Friction polish without shellac

[MarkNotts]

Hi, as most will know... buying shellac in the uk is next to impossible, although we can make it from the flakes it has a shelf life, even the flakes have a shelf life if kept dry and in the fridge, 6 months is too short for me as id probably only use the polish once every few months...

I was wondering if we can use anything else instead of shellac with the Iso-propyl Alcohol ( Uk version of Denatured alcohol ) and boiled linseed oil?

I have a long hour day job and get to the lathe maybe an hour a day if lucky and part of the weekend so I dont turn enough to warrent a wasteful shelf life of the flakes but would like some friction polish to hand when i need it

 

[Terry Q]

Mark you can mix small lots and to keep flakes usable package them with one of those food vacuum sealing devices. I have flake that is over 10 years old. I just seal up the remainder of the flakes. No air, no problem.

 

[Louie_Powell]

I prefer a friction polish based on lacquer rather than the traditional shellac formula. Equal quantities of lacquer, lacquer thinner, and oil. (I use tung oil, but BLO or walnut oil are also fine).

I also make a friction polish by dissolving ordinary paste wax in turpentine, and then adding an equal quantity of oil. This isn't was tough as the lacquer FP, but it is really good for utility items such as tool handles.

 

[Penpal]

Some of the U Beaut Polishes have these ingredients and need a shake up before use but have a long shelf life.

Peter.

 

[Woody]

I use Liberon spirit sanding sealer before any type of polish

 

[MarkNotts]

Thanks a lot for the replys, I didnt know you could get shellac lasting that long so its made my mind up to make some the shellac way, I might try the laquer way also to compare, I found the formular on Daniel Vilarino's youtube channel from Capn Eddie Castelin, I've made some of Daniel's abrasive paste before and really like the results and a lot cheaper than popular brands :) only difference in the next cook up is pummice instead of tripoli as tripoli makes the paste like a redish ocre shade, nice but not as clear as Im hoping the pummice to make

 

[MarkNotts]

I use Liberon spirit sanding sealer before any type of polish

Oh sanding sealer yes... so far as Im newish on wood turning and didnt know the brands ive been using toolstation celulose sanding sealer and halfords celulose thinner ;) both close to me at a 50 50 mix, i need to mix some more up so will be trying 80 20 mix and if too sticky then add more thinner to about 70 30

 

[Penpal]

Was at the Liberon dealer couple of days ago bought the new quick drying Tung Oil. I am a flat out fan of their Black, and their clear Bison polishes. The agents are also world known restoration experts who swear by the products made by Liberon.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

I have some shellac flakes, over 15 years old, bought a lathe and for got about them till I had a cleanup recently.

 

[Penpal]

Shellac is an overall description comprising Blonde dewaxed, Super blonde dewaxed, White Bleached,Buttonlac,Garnet Shellac and others. All have their uses and peculiar qualities. In and out of favour by substitution of names and various brews made up by manufacturers.

I have a mate whose bud vases sell for up to a thousand dollars made from many timbers, each receives 27 coats of hand rubbed varnish, his small boxes from 10,000 AU to 20,000 AU so if people master the art it can really enhance fine work. I will go shortly and illustrate some of his work.

Peter

 

[Woody]

Oh sanding sealer yes... so far as Im newish on wood turning and didnt know the brands ive been using toolstation celulose sanding sealer and halfords celulose thinner ;) both close to me at a 50 50 mix, i need to mix some more up so will be trying 80 20 mix and if too sticky then add more thinner to about 70 30

I use mine just as it comes I have never diluted it and never seen the need to

 

[Penpal]

My mate Eugene emmigrated from Europe as a small boy he became an apprentice Furniture maker and Joiner in his fourth year on he built his own brick home and workshop (extraordinary quality throughout).

Some of his work around 27 coats of French Polishing boxes such as these all hand made sold by him round ten thousand onsold to the USA for 18,000 US. A few Bud Vases twenty odd timbers in them.

Now prior to retirement he works in Parliament House Workshop his work is highly regarded another of my heroes.

Peter.

 

[Gizmo3k]

That is very impressive work!

 

[wm460]

 

[MarkNotts]

Yes those are amazing!

 

[Penpal]

Yorkshire Polish is a hit in the USA. Made in Yorkshire franchised out and about.

Peter.

 

[Woody]

There are loads of shellac polishes about like Wood Shellac Sealer (Polish). 1 Litre: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home also Liberon french polish is shellac as are many more