Replies

1. 
   Jimurock | Jul 22, 2009 10:55pm | #1

   Zinsser claims a three year shelf life, though personally I wouldn't buy it after two.  In Canada you're lucky to find it on the shelves -- I can't.  A decent dealer will order it in for you.  There's the option of buying flakes and mixing your own, but again in Canada that's an adventure if you want dewaxed.  There's only one dealer that I know of, and he's as easy to contact as the fairy at the bottom of my garden.  I order mine from TWW in the states.

   Jim

1. 
   sinsin | Jul 22, 2009 11:41pm | #2

   Our local Home Hardware and Turkstra Lumber both carry Zinsser. I usually mix my own flakes -- from Lee Valley -- but felt a little lazy to-day.

1. 
   Jimurock | Jul 23, 2009 01:01am | #3

   Lucky you!  I used to buy from LV too, but they've stopped carrying the dewaxed grades -- not enough interest I suppose.

   Jim

2. 
   forestgirl | Jul 23, 2009 08:56am | #4

   I've used Zinnser shellac that was past it's expiration date by several months (and kept in a less-than-ideal shop environment) and it performed just fine.  I'm not suggesting that you do that, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy it with the date ranges you specified.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   HowardAcheson | Jul 23, 2009 04:27pm | #6

   There is a simple and time-honored test for shellac. Apply a coat to some wood. If it dries hard in 30-60 minutes, it's OK to use. The only issue with old shellac is whether it dries properly.Howie.........

2. 
   sinsin | Jul 23, 2009 08:36pm | #7

   t.y. for your comments. I found a can of shellac that was mfg'd. in Oct. 08 and it applied o.k. Interesting comment from Frenchy about diluting commercial shellac with thinner (denatured alcohol) I think the next time I use shellac from this can I will dilute it as it has a very thick consistency. I have a new post you may wish to comment on.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 23, 2009 08:59pm | #8

   How much you want to thin depends on what the purpose of the coating is -- e.g., a wash coat? a finish coat?  Brushing or padding on??  You don't want to dilute without a plan.  I think, if I remember correctly, Zinnser comes in a 3lb. cut.  There are instructions on the can for diluting to 2lb. or 1.5lb. 

   You can get some great information about choosing and using shellac at Jeff Jewitt's Homstead Finishing web site.  Here are two articles, just for starters:

   "Shellac -- A Traditional Finish Still Yields Superb Results"

   "Padding Shellac" 

   If you don't yet have a really good finishing book, his Taunton  book Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing or Flexner's book Understanding Wood Finishing  are (either or both) must-haves in the library, and would give you information about using shellac for its various purposes.

   Another Jewitt book I found extremely helpful is Great Wood Finishes.

   .....I'll see if I can find your new post.....

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 7/23/2009 2:00 pm by forestgirl

1. 
   Shoemaker1 | Jul 24, 2009 04:35pm | #9

   How do you dewax shellac made from flakes? Do I have to dust off the old still?
   Regards

1. 
   boilerbay | Jul 24, 2009 04:51pm | #10

   Shoe,Make up a batch -glass (canning jar), let stand for a day or so - after shellac flakes are completely dissolved. Wax will settle to bottom. Decant, pouring off shellac (clear stuff) and leave the wax behind. Do again in another day for any remaining. Not 100% but close enough for all practical purposes to use anywhere dewaxed is normally used. If doing buttonlac, will also remove a few more legs and twigs. :)Boiler

2. 
   Shoemaker1 | Jul 24, 2009 05:45pm | #11

   Thanks. now I can keep the still for it's intended purpose.

3. 
   boilerbay | Jul 24, 2009 06:17pm | #12

   I'm guessing you don't have any revenoooowers up there!
   Mashing it up down here boss!Boiler

4. 
   Shoemaker1 | Jul 24, 2009 08:57pm | #13

   Yup we got them guys but they are busy chasing other crops.My grandfather hid his under the pig pen. The RCMP couldn't smell the mash due to pig poop.Years ago they used to have one dog trained to sniff out still's, he was located about an hour away from were I live. They have a large population of middle European background farmers. Lots of places to make shine.

3. 
   frenchy | Jul 23, 2009 03:30pm | #5

   I've successfully used some really old shellac.. However I put twice as much denatured alcohol in it than the label recommends.

      I even pulled some 80 year old shellac off a piano and just for the grins respread it successfully.