Filtering shellac

[Albert.A]

Hey guys. I am back in the workshop for the summer and I'm getting close to the finishing stage on a pipe. I bought some dewaxed flake shellac from a while back so I thought I'd try using it on a pipe to see if I like it.

I did a quick search on the forum and read that I should filter the shellac after it has dissolved.

Why do you need to filter it? Is it just to remove impurities? And what kind of filter should I use coffeefilter?

Thats all for now.

/Albert

[RobEsArt]

Yes, filtering removes any impurities/solids that did not/will not disolve. You don't want those bits getting transferred to your work piece.

There are many filters available from a good paint/finish store. The disposable ones from an auto body paint store work well. A reusable coffee filter works equally well (make sure the component materials do not react with alcohol, and clean it thoroughly immediately after each use).
I teach airbrush painting techniques at WMU, and I use a copper mesh screen in a modified plastic pigment bottle to strain airbrush paint.

Good luck, happy filtering.

RobE

[Albert.A]

Thanks alot, much appreciated!

/Albert