So I just ordered some shellac flakes...

[Peter W Bush]

I'm trying to refinish a Soviet AKM stock and I really like the durability and color of real shellac. Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? It seems really cool if done right.

[69Mach1]

If you're going to just apply the shellac (multiple coats), give it plenty of time to dry in between, like a week or two. It may melt off in extreme heat. Or wait for it to completely dry and then add a few coats of clear polyurethane.

[Peter W Bush]

If you're going to just apply the shellac (multiple coats), give it plenty of time to dry in between, like a week or two. It may melt off in extreme heat. Or wait for it to completely dry and then add a few coats of clear polyurethane.

Wow.. Two weeks in between coats? Everything I've read so far says 2-4 hours. Good to know.

[69Mach1]

I read that also, but if I hadn't seen it for myself, I wouldn't of believed it. My friend did 3 coats in one day. A week later when he pulled it out of the soft case, which had been sitting in his hot car a few hours, the shellac had melted.

[Creampuff]

Shellac cures very rapidly. I usually only wait an hour between coats. Two things to avoid to prevent the shellac not curing properly -

1. Use very thin layers. I wouldn't even bother with a brush. I usually use the lint free shop towels that you can purchase at Home Depot, and just wipe it on in very thin layers. With thin coats like this, you can wait 1/2 hr between coats. Use a very fine grit sandpaper or steel wool to knock down any grain that might lift up. Just keep hand wiping very thin layers on, and lightly sand between coats - and you'll have a very professional looking finish when done.

2. Don't use an old solution. After dissolving the flakes, use the solution within 6 months. If the solution is older than 6 months, toss it, and dissolve more flakes. Older solutions don't dry as well, and clump up sometimes.

3. Oh yeah..forgot to add..use dewaxed shellac. The waxed shellac may have adhesion issues later between layers, especially if you are going to top coat with polyurethane.

Shellac is great...love the stuff. Plus it isn't toxic.!

[69Mach1]

That explains it. Thanks.

[C.W.M.V.]

I used some garnet flake shellac to touch up a mosin stock. There really isnt very much color to it at all. The flakes look dark red, but when its mixed its more of a light yellow orange color.

I applied thin coats and they were dry after about 20-30 minutes. Great stuff! And if you get runs in it all you do is rub it smooth with some denatured alcohol. Super easy!

[armandolo]

I just did mine. Turned out super good. Ordered shellac (Ruby red) and denatured alcohol from Shellac.net. I used 3 layers of plain shellac, then added RIT scarlet dye (maybe 2 capful) to a 1/2 lb 2cut mix. did one layer of that, then again one more layer of plain shellac. Sprayed miniwax semigloss and looks awesome.
If you were close I could give you my mixture since I have no use for it anymore

[armandolo]

Time between coats was more like 2 hrs. Shellac dries extremely quick

[Peter W Bush]

I just did mine. Turned out super good. Ordered shellac (Ruby red) and denatured alcohol from Shellac.net. I used 3 layers of plain shellac, then added RIT scarlet dye (maybe 2 capful) to a 1/2 lb 2cut mix. did one layer of that, then again one more layer of plain shellac. Sprayed miniwax semigloss and looks awesome.
If you were close I could give you my mixture since I have no use for it anymore

You added the dye to the mixed shellac? Im trying to go for a honey brown hue so I ordered neutral blonde dewaxed flakes. Why did you have to spray the minwax semigloss after you finished coating with shellac, just out of curiosity.

[armandolo]

Shellac is super glossy. I wanted semigloss. Also I read that it is not waterproof (from shellac.net). And yes I added the dye to the mixed shellac.

[Peter W Bush]

Shellac is super glossy. I wanted semigloss. Also I read that it is not waterproof (from shellac.net). And yes I added the dye to the mixed shellac.

Thanks a lot for your help, guys. I want a nice glossy finish on this one so I'll experiment and see how it comes out.

[armandolo]

Here is my result. Picture doesn't do justice

[Peter W Bush]

Here is my result. Picture doesn't do justice

WOW that is really nice... I'm going to experiment with the stuff and see what I can come up with. I have some minwax semi-gloss polyurethane and different dyes sitting around. Hopefully I can come up with something good.

[Roccobro]

You better post pics of half way done, and finished Peter...

Justin