Flakes vs ready-to-use?

[Jim Ball]

Shellac flakes over ready-to use in a can shellac seems to be the preferred choice of luthiers, but why is that?

Cost?
Control of/elimination of additives?
Freshness? (mixing only what you need when you need it?)
Other factors?

[John Parchem]

For me the shelf life of flaked is longer than prepared shellac. Also, for safety reasons I use Everclear to mix the shellac,so I do not have to worry about the toxic alcohols and additives in a prepared mixture. I have a wide choice of wax free colors to choose from. It is very easy to make.

[Dan Pennington]

Yup, flakes and Everclear for french polishing. Not breathing the bad stuff.

[Daniel P]

I'm a fan of shellac flakes and everclear as well. Very easy to mix up, and you knows its fresh.

Here in Washington they don't sell the high proof stuff, so I have to pick it up when I'm in Portland. Last time I was at the liquor store they went in back to grab me a bottle, came back out and said - "You don't look like the kind of guy who would drink this stuff" - I took that as a compliment.

[Dave Bagwill]

LOL. People DRINK that stuff?? Yikes.

[peter havriluk]

What's 'everclear'?

[John Parchem]

What's 'everclear'?

It is 95 proof drinkable alcohol. Very close to as pure ethanol as nature allows once exposed to air. Given the shellac is edible, I am finishing with a food grade finish.