Shellac

[Rick James]

Opened up a new can of Shellac to seal some mulberry with and found the shellac in the can was brown colored--Is this normal? I kinda expected it to be a lot more clear looking liquid...
thanks, Rick

[Jeremy]

Shellac can vary widely in color and is generally sold by the color.  "Super blonde" is about the lightest you'll find and it's a very pale when applied and dry.  I use it all the time in the shop.  You can look at  www.shellac.net  (price list page) for a sampling of the colors and recommended woods.

If you're buying the premixed "Bullseye" dewaxed clear shellac what you're getting is a blonde shellac and it does look pretty brown in the can.  No need to worry, it'll dry not exactly clear, but about what the clear plolurethanes look like after a few years.