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I am wondering. Super-blond or clearest has least particulates etc. Why don't you use the cleanest shellac and then use color tints to ge desired tones--amber, blond, orange, garnetbob J39044.6090162037

I think that You are referring to shellac. I prefer the natural colors found in different grades of shellac, but I don't know of any reason that You couldn't tint your own.

Al

You can tint your own but I have heard it argued that the less processed the shelac is (ie not blond or clear) the better the quality and harder the finish. I have found that the Orange shelac I use that I have to dewax myself gives a much harder finish than the Blond.

Thanks for that tip Richard - I'll remember that the next time I buy shellac.

Bob: I've had success tinting shellac with analine dye that's already mixed with alcohol. I had trouble getting even shading on a top though.

-MarkMark Tripp39044.5321527778

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I use tinted shellac with analine dyes for sunbursts on mandolins. I'm not sure how traditional or PC that is, but it works and hasn't been an issue for me.

It seems to me that the above reasons for the natural color (harder, better) are probably the most compelling reason to use the less processed ones. Then again, it would be a pain in the butt to try and mix a perfect orange color if the shellac naturally has that going for it. Sometimes it is just right without having to mix your own colors.

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