[Jewelry making - Article 00223] - Re: [Orchid] Best solvent for Shellack?

[Elizabeth Gordon-Mills]

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    I have used methylated spirits (available at hardware stores) to
    dissolve shellac.  This must surely be cheaper than "methyl hydrate"
    which is another name for methanol.  Methylated spirits is just cheap
    alcohol (ethyl alcohol) doped with methanol.  I usually let the
    mixture sit in a closed jar on my pickling plate and the gentle heat
    helps it dissolve easily.  I use this mixture to dissolve an aniline
    dye to produce a home made French polish which can be built up in
    layers on natural substances to give a lovely deep rich colour. 
    Looks great set in silver, but beware, it is subject to surface wear
    and should only be used on pieces that do not receive much surface
    rubbing, such as pendants or stud earrings.  Rings and bracelets are
    a no no.  I have tried covering it up with other polymer
    protectants, but they usually spoil the effect, and they, too,
    eventually wear through. 

Elizabeth Gordon-Mills
PO Box 32
Langhorne Creek
South Australia 5255
(08) 8535 8212
0411 189 023


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