- 1). Check that the shellac has not expired. Shellac has a shelf life, which means it is not effective or usable after a certain period of time, similar to the expiration date of food. Old shellac does not dry properly. Some shellac products last six months while others last for up to three years.
- 2). Mix shellac flakes before each use. Many manufacturers sell shellac as dry flakes. You then add denatured alcohol to the flakes to create the shellac. The fresher the shellac, the shorter the drying time. Manufacturers also sell premixed shellac, but old premixed shellac that is past its expiration date dries very slowly. To make the shellac mixture dry faster so you can use it more quickly, pulverize the dry flakes with a spice or coffee grinder. Smaller flakes dissolve faster in the alcohol, enabling you to create the shellac faster. It takes 24 to 48 hours for the flakes to dissolve in the alcohol. Once they have dissolved, the shellac is ready for use. Follow the directions on the label precisely.
- 3). Make the shellac as thin as possible. Thick shellac takes longer to dry. Directions on the shellac label instruct you how to dilute the shellac even further. In many cases it is one part dry shellac flakes and three parts alcohol. You can dilute premixed shellac by following the directions on the label.
- 4). Apply shellac as one coat using a brush, rag or foam. One coat dries faster than two. If you want to add a second coat, do so after the first coat dries.
- 5). Use the shellac in warm and dry weather. Shellac dries faster at higher temperatures. Open the windows to let the warm and dry air into the room. This expedites drying time, and the shellac is dry in one hour or less. Shellac dries two to three times slower in cold and/or damp environments.
- 6). Place the object in the sunlight. The warmth of the sun helps expedite the drying time. With a thin coat of shellac, drying time is about 30 minutes.
SHARE
