Replies

1. 
   dlaporte | Jul 22, 2003 05:55pm | #1

   Zinsser Bull's Eye Brand shellac prides itself on having the longest shelf life. Their website is http://www.zinsser.com

2. 
   garth | Jul 22, 2003 06:30pm | #2

   If the shellac drys hard and does not stay tacky it is find to use. I have never seen shellac last 10 yrs, but that is just me.

   Scott T.

3. 
   forestgirl | Jul 22, 2003 07:24pm | #3

   Quoting Jeff Jewitt, Great Wood Finishes, pg. 55: 

   "Once dissoved in alcohol, shellac begins a slow chemial process that eventually turns the hard resin into a gummy substance that won't dry."

   Another quote from his web-article:

   "Although I have successfully used 12 month old shellac, shellacs older than 6 months should be tested. Pour a small amount onto a piece of glass. If not dry to the touch within 15 minutes, it should be discarded. For this reason, it's a good idea to make up only enough shellac to use within a six-month period."

   So, it sounds like a drying test was all you needed to do.  Do you still have the dry sample?  I'd be tempted to try a little denatured alcohol on it to see if it's reallllly shellac.

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

4. 
   DavidP52 | Jul 23, 2003 03:22pm | #4

   As cheap as shellac is, why mess with it? Buy some new.