Thread: Ozuku JNat: problem using shellac

I'd rather have it be complicated in the research process than later on. I didn't really look into shellac enough and since it didn't cure properly, it got more complicated than if I had just done it right the first time around. That's why I'm going through all the options now. Thanks for all the tips everyone.

I'm pretty sure I have found a US source for cashew. It comes in a BIG size that needs to be thinned so I'm going to have a ton of it if I do get it. If it works out, I will post here, because I will be interested in splitting the tub with anyone else who wants some. Dunno if I can ship it, though. I figure if it can be shipped to me, I can ship it, too. We'll see...

Originally Posted by heirkb

I'd rather have it be complicated in the research process than later on. I didn't really look into shellac enough and since it didn't cure properly, it got more complicated than if I had just done it right the first time around. That's why I'm going through all the options now. Thanks for all the tips everyone.

I'm pretty sure I have found a US source for cashew. It comes in a BIG size that needs to be thinned so I'm going to have a ton of it if I do get it. If it works out, I will post here, because I will be interested in splitting the tub with anyone else who wants some. Dunno if I can ship it, though. I figure if it can be shipped to me, I can ship it, too. We'll see...

Link?

Agreed- for me research and experimentation is half the fun!

Cashew appeals to the purist in me- no compromises. If you score some and it's shippable then I'll buy a bit off you if you have some to spare- just teach me how to use it.

Best of luck with it and, again, sorry for too much info. I paint, so I get into the minutiae of materials, and this is really my cup of tea. Plus, it's an opportunity to give a little back to the forum- I've learned a heckuva lot here!

Originally Posted by Rubicon

Link?

Agreed- for me research and experimentation is half the fun!

Cashew appeals to the purist in me- no compromises. If you score some and it's shippable then I'll buy a bit off you if you have some to spare- just teach me how to use it.

Best of luck with it and, again, sorry for too much info. I paint, so I get into the minutiae of materials, and this is really my cup of tea. Plus, it's an opportunity to give a little back to the forum- I've learned a heckuva lot here!

No need to apologize. I'd rather have the info complicate things so that once I make a decision, I know it's a good one. All your help along the way has been really great!

Cashew is not shippable even in the US now...I thought it would just be across international borders, but not so

Originally Posted by Rubicon

The shellac you already have on there will work, it just needs to be properly applied (or, in this case, re-activated) and allowed to cure fully. Easy steps, involving cheap denatured alcohol, are outlined above.

Btw- don't subject it to warm/hot water as this will soften it because the waxes in shellac have a low melting point.

Tung oil isn't "oil" per se, that's just what it's called. It dries/cures/polymerizes just like laquer/urushi/cashew/shellac/polyurethane- transparent, sealing, and durable (enough). I truly think in this application it'll outperform your other options and will even look the most like what the Japanese use.

If I were you I'd use the Tung because it's waterproof and the closest thing, in every category, that I am aware of to traditional Jnat sealers that's readily available here. I'd experiment first, on dense wood or a rock or a brick or whatever's handy. Follow the directions, see what it does, and decide how you like it.

I'll get around to experimenting with Tung Oil on Jnats one of these days. The one I have was sealed in Japan so it won't be anytime soon though.

I probably tossed out WAY too much info, which is confusing. I agree this is getting too complicated. Do your research, take your time, and my $.02 is not to use anything artificial. IME playing with new stuff is developing a new skill and interacting with the world around us so, most of all, enjoy!

As I stated earlier in the post I use wax-free shellac, and I have no problems with it.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I think you are getting way too involved in a simple process of sealing stone.

+1 You can even use clear nail polish. It doesn't have to be complicated.

I wouldn't use pure tung oil it takes several days to cure.

Well, I got a lot of the shellac off it seems. Took a surprisingly decent bit of work...

I used the stone using Stefan's methods and it was awesome. The razor was ridiculously sharp. Sharp as my Y/G Escher, but smoother. It was a Kropp razor, which I had two of. The first I honed and finished on the Y/G Escher and this one on the Ozuku. Very very happy with the results so far.

I like shellac for head cement on my trout flies, but that use consumes it verrrry slowly and I've learned that old shellac takes up water from the air. Once it's taken up some critical amount it doesn't dry properly in any amount of time.

I have no idea how long that is. But anyway, try a brand-new can from a store whose stock turns over quickly. Or you can go hard-core and buy shellac flakes from a high-end woodworking outfit and make your own. I think the solvent is just denatured alcohol.

Good luck with it.

Originally Posted by heirkb

I used the stone using Stefan's methods and it was awesome. The razor was ridiculously sharp. Sharp as my Y/G Escher, but smoother.

We need more info like this, so as to deflate the Escher balloon.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Importing from Japan will probably be impossible, because urushi presents health hasard, it causes severe allergic reactions and it take weeks to cure.

FWIW, cashew is in the same family (Anacardiaceae) as poison ivy. If you've had a reaction to PI, be extra-careful handling the cashew oil.

I read the whole thread this morning, and see that my input on shellac was pretty silly. Sorry for not reading more before posting.

Originally Posted by roughkype

FWIW, cashew is in the same family (Anacardiaceae) as poison ivy. If you've had a reaction to PI, be extra-careful handling the cashew oil.

I read the whole thread this morning, and see that my input on shellac was pretty silly. Sorry for not reading more before posting.

Cashew doies not cause allergic reaction, urushi does.