxy grades, comes in many warm colors from very light … … Once shellac flakes are mixed with alcohol, the mixture has a shelf life of no more than a year and a half. To find out more about the categories of personal information collected and the purposes for which such information will be used, please refer to our privacy policy. If you use much shellac it makes sense to mix your own from flakes. It finds use in different applications like for woodwork, cabinetry, guitar making, furniture finishing, refinishing, antique restoration among others. The Shellac flakes were “Liberon Button Shellac” and the meths was “Everbuild Methylated Spirits”, both ordered from Axminster at the end of February. I've been reading online that shellac flakes have a shelf life of 2-1/2 years max, and then should be discarded. Not sure what happens to shellac dissolved in alcohol after a year - does it not adhere anymore or something? Participant. Commercially available shellac has a shelf life of roughly six months. After about two years, dewaxed shellac that has been stored in a cool, dark, dry place will dis-solve in alcohol more slowly, and some of it will not dissolve completely, forming a gelatinous mass at the bottom of the bottle. A little goes a long way. If you buy off-the-shelf pre-mixed shellac, always test it for drying by putting several drops on a nonporous surface. Copyright © 2021 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. What is the shelf life of shellac? If you see a thick gooey gelatinous mass at the bottom of the jar, its past its shelf life and should not be used. I tried using some unsuccessfully with wax chuck and could not get it to stick properly. We sell our shellac in plastic bags with a desiccant and an oxygen absorber. Keep the flake cool, dark and tightly sealed. I don't know the chemical reasons why old flakes will not dissolve. Even if Shellac flakes are stored in a cool, dark and dry place, but older than 2 years (thumb rule), it will not dissolve completely in alcohol overnight when compared to fresh stock. To learn more, please refer to the cookie policy. Even if Shellac flakes are stored in a cool, dark and dry place, but older than 2 years (thumb rule), it will not dissolve completely in alcohol overnight when compared to fresh stock. Just like … But,I keep mine away from air,at least. I have used shellac for some time and normally it starts to dissolve in about half an hour. All Rights reserved. However, most of us discard shellac if it's more than two months old! The mixes I am trying are in clean jars and are still in the sealed jar with solvents but will not dissolve. To make your own you buy flakes and mix them with denatured alcohol. Keep the flake cool, dark and tightly sealed. It is always a good idea to buy shellac flakes as and when required. Braking up the flakes can help. With more than 10.6 million unique visitors over the last year, Practical Machinist is the most visited site for metalworking professionals. I’ve read conflicting … This is responsible for … 15 September 2016 at 1:27 am #140175. Shellac flakes have a finite shelf life unknown to most users. No nasty chemicals. This is annoying but the clump does limit the contact oxygen has with the insides of the clump. Learn more about us. Posted by Jack Lord on February 20, 2016 at 7:54am in Luthier Talk; View Discussions; I mixed a 2# cut of shellac. The microwaving was on shellac flakes only, no solvent. Refrigeration extends the shelf life. We'll bring you the most relevant peer-to-peer conversations happening in the trade and tips and tricks to help you get the job done. is formulated specifically to dissolve shellac flakes, and dilute or 'cut' liquid Shellacs. Keeping it cool will increase mixed shellac's shelf life. browsing data or IP addresses) and use cookies or other identifiers, which are necessary for its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. This is why pre-mixed shellac varnishes have a short shelf life. Liquid shellac is definitely best when used fresh so do not mix your Flake Shellac until you are ready to use it. Shellac flakes WILL degrade such that they will no longer dissolve in alcohol. The coating of wax keeps the shellac from clumping in the heat and it prevents the oxygen from getting to the shellac. However, dewaxed shellac has a much shorter shelf life after mixing it with alcohol (about 6 months). Dry flakes actually DO NOT have an unlimited life. Shellac flakes have a shelf life. I know the woodworkers when dissolving shellac to use as a finish consider it to have a shelf life … David B . But everyone who has used shellac for a while knows that the longer the shellac has been in its dissolved state the slower it dries and the less hard … Waxed shellac has a very very long shelf life because the wax protects the shellac. The label on commercial brands should tell you whether it is de-waxed or not. The alcohol chemically modifies the shellac resin and ultimately turns it into a sticky gum which doesn’t dry. This is probably totally wrong by me but I just kind of … It’s a natural resin secreted by insects in parts of India and Southeast Asia. While flakes have an indefinite shelf life, in liquid form, shellac will last only about 6 months, although it will last up to 3 years in an unopened container. Most people buy pre-made shellac, but shellac has limited shelf life, and the big pre-made shellac companies do not put any date or date code on the cans. Shaking helps to disperse equality throughout the solution and the end result is completely dissolved shellac. Mixed up the shelf life is supposed to be 6-12 months for blonde/super blonde dewaxed, and 1-2 years for an unopened bag of flakes. "I would … When applied, it will be sticky and slow drying. However, you’re unlikely to find a pre-mixed container stamped with a ‘mixed on’ date, so it’s a good idea to write the date on the container when you first open it. The reason it’s mixed right before use is that once mixed with alcohol, shellac has a 6-month shelf life. They had that happen in the furniture conservation lab in Williamsburg,where I was the toolmaker. You can buy shellac ready mixed or you can make your own. I have some shellac flakes that are likely quite old, came from a long retired old boys collection. This mix looks like its ready after two hours but don’t be deceived. Shellac is chemically similar to acrylic, and hence made of long polymer chains. It is much cheaper then buying prepared shellac and you mix only what you need fresh. View Profile View Forum Posts Stainless Join Date Sep 2009 Location Apex, NC Posts 1,573 Post Thanks / Like Likes (Given) 1 Likes (Received) 775. Shelf life of shellac flakes. It smells the same. However, in poor storage conditions, they can become unuseable in as short as a couple months. The latest industry news—straight to your inbox. Keep agitating for 24 hours. Regards. Thread Tools. The thing about shellac is that it will take a tremendous polish at extremely thin layers. Therefore you can stock-up … In about half an hour India and shellac flakes shelf life Asia are ready to use it reason ’. And you mix only what you need fresh please refer to the shellac about is. 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