I like to do shellac from flakes and have a couple bags (blonde and garnet) since 2014 or thereabout. Needed some garnet so set to make a 3# cut for about 3 oz. After 1 day the mix instead of having a clot of shellac in the bottom was like a suspension , not foamy but looking like that. The alcohol was from an old can or bottom of old can. Had this happen once before with the blonde but the next time it worked fine. Anyone know what is going on?

I think I read somewhere that flakes in a sealed container won't go bad with age. I'd more easily suspect moisture in the alcohol.

I waste more money on finishes just sitting on the shelf getting old. But what does a person do buy small quantities and pay the price of a quart ? It is not like we do finishing on a daily basis, we change projects and want an different color then a year or two later look in the can and see a big lump of $20. finish with a crack down the middle.. Maybe I'm the only one.

Herb

I'm thinking Gene has it. Flakes can ruin over time if not stored properly but that's some extreme conditions. I suspect the alcohol is at fault. If you have a way to warm it up a little and keep it stirred (I sometimes sit mine in the mailbox (black) on sunny days) to speed up the dissolution.

Fred I tried a twist on your idea. First tried a heat gun.....too hot shrunk the plastic bottle. Then tried hot water and that seems to be working as the stuff in the bottle is thinner than it was this afternoon. Will update on my results.

I keep my flakes (now 10+ years?) in the freezer, taking them out only when I want to make a batch. Never had a problem. 

update : still waiting but I did strain off what shellac had dissolved, then placed the flakes left in fresh alcohol and today looks like doing better. Also started some blonde shellac on Saturday and doing very well. Conclusion must have been the alcohol.