On Jul 23, 2008, at 10:10 AM, Drew Ellison wrote:
> I use regular clear canned stuff from the hardware store. Mostly on
> cotton tape, but have also used on padded tape and it works fine. I
> like to do a lot of coats and get it real shiny. It will also be slick
> if it gets wet, but I like the look. After the first few coats (4 or
> 5) it feels pretty rough and grippy, but I don't like the look, so I
> keep going and after about 15-20 coats, it gets nice and pretty. I've
> got a couple of seasons now with some of my bars this way and they
> look great still. They don't get dirty and I give 'em a new coat once
> in a while when I'm doing another set of bars. Of course, they have to
> be thin coats and allow them to dry well between coats, so it takes a
> while (a week or longer) to do a set of bars, and near the end of the
> process I'll flip the bike over and get the bottom of the bars well
> shellaced too.
>
I use clear Bullseye. If it feels a bit rough sand it before the next
coat. If you want interesting colors uise white tape and dye the
shellac with cloth dye-powder-or alcohol based ink (available in every
possible color at the art supply store). I never need more than 2 or 3
coats.
And for a really nice look use pigmented shellac on white tape. It
comes out a beautiful cream color that draws admiration where ever you
go.
Phil Brown
In beautiful Berkeley, Calif.