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Shellac/French polish
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=47601
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Author:  JSDenvir [ Sat Apr 09, 2016 5:58 am ]
Post subject:  Shellac/French polish

Does anyone know if shellac in solution benefits from being kept refrigerated?

As always, thanks in advance.

Steve

Author:  B. Howard [ Sat Apr 09, 2016 7:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac/French polish

I have never refrigerated mine but I do keep it out of the light. My concern with refrigerating it would be moisture accumulation and contamination.

Author:  JSDenvir [ Sat Apr 09, 2016 9:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac/French polish

Brian, are you talking about flakes or dissolved shellac in alcohol?

Author:  B. Howard [ Mon Apr 11, 2016 6:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac/French polish

was speaking of mixed shellac, but the same applies to my flakes and buttons.

When you refrigerate a liquid and then bring it out to room temp you will get condensation. That will introduce some water into the solution. Not good for shellac.

Author:  doncaparker [ Mon Apr 11, 2016 2:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac/French polish

Just thinking out loud:

We refrigerate food items in order to discourage/slow down the growth of bacteria, yeast and/or mold on the food. Those things can still grow in the cold, but it takes longer and it is not as successful. So, the food stays edible longer.

The solvent for shellac is alcohol with small amounts of other stuff in it (water, denaturing chemicals). Alcohol in that concentration is already not a very hospitable environment for bacteria, yeast or mold. I don't think cold adds any significant protection against such things growing; they are already not going to grow in the shellac/alcohol mixture.

Is there some other benefit that could come from refrigeration? I would not know either way.

Author:  JSDenvir [ Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac/French polish

Hi Don, I don't think it necessarily has to be organic to benefit from refrigeration. The fellow who sold me my CA glue suggested keeping it in the fridge as well. But you may well be right of the FP.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shellac/French polish

I was told to only refrigerate CA that hasn't been opened since once it is open it is subject to condensation if refrigerated.

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