I recently found that a full quart of shellac had blown its lid, and sat in the cabinet slowly evaporating. It is now about half full, and thick. I hate to just throw it away … is there any reason I can’t just add back denatured alcohol to fill the can and use it? I would think that only the alcohol evaporated, and the shellac in the can should dissolve in the new alcohol. I wonder why the top came off … as if it was under pressure.
Just wondering –
Replies
Reconstitute a couple ounces of it with alcohol and brush it on a piece of scrap wood to see if it will dry. If it stays sticky, you don't want it. Don't just test it with your finger, press a piece of Kleenex against it to see if there's any stickiness at all.
If you decide to keep it, get a new can. Paint stores and high end hardware stores will have them.
All and all its probably toast. Alcohol is hydroscopic. That shellac has absorbed water due to the alcohol absorbing the water in the air. If there is liquid left in the cant its water, alcohol has all evaporated. Just throw it out. Youve put many hours into a project only to finish it using ruined shellac. The cost of new shellac verus stripping and getting fustrated isnt worth it.
Jimbo,
In addition to what others have said, mixed shellac has a shelf life of no more than six months. If you've had that can more than even two or three months (you said it had been "slowly evaporating" so it must have been around awhile) I would say to toss it for being too old.
For next time you need shellac: roll your own. Shellac flakes are cheap, widely available, and will last well past the next ice age. It's easy to mix up the amount you need in the strength you want.
Alan
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