Shellac is a resinous substance that is secreted by an insect – the enamel shield louse. It accumulates on the branches of trees. It is found mainly in south and southeast Asia, particularly in India and In Thailand, shellac was formerly manufactured in large quantities. The annual output amounted to about 50,000 tons. One needs about 300,000 enamel shield lice to harvest a kilogram of shellac. For the gilder, shellac is mainly used as a protective coating. The use of shellac is restricted to the painting technique. Shellac is only usable for inside.
Combine 1 part by weight of shellac with 4 to 5 parts by weight of alcohol.
Combine the ingredients in a container with a tightly fitting lid. Soak the shellac flakes in about half of the alcohol to be used for 24 hours or longer. Stir occasionally, and when dissolved, add the balance of the alcohol. After fully dissolved shellac, it should be strained through a fine mesh cloth to remove impurities. Store in a cool and dark place.