I tried using some shellac retarder in my last batch to extend flowout time a little
Does shellac retarder also slow the overall cure time significantly and the hardness of the cured shellac film?
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I have used retarding agents a couple times and while drying does take longer I've not experienced any durability issues. I finally gave up on the retarders and just pad it on now and have developed a semi-french polish approach that works very well.
Madison
That (padding) is the only way for me with shellac too. I suppose wiping varnish has spoiled me!
Shellac is an evaporative finish. There isn't much "cure" going on. The solvents evaporate and don't participate in the final finish, which is true for very fast evaporating solvents like methanol or slower ones like isopropanol. The cure time is mostly the evaporation time.
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