wood sealer mixture

May 23, 2005 11:25 PM

I am told by my sculpting teacher that there is a mixture of shellac and a form of alcohol called 'alcosol' that is used to seal wood carvings. Does anyone know of this or another solution to dilute shellac with to seal wood? I have a carving that is very porous and needs a good sealer before waxing. I am anxious to get this finished. LAG
posted by lag to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Best answer: Check out the Shellac FAQ. Shellac is diluted with denatured alcohol, and is often used in a heavily diluted form by woodworkers as a grain filler/sealant to even out absorption in blotchy woods. It's also used as a "regular" finish, of course. Info on shellac on carvings here. There is little in this post that could not be found by an appropriate Google, however.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 1:17 AM on May 24, 2005

There are lots of other fillers that you can use, also. A good book on wood finishing and a trip to a local woodworking store will set you right. I like the finishing books by Taunton personally.
posted by RustyBrooks at 7:48 AM on May 24, 2005

Oh and although I'm sure shellac is often used as a filler I usually use lacuer diluted with laquer thinner.
posted by RustyBrooks at 9:51 AM on May 24, 2005

Additionally, make sure you work in a well-ventilated space if you work with shellac. The alcohol fumes can really mess with your lungs. (I got pneumonia from working with shellac a few years ago.)

It's lovely stuff, though.
posted by litlnemo at 2:31 PM on May 24, 2005

The fume danger depends on what the flakes are cut with. The best solvent is pure grain alcohol, if you use that at worst all you'll get is drunk. Unfortunately grain alcohol tends to be expensive so it's cut with adulterants. It's the adulterants you have to be wary of. Read those material data safety sheets.
posted by Mitheral at 6:43 AM on May 26, 2005