The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Build and Repair

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 11-17-2020, 08:52 AM
thomasfelty thomasfelty is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 81
Default Shellac-Can I mix some up for a Satin finish

Hello to all you wonderful folks.

I'm wondering if there is something I can put into my shellac while I brewing it up that would make the finish be satin. I don't want to use 00000 grit steel wool. It just gets shiny with a little wear. Maybe something like they put in lacquer.

Thanks in advance.

TW
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-17-2020, 09:20 AM
RoyBoy RoyBoy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 647
Default

The flattening agents used in finishes are an extremely fine powder. I've never seen it for sale separately. Grey Scotchbrite pads are roughly equivalent to 0000 steel wool and leaves a satin sheen. 1200-1500 grit wet-or-dry paper produces about the same.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-17-2020, 10:03 AM
Frank Ford Frank Ford is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 638
Default

Interesting thought.

We use colloidal silica as an epoxy thickener - maybe I'll have to try some in shellac to see what happens. . .
__________________
Cheers,

Frank Ford
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-17-2020, 10:37 AM
Brent Hahn Brent Hahn is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,065
Default

In the floor-finishing trade, it's called a "matt agent" and comes in cans. Intended for use with polyurethane, I guess, don't know if it'll work with lacquer or shellac.
__________________
Originals

Couch Standards
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-17-2020, 05:37 PM
Alan Carruth Alan Carruth is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,180
Default

There are two types of flatting agents, so far as I know. One is silica, which settles to the bottom of the can. In use it produces microscopic bumps as the finish shrinks back. The other is a fine stearate powder, which floats to the surface. It's soft, and doesn't stick, to it leaves a bumpy surface as it wears off. It tends to float to the top of the can.

The only finishes that I know of that give a matt surface without flatting agents are based on tung oil, which wrinkles up as it hardens. It was the basis of a lot of wrinkle finishes on office furniture back when. I don't think you could get it to work with shellac.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-17-2020, 09:57 PM
Quickstep192 Quickstep192 is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,656
Default

Here’s a product from homesteadfinishingproducts.com that flattens shellac.

I’d recommend using the flattening agent for just the final coat or two. Otherwise it starts looking cloudy.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 0DD228C6-C8AC-4759-A33C-1AA8D6278018.jpg (26.4 KB, 66 views)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-18-2020, 12:42 PM
thomasfelty thomasfelty is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 81
Default

Is there directions to how to mix? Thanks for all the advise.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-19-2020, 07:55 AM
redir redir is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 7,657
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Quickstep192 View Post
Here’s a product from homesteadfinishingproducts.com that flattens shellac.

I’d recommend using the flattening agent for just the final coat or two. Otherwise it starts looking cloudy.
That's good to know! Especially for some restoration type work.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-19-2020, 01:36 PM
Quickstep192 Quickstep192 is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,656
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by thomasfelty View Post
Is there directions to how to mix? Thanks for all the advise.

It’s a liquid and the directions on the bottle simply say “add 10% by volume for semi-gloss, 20% for satin and 30% for flat.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Build and Repair

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=