Shellac and Everclear

[Susan Kline]

>  For those of you who use this concoction, are the flakes a preference or 
> a requirement to do a decent job?

Hello, Mitch.

I chose to use the flakes because over time the premixed shellac starts to 
polymerize, stays gummy instead of drying properly. I've visited a site 
which sell shellac flakes  --

http://www.woodfinishingsupplies.com/Shellac.asp       --- and I've read 
what they had to say. They have a very pure alcohol, quite free of water. 
They claim that their premixed shellac, made with this alcohol, has a very 
long shelf life. However, I wouldn't want to just buy some shellac in a 
hardware store and assume that it is fresh. Also, by making my own, I can 
use "ultrablonde" flakes, which have very little color and don't stain the 
hammers very much.

Maybe others who have voiced with shellac will give us their ideas and 
experiences.

Susan Kline