Anyone use gum sandarac?

**Tavy** · Oct-09-2009, 4:09am

I've heard this recomended for mixing with shellac to produce a somewhat harder finish... but anyone use this?

Curiously yours, John.

**Rick Turner** · Oct-09-2009, 4:21am

For another interesting additive for French polish, check out Acryloid B-72, often used in the museum conservation trade.

**sunburst** · Oct-09-2009, 7:45am

I've never used gum sandarac, but if you do some research on violin varnishes past and present, you can learn about myriad exotic sounding additives and what they are intended to do. This stuff goes back centuries, with the results on display on violins that have been around as long, so the risks of using traditional, historic additives are small.

**austin** · Oct-09-2009, 8:44am

I use about 5-6 grams of sandarac for every 45 grams of shellac flakes in my varnish. There are some gums/resins that work well from historical recipes for varnishes, some not so well. Experiment and see what works for you.

Whatever you decide to add, be sure it is well dissolved and filtered, as most of those resins (and shellac) usually have pieces-parts in them that you don't want in your finish.

**amowry** · Oct-09-2009, 12:19pm

I use it too, though I've tried shellac with and without and haven't noticed much of a difference.

I mostly like the smell!

**woodwiz** · Oct-09-2009, 12:49pm

To 10 parts shellac, I add 1.5 parts by weight of Sandarac, and 1.5 parts Mastic. Makes a very good spirit varnish, and also great for touchup and French polishing.

For filling cracks, I use shellac and sandarac 50/50, as thick as I can make it and still have it flow into cracks. If you have the right consistency you can run a bead less than 1mm wide, which dries fast (overnight) and is easy to scrape level.

**victor seal** · Oct-09-2009, 1:15pm

I use it make a sealer for violins. I don't have the recipe right now, but if you want it I can get it for you. It is easy to make and works great. Vic.

**David Newton** · Oct-09-2009, 7:16pm

I have a vague impression that adding sandarac to my polish jobs build slightly thicker, and are slightly harder. I like the smell, and it isn't any more trouble to add it in at about 10% or so. What can it hurt?

Sandarac is listed as the hardest of the natural resins, so it is probably more brittle. Not so good for instruments used alone.
I read somewhere (probably on the internet) that in earlier days it was used alone and was considered the ultimate polish for furniture.