Shellac In The Uk

[sandy101]

So, I took the plunge and took one of my Parker 51's apart.

 

It came with a misaligned nib ( the hood and nib were misaligned).

 

So, I heated it with a hair-dryer, got the hood off, removed the nib, to discover what I thought was a steel nib, was in fact a rather dirty 14K gold nib.

 

Then it took me about 15-20 minutes to work out where to start screwing the hood back on.

 

Having succesfully done this, I went to the shops to get some shellac (nail polish) to put it back together, only to discover that most shops don't sell it. They sell gel these days, and the shellac versions are regarded as salon (professional) products.

 

Not to worry, I was able to order it online - e-bay & Amazon have stockists, so the polish will be here by Wednesday.

 

I just thought I'd share this with folk in the UK.

 

 

[Inkysloth]

Im not confident that shellac nail polish is genuine shellac (lac beetle secretions dissolved in alcohol.)

 

This article makes me think youre better off using actual shellac: http://ohmynailpolish.com/types-of-nail-polish/5-facts-about-shellac-nails/

Edited March 10, 2019 by Inkysloth

[dapprman]

For reference - for cheap pen repair bits (including shellac) there is The Pendragons, which is some where Dorset/Cornwall wise.

[siamackz]

For reference - for cheap pen repair bits (including shellac) there is The Pendragons, which is some where Dorset/Cornwall wise.

I am in India and order my restoration supplies front pendragons in the Uk. I can vouch for their fantastic service and products

[tamiya]

I wouldn't trust beauty supply stores.

 

I'd rather go to a hardware store that services woodworkers, or better still go where luthiers buy from. Different varnishes on a wood instrument can change its tone so they're very particular.

[fabri00]

I do not think you need shellac for the hood of a parker 51.

After using shellac there, you never will be able to unscrew it again.

[sandy101]

Shellac was what Parker originally used. A hairdryer/gentle heat is used to remove it.

[sandy101]

Thank you for the tip - order duly places with Pendragons for some repair supplies.

[Paul80]

I got my first bottle from Pendragons eBay chop (Chillipea) years ago

 

Then got some shellac flakes from my local hardware shop to make my own.

 

To this day I am still using that little bottle from Chillipea and yet to start on my home made stock.

 

A little goes a very long way.

 

With the Aerometrics 51's you don't need any on the hood threads, the Vac version might need some but nowadays it's recommended to use a rosin based sealer.

 

Paul

[Brianm_14]

Do bear in mind that shellac in solution ages and progressively loses it's ability to dry over several years. Some people will report exceptions to this, but woodworkers and others know commercial shellac solutions bear expiration dates, and they will also test solutions for drying time before using them.

 

It is best to make up or buy only small amounts of shellac solutions (shellac in denatured alcohol) and test a bit for drying, especially if you have not used it in a while.

[Cris56]

Be advised that Shellac nail polish is a merchandising name and is not true Shellac.

Shellac flakes can be found in big hardware stores or chains, I obtain mine here in Australia from Bunnings. They are very successful in this country against the epic failure to enter the UK market. I am posting a recipe for mixing your own.

 

MAKING SHELLAC.

 

1. Small Vial (I use an old contact lens vial)

2. Syringe with milliliter markings (I used a 12 mL syringe)

3. Digital Scale, sensitive to .1 gram

4. 10 Pieces of Dewaxed Shellac Flakes

5. 4 mL Denatured Alcohol (Methylated Spirits).

 

Ground up the Shellac Flakes, as small as possible.

A mortar and pestle would be useful.

Grounding up the flakes makes dissolving easier.

 

Measure out 1 gram of grounded Shellac Flakes.

 

Pour the 1 gram grounded Shellac Flakes into the small vial.

 

Measure 4 mL of Denatured Alcohol (Methylated Spirits).

 

Add 4 mL Denatured Alcohol (Methylated Spirits) to the 1 gram ground Shellac Flakes.

If you are unable to measure out 4 mL of Denatured Alcohol (Methylated Spirits),

you can approximate the amount of Alcohol to add by using 2/3 Alcohol

by volume to 1/3 Shellac Flakes by volume.

 

Stir the Alcohol/Flakes mixture, then cap the vial.

The Shellac Flakes will take 3-6 hours to completely dissolve before being ready to use.

It's important to keep the vial capped, as the alcohol will evaporate rapidly.

You'll have enough shellac glue to repair a dozen pens.

The shelf life to the shellac is approximately 6 months to a year,

if you keep it capped and store it in a cool dry place.

Edited March 15, 2019 by Cris56

[siamackz]

Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!