Somewhere recently I saw a video using this finish.  Ran across this video on how it's made.  Now I'd like to find where it is sold.

 

 

Thanks for the post Dan.  Interesting info.  Related to it I've got a box of 55 different colored shellac sticks.  No bright primary colors, but a wide range of wood tint colors including black and clear.  I use them to fill/patch flaws in hardwood projects.  Melt in place or apply with friction on lathe spinning projects to add color variation.  

I also use what most call "French polish", a mix of shellac, linseed oil, and alcohol applied to lathe projects while spinning so the friction can set/dry the finish.  a few layers on finely sanded wood and you end up with a glossy finish like shown in the video.

4D

34 minutes ago, 4DThinker said:

Melt in place or apply with friction on lathe spinning projects to add color variation. 

 

I have heard of these but never tried them.  Are they soft enough to not mar the wood when applying them on the lathe?  I'm thinking the black and white colors may make a nice and quick finish on finials.

I watched the above video and haven't a clue where to buy it. I know you can buy button lac, I suppose if you source the pigments you could make some. If possible, that might be a better way, then you could just mix up small amounts of several colors. It is an interesting technique.

I've just pulled the box of them out of my bitterly cold garage, but even at room temp they are solid.  When I use them on my lathe I warm them up just a little and apply slowly so the friction of the spinning hardwood has them soft enough to rub off onto the wood.  As they are shellac based and not lacquer based they don't have as much working temp range.  They go from solid to almost dripping pretty quick as they warm up. 

4D

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

It is an interesting technique.

 

Thanks for the input Fred.  I just mesmerized how easy that looks and how shiny it gets.  I'm to lazy to try it although I did stumble across a list of what they use for pigment.  I think they use the herb turmeric for the Yellow.  

I have not tried but since lacquer can be colored I would think shellac could be too. As a matter of fact Chestnut Stains has shellac in it. So add color to shellac and then do a "French Polish". What 4D described is known as OB Shine juice, "French Polish uses a tightly rolled gauze like material with the shellac poured into the inside.