Thinking about the old shellac flakes I found in my granddad's shop

Three years ago, I was cleaning out my granddad's old garage in Toledo after he passed. I found a dusty tin of orange shellac flakes he must have bought in the 70s. Last month, a client brought in a beat up 1920s gramophone cabinet, and I remembered that tin. I mixed a small batch, just to see. The smell when I dissolved it in alcohol was nothing like the pre-mixed stuff I usually grab. It had this warm, almost spicy scent. Working with it felt different too, like I was connecting with how he would have done things. It took more patience, but the depth on that old wood was something else. I wonder if anyone still uses the old flake method for special pieces, or if it's just not worth the extra time anymore.

2 comments

2 Comments

adams.vera2d ago

My uncle in Dayton still mixes his own shellac from flakes for his antique radio restorations. He says the pre-mixed stuff goes bad after a year but flakes last forever, so that tin from the 70s was probably perfect! I tried helping him once and you're right, that smell is wild, like old wood and honey. It's a total pain compared to a can from the store, but for a special piece you can't beat it. That cabinet must look amazing with a finish that has that much history in it.

phoenixa642d ago

The flakes are basically the hardtack of the wood finishing world. They'll outlive us all in a dusty tin. Your uncle is just building a time capsule for future antique radio people.