Shellac

[coop44]

After being quite unsatisfied with what is available for refinishing mosin nagant wood I went on a quest to learn more about shellac. I learned that it does get flakey with age ,but it is, safe, non toxic, fast drying, cheap, I can see now why the russians used it (fast drying, cheap) available in a number of shades as flakes, but only 2 as "ready to use"


After doing some research I am going to attempt to mix my own shellac. I found that shellac flake can be had in a number of colors and I'll be ordering up some shortly.

A time consuming PITA to mix but I think it will be well worth the effort to put an arsenal refinish on some nice wood.

has any one here tried this?

BTW I have tried the bullseye brand amber shellac and found it to be unsatisfactory color wise.

Any one have any tips?

[RimfireJim]

As you might have found, Rockler is one source of shellac flakes in a range of colors.
Any easy way to dissolve the flakes in denatured (not isopropyl) alcohol is to put both in a glass jar (Mason jar) and let it sit, stirring occasionally. Patience, Grasshopper. Only mix up what you can use within a short time, as the remainder will go bad (short shelf life). "Bad" is that it won't dry.
By varying the ratio of shellac (by weight) to alcohol, you can create different strengths, or "cuts" as it is termed in wood finishing. Use a low ratio for initial coats, higher ratio for finish coats.

[coop44]

Thank you , I found out most of this on (can you believe it?) shellac.net, Gottat love that internet. Thanks for the Mason jar tip, I was trying to figure out what kind of container to use.

I understand the higher ratio will yield a glossier finish.

the flakes in the photo are "ruby" shellac

[SPROCKET]

When I was getting into shellac, I ordered a number of sample packs from these guys http://www.shellac.net/pricelist.html to check out the different colors. Definitely spend some time experimenting. I used practicing as an excuse to build an ammo shelf for my safe, by the time I was done I had a feel for what worked and what didn't. Otherwise, it might have been frustrating had it been a project I wanted "perfect". There's a distinct learning curve.

[coop44]

When I was getting into shellac, I ordered a number of sample packs from these guys http://www.shellac.net/pricelist.html to check out the different colors. Definitely spend some time experimenting. I used practicing as an excuse to build an ammo shelf for my safe, by the time I was done I had a feel for what worked and what didn't. Otherwise, it might have been frustrating had it been a project I wanted "perfect". There's a distinct learning curve.

Learning curve is right shellac.net is where I scored the photo from.

[Seesm]

Coop I had no idea how to MAKE shellac... Cool.

[coop44]

I think the "ruby" in the photo will be a good match for most com bloc guns. It now is possible to bring one back to freshly rearsenal condition. Most have been done once or twice anyway, can't hurt if it is done right

[coop44]

Coop I had no idea how to MAKE shellac... Cool.

Actually BUGS "make" it! Makes me itch, so I don't think about it.

[psssniper]

I have done shellac finishes on guitars that I have built. Not sure I'd use it on a gun though. It's a very fragile finish.

[coop44]

I have done shellac finishes on guitars that I have built. Not sure I'd use it on a gun though. It's a very fragile finish.

the quest is to duplicate the finish, it is what it is. BTW I handle a guitar a lot rougher than a rifle,sorry.

at one time shellac or an oil finish were all you could get on almost any thing. Shellac was refered to as a "french" finish.