Peter
Wondering what you use to add color to your shellac finishes? In the past I have used different grades of “shell lac” to achieve a tone. Garnet to Blonde flakes vary quite a bit but I wonder?? Is it easier to just add a drop or two of a tint?
What tinting products do you use if any?
dan
Replies
Dan,
I often use various shellacs to tint blonde shellac. A little dewaxed orange or ruby shellac can make the blonde absolutely glow. I've used this method while French polishing mahogany hand rails and the inherent color is very attractive.
Obviously if you added some garnet, it would brown it a little.
Another way to bring the color around is to use a dye concentrate such as Trans Tint. Be judicious with the dye as a little goes a long way.
For instance, if I had a couple of ounces of shellac (liquid) in a container and I wanted to tint it I would use one drop of the concentrate and then check for color strength. You can do this on a paper plate. Just put some of the blonde on the plate prior to tinting and then a little of the tinted shellac. You'll see the difference very quickly.
Don't over do the color. You'll be surprised when you start working with it how much of a difference it will make.
I will initially seal a piece with blonde then do a tinted finish. This helps me avoid any streaking.
If you were looking for an opaque tint try mixol tints. They are also very concentrated and will give you interesting effects.
Have fun. BTW, interesting rifle you're doing.
Peter
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