Of all finishes, shellac is probably the easiest to use when it comes to cleaning and storing brushes because shellac dissolves easily in denatured alcohol and household ammonia.
The water will cause the shellac to turn white, or “blush.” If you have access to 95-to-100 percent pure propanol or isopropyl alcohol, you could use it for thinning without a problem. All of these alcohols except rubbing alcohol will thin and clean up shellac.
Denatured Alcohols (methylated spirits) for Shellac.
Shellac can be removed with denatured alcohol.
Removing shellac. Paint your surface with Methylated Spirits (denatured alcohol). Leave it to soften slightly and then moving in the direction of the wood grain, rub back the old shellac finish with 0000 steel wool.
Place doubled-up paper towels on a section of the top and saturate them with denatured alcohol. Smooth out any bubbles and then cover the paper towels with newspaper or plastic to slow the evaporation. After about 10 minutes, roll back the paper towels and wipe off the loosened shellac.
Repairing a Shellac Finish
Shellac is not alcohol- or water stain-resistant, but damage caused by either one can be easily repaired. You can buff out a white water stain on a horizontal surface (such as a tabletop) with a small amount of lemon oil and #0000 steel wool.
The type of alcohol used to dissolve shellac will depend on the intended use. For example, denatured alcohol is often used to dissolve shellac for use as a wood finish, while isopropyl alcohol is often used to dissolve shellac for use as a paint stripper.
In whatever historic literature I can find the recommendation for dissolving shellac is always 180 (or better) proof ethanol, the rest being water. So my guess is that it's the isopropal and methanol adulterants that give you the dissolving problem. (It's an easy test which I should do but haven't yet).
Reviving a Shellac Finish. Shellac, like lacquer, is prepared for revival by a light sanding, followed by a thorough vacuuming. Mix four parts of denatured alcohol with one part of shellac in a clean jar and mix completely. Brush this concoction onto the finish, working only one area at a time.
A good rule of thumb: Use a cloth to shellac wood if you're covering a large surface area and choose a brush for the job to finish tight edges and corners. Dip your rag into the shellac mixture and coat the wood using broad, even strokes and a generous amount of shellac.
Mineral spirits is similar to naptha in that it won't harm the shellac, but could leave a slight bit more residue. DNA runs the considerable risk of damaging the surface since it is a primary solvent for shellac. Lacquer thinner also runs a risk, since some lacquer thinners contain alcohols that could dissolve shellac.
Isopropyl alcohol is fine for mixing shellac. I believe that your mistake was not shaking/stirring from the beginning.
According to Boyce, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer are two of the best ways to remove polish without needing an acetone remover. "Apply some to a cotton ball or pad and place it on your nail," Boyce says. "Let it sit for about 10 seconds and gently rub it back-and-forth.
Wiping your gel nails with alcohol wipes is not the best way to safely remove the sticky residue because the high concentration of alcohol may damage or weaken the nail structure.
IMPROPER REMOVAL/APPLICATION – aggressive removal of CND™ Shellac™ including harshly scraping the natural nail with a metal tool can cause damage. As can over buffing of the natural nail – over buffing every few weeks can cause your nails to become thinner and weaker.
Any remover with an acetone content of 60 per cent or more will work, but it's best to find one designed to remove shellac or gel polish – like this one – as it will be less harsh on your skin and nail beds. Pure acetone is also very effective, but it can also be drying to your skin and nail beds.
The alcohol in many hand sanitizers can dry out polish and crack cuticles, causing polish to chip. “Nails that lack enough moisture often become brittle”, says Cassy Chao, manager of Dream Nails Salon. “Brittle nails don't receive and hold polish or shellac like a healthy nail bed will.”
The acetone does not dissolve the shellac; it actually just loosens the polish so you can push it off easily. If any does not come off easily, take a fresh cotton pad soaked in acetone to rub it off.
Acetone does not dissolve shellac nail polish, it simply facilitates loosening off the polish so as to allow you to easily remove it.
There are a few essential tools you want to have on hand when it comes to removing your gel nails, including the following: Remover: You have a few replacement options to use instead of acetone. Hand sanitizers, hydrogen peroxide, and cuticle oil are some of the most popular and effective methods.
"Klean-Strip Green” is a a retail brand of 190 Proof Denatured Alcohol. If you can find Klean-Strip Green or another high test 190 proof Denatured Alcohol, buy your shellac solvent locally and save on shipping. you will have more predictable results and eliminate one finishing variable.
Most salons only charge a small amount for shellac removal and use high-quality products that leave your nails in tiptop condition. Most salons use acetone with a 60% concentration or more.
Turpentine cannot be considered a solvent in the same way that alcohol dissolves shellac or water dissolves salt.