Lacquer for hammers

[Susan Kline]

Hello, Lance

>1) Why do some techs use sanding sealer instead of nitrocellulose lacquer?
>Does it matter?

I think it does, but don't have the experience to say for sure. The
keytop in acetone sound is so obviously "noisy" and so hard to reverse
that I've started trying ultrablonde shellac flakes in ethyl alcohol,
and so far I like it. If anyone else would like to experiment
with it, too, I'd be glad to hear about their results.

>2) What is some advice you can give me on transfering the lacquer/thinner
>from gallon can to a bottle for use.

If you are transferring a small amount of anything from a large container to
a small one, one method to use is to take a soda straw of appropriate 
diameter,
dip it into the large container, put your finger over the top end, move the
straw to the small container, and take your finger off. Like using a
pipette in a chem lab to transfer small amounts of liquid.

>3) What kind of bottle do you use?

I use an eyedropper bottle, which originally held an herbal tincture. It
seals well, and is the right size. The eyedropper is fairly easy to
control, for applying. Of course you should label it, but shellac and
ethyl alcohol aren't so toxic that a mistake would cause harm.

>    How long must it dry?

Surprisingly enough, shellac didn't take all that long to dry, though it
continued to get harder the next day. I used the "Everclear" 190 proof
alcohol, so there was very little water to evaporate, and I mixed it
up fresh. Old shellac has a harder time drying.

>    Do you ever put it on the strike point?

Yes

>    What ratio?  4:1? 5:1?

Still working out the ratios.

>    How long will it last after mixing sitting in the back of my truck?

Probably depends on how good a seal the bottle has, but shellac
shouldn't be kept for long. A dropper bottle is small enough that maybe
it could come inside with you.

Susan Kline