Pure Orange Shellac Flakes (1808)

Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes and dissolved in denatured alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze, and wood finish. Shellac functions as a tough natural primer, sanding sealant, tannin-blocker, odor-blocker, stain, and high-gloss varnish. Shellac was once used in electrical applications as it possesses good insulation qualities and it seals out moisture. Phonograph and 78 rpm gramophone records were made of it until they were replaced by vinyl long-playing records from the 1950s onwards.

Our Shellac Flakes come in a quart can to which you simply add denatured alcohol (to the brim). Shake gently, so as not to produce bubbles, over an 8-hour period prior to use. The resulting liquid will keep for about 6 months.

NOTE: An option would be to add less alcohol – about half – for a thicker liquid to cover wood knots.