What Does the Term Pound Cut Mean?
Pound cut is a term unique to the shellac industry. It refers
to the number of pounds of shellac dissolved in one gallon of alcohol. A
3-lb. cut contains approximately 29% shellac; a 2-lb. cut contains
about 22% shellac.
As a rule the following pound cuts are used:
- 1-lb. Pre-stain sealing, French Polish finishing
- 2-lb. Pre-finish sealing; general wood finishing
- 3-lb. Floor finishing; sealing knots & sap streaks
- 4-lb. Sealing tough knots & sap streaks, stains*
* The 4-lb. cut is generally used by professionals
Does Shellac Have a Shelf Life?
Freshly made shellac dries very quickly to a hard, durable and
water-resistant finish. However, because it is a natural material,
shellac is also perishable and after six months an ordinary solution of
shellac and alcohol begins to undergo a chemical change: it gradually
takes longer to dry; the dried film is softer and more prone to
scratches and water damage. This change is even more pronounced for
bleached shellac. After 18 months it may take hours to dry or not even
dry at all and is considered to have expired. Exposure to heat also
accelerates the expiration process.
Fresh shellac is remarkably water-resistant and, in most cases, will
stay clear after hours of exposure to water, making it a great finish
for most interior surfaces, including woodwork, trim, doors, cabinets,
paneling, floors (yes, floors!) and furniture.
Shellac will adhere tenaciously when applied over almost any other type
of finish. When used as a sealer under certain polyurethanes, however,
regular shellac may not be compatible because it contains a small
amount of natural wax. To seal wood before applying polyurethane and
other finishes any grade of dewaxed shellac will suffice.
Shellac is UV-resistant and does not yellow or darken with age. The
dark shellac that people see in older homes is a less-refined version
of shellac that either was naturally dark or was tinted by contractors
when dark wood colors were preferred in the early 20th century.
Shellac's Great Properties
Shellac has such remarkable properties that if it were just recently
discovered it would be hailed as a miracle finish of the 21st Century.
- All-natural: Shellac is an all-natural resin of insect origin that is harvested regularly and is therefore a renewable resource.
- Fleeting alcohol odor: Shellac is dissolved in denatured
ethyl alcohol. It has a fleeting, antiseptic odor that dissipates
quickly as the product dries.
- Easy to use: Shellac is user-friendly and virtually goof-proof. It can be applied with a brush, pad, sprayer, or wiping cloth.
- Super-fast dry time: Shellac dries to the touch in minutes and, in most cases, can be sanded or recoated in a little over half an hour.
- Cold temperature application: Unlike other finishes shellac
can be applied in cold temperatures (40° F. and below) without concern
over proper drying and curing.
- Non-toxic/hypoallergenic: The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has certified shellac as a protective glaze for candy and pharmaceuticals.
- Non-yellowing/non-darkening: Shellac is UV resistant and will not yellow or darken with age—unlike oil-base finishes.
- Enhances the beauty of wood grain: Shellac brings out the rich warmth of wood grain. Finished surfaces look soft and natural, not plastic-coated.
- Sticks to glossy surfaces and finishes: Shellac is prized by everyone who uses it for its incredible adhesion. It will stick to just about anything.
- Dried film is impervious to odors: Two or more coats of shellac will seal in any kind of odor in any type of porous surface.
- Stain sealer: Shellac is arguably the world's most effective stain and knot sealer
- Easy to touch up and recoat: Unlike other finishes shellac
can be easily touched up if it is scratched or worn—a new coat of
shellac melts itself into the existing coat.
- Easy to clean up or remove: Shellac is dissolved by household ammonia as well as alcohol, making it very easy to clean brushes and other tools.
