I pulled out a package of shellac that I bought some time
ago (at least 2 years). Some of the shellac flakes have
formed a block. I tried crushing it with my hand and some
of it broke off.

I recently read that when shellac blocks like this, it's
no good. It won't dissolve in alcohol. However, I
did a quick Google search and some people claim
that the shellac is still usable.

Question, should I keep the shellac and hope it
will dissolve ? And how do I keep shellac from blocking?
I read that heat makes it block. Insulated container? And how long
will flakes keep in this state?

Thanks

MJ

On Apr 4, 8:57*pm, "
wrote:
I pulled out a package of shellac that I bought some time
ago (at least 2 years). Some of the shellac flakes have
formed a block. I tried crushing it with my hand and some
of it broke off.

I recently read that when shellac blocks like this, it's
no good. It won't dissolve in alcohol. However, I
did a quick Google search and some people claim
that the shellac is still usable.

Question, should I keep the shellac and hope it
will dissolve ? And how do I keep shellac from blocking?
*I read that heat makes it block. Insulated container? And how long
will flakes keep in this state?

Straight from the horse's mouth...in this instance the horse being
Jeff Jewitt.
http://antiquerestorers.com/Articles/jeff/shellac.htm
"Dry shellac flakes store indefinitely under proper conditions, but
contrary to what you may hear, it won't store forever. Given enough
time, especially under hot, wet conditions, dry shellac reacts with
itself to form polymers that are insoluble in alcohol. Shellacs that
have been dewaxed are more prone to this. You can extend the usable
life of dry shellac flakes by storing them after purchase in a cool,
dry area -- a refrigerator is best. A test for suspected old shellac
is easy -- simply dissolve the flakes in alcohol. Most shellacs should
be totally dissolved within three days. If you see a gelatinous mass
after this time, the shellac is past its usable life and should be
discarded (don’t confuse natural wax with this). If you just purchased
it, return it to the company you bought it from. Sometimes in summer
months, shellac will cake together. This is known in the industry as
"blocking" and is not a sign of bad shellac. Break up the shellac with
a hammer and dissolve it in alcohol as usual. "

R

I had read his remarks recently elsewhere, but
I don't need the shellac now. I'd supposed I
could do a quarter of what I have and see
if will dissolve.

Reminder to self: only buy shellac when needed

MJ

On Mon, 4 Apr 2011 17:57:30 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

I pulled out a package of shellac that I bought some time
ago (at least 2 years). Some of the shellac flakes have
formed a block. I tried crushing it with my hand and some
of it broke off.

I recently read that when shellac blocks like this, it's
no good. It won't dissolve in alcohol. However, I
did a quick Google search and some people claim
that the shellac is still usable.

Chill it and hit it with a spoon? Put the tiny pieces into the alcohol
immediately. Warming the finishing jar of alcohol in hot water helps
dissolve it, too. (I've had excellent luck with old shellac, but I
don't use it on critical furniture, either. YMMV)


Question, should I keep the shellac and hope it
will dissolve ? And how do I keep shellac from blocking?
I read that heat makes it block. Insulated container? And how long
will flakes keep in this state?

Keep it inside the house, where it's cooler.

--
Not merely an absence of noise, Real Silence begins
when a reasonable being withdraws from the noise in
order to find peace and order in his inner sanctuary.
-- Peter Minard

wrote in message
...
I pulled out a package of shellac that I bought some time
ago (at least 2 years). Some of the shellac flakes have
formed a block. I tried crushing it with my hand and some
of it broke off.

I recently read that when shellac blocks like this, it's
no good. It won't dissolve in alcohol. However, I
did a quick Google search and some people claim
that the shellac is still usable.

Question, should I keep the shellac and hope it
will dissolve ? And how do I keep shellac from blocking?
I read that heat makes it block. Insulated container? And how long
will flakes keep in this state?

Thanks

MJ

I have had shellac block like this and I have heated the spirit in an old
microwave outside, just a few seconds at a time till it was quite warm, then
added the shellac, left it over night and it was quite usable from then.
Of coarse, I don't have to say not to use a metal container to heat it,
otherwise you won't have any spirit left, let alone the microwave.

I am in the habit of grinding the flakes in a spice grinder to make
the dissolving faster. Might try busting it up a little with a hammer
and then grind it.
\
On Apr 4, 5:57*pm, "
wrote:
I pulled out a package of shellac that I bought some time
ago (at least 2 years). Some of the shellac flakes have
formed a block. I tried crushing it with my hand and some
of it broke off.

I recently read that when shellac blocks like this, it's
no good. It won't dissolve in alcohol. However, I
did a quick Google search and some people claim
that the shellac is still usable.

Question, should I keep the shellac and hope it
will dissolve ? And how do I keep shellac from blocking?
*I read that heat makes it block. Insulated container? And how long
will flakes keep in this state?

Thanks

MJ