Can any of you clearify for me the issue of shellac yellowing over time? I find many articles that clearly state that shellac yellows and yet websites such as Homestead Finishing and Zinser both state shellac is non yellowing. Another statement I found is that shellac yellows considerably less than polyurethanes and varnish.
What’s the practical answer?
Replies
I haven't noticed it yellowing any of my projects any more than the original film color (garnet, blonde, whatever). It does break down while in solution, so maybe it gets yellow in the can? I've never let it set long enough to find that out...
Tom
Corners,
I think the practical answer is that shellac doesn't yellow. I've not noticed any yellowing on the many pieces I've finished with shellac. The majority of antiques you run across that are older than 1850 or so, are likely finished with shellac. I've not seen or heard of the shellac yellowing on those old pieces either.
Alan
It can yellow if it has metal salts in it. An old problem when the canned shellac was packed in an uncoated steel can. Its not a problem anymore as far as I can see. If you use plastic or glass containers there should be no problems. Long ago raw shellac sometimes had rosin or arsenic-compound fillers and dyes. That may have some effect, but it has not been done for a good 50 years. I think it may also yellow a bit if bleached with chlorine and there is excess chlorine still there, but this also is uncommon. For all practical purposes, it does not yellow. I use it extensively and am very happy with it.
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