Spraying Shellac

[Victory Pete]

I have mixed up some pewter flakes with nitro to spray my logo. Metallic flakes don't mix well with shellac, these pewter flakes turn gold and it doesn't flow well.

[Victory Pete]

I have been thinning the shellac for more even coverage. Shellac definitely sprays differently than nitro. I also have 100% pure ethanol. I wonder if I could add some kind of retarder to get a flash coat as the final coat.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by Victory Pete

Shellac definitely sprays differently than nitro.

I'm just curious. Why do you want to spray shellac as a guitar finish?

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

I'm just curious. Why do you want to spray shellac as a guitar finish?

French polishing takes too long and I have a dedicated spray room now.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by Victory Pete

French polishing takes too long and I have a dedicated spray room now.

I understand having a dedicated spray room and wanting to spray a finishing material. My question is really why spray shellac for guitars?

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

I understand having a dedicated spray room and wanting to spray a finishing material. My question is really why spray shellac for guitars?

There are many reasons, another is not needing a mask.

[Victory Pete]

It took a while for the shellac to fully cure, but it came out great. My customer had me put in a Fishman pickup. The shellac has a nice satin old look to it and the guitar rings like a bell.

[Quickstep192]

Originally Posted by Victory Pete

There are many reasons, another is not needing a mask.

You may want to re-think that not wearing a mask thing. Overspray from any finish, is not a good thing to breathe. Not even waterborne.

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

You may want to re-think that not wearing a mask thing. Overspray from any finish, is not a good thing to breathe. Not even waterborne.

No need to re-think anything, I do wear a mask when necessary, but unlike lacquer thinner, ethanol fumes are generally harmless.

[JonWint]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

You may want to re-think that not wearing a mask thing. Overspray from any finish, is not a good thing to breathe. Not even waterborne.

Shellac may be the safest finish when mixed with ethanol instead of methanol. Shellac (insect secretions) is an ingredient in confectioner's glaze. You've probably consumed it before.

So, you can drink leftover shellac mixed with ethanol.

[mirwa]

Originally Posted by JonWint

So, you can drink leftover shellac mixed with ethanol.

Eating and drinking a product is different to breathing that product into your lungs, which is what i believe was being referenced

[JonWint]

Originally Posted by mirwa

Eating and drinking a product is different to breathing that product into your lungs, which is what i believe was being referenced

You can choose not to inhale it, but it won't poison you. Regulations in your home country may vary.

"[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 3]
[Revised as of April 1, 2020]
[CITE: 21CFR184.1293]

TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER B - FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION (CONTINUED)
PART 184 -- DIRECT FOOD SUBSTANCES AFFIRMED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE

Subpart B - Listing of Specific Substances Affirmed as GRAS

Sec. 184.1293 Ethyl alcohol.

.................................................. "

[Victory Pete]

The shellac finally hardened up enough for its new owner to take it home.

[Victory Pete]

https://fb.watch/v/4sQaKfyEc/

[Fathand]

I have seen where you have sanded between coats. What is your final process for the last coat? Do you wet sand then buff etc?

I have sprayed a guitar with aerosol shellac and have a similar "pebbly" surface to what you show in some of your pics. I have previously on sprayed shellac on headstocks to embed a decal. I used a wet sand, buff process there.