Shellac in Flakes (Brown)

Shellac is used both to seal porous surfaces prior to size application and to give shine and light protection to finished gold leaf.

Once dry it gives a warm tone to the surface. 

Composition

Natural, organic resin in irregular orange-brown coloured flakes. 

Use Method

Soak shellac flakes in at least 95% ethanol solution. After 24 hours the shellac will have been totally absorbed. Filter the mixture to remove any deposits and impurities which may have formed. The shellac will be ready to use. The resulting shellac and alcohol solution can be stored for several months in a carefully closed container.

Filtering before each new use is recommended.

Yield

Approximately 250g of shellac per litre of alcohol

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place in its own container, closed and away from direct light and heat. The ideal temperature is 15-20 degrees celsius with humidity under 50%. The product is not cold-sensitive but can be damaged by heat. 

Additional Information

Dilution percentage, application method and quantities applied may significantly affect the workability time.

The most suitable application methods should be determined by experimentation on the basis of the surface being gilded and the desired result.