The Chainlink

Shellac on leather?

I'm gonna put shellac on my cork grips today and I was wondering if I could do the same to my leather mudguards? I'm guessing it would be ok. The color on the flaps is slightly lighter than my Brooks Honey B17 so I'm hoping a single coat or two will do the job. 

 

Any advice on how long I should wait in between coats and how thick or thin I should apply the layers? 

 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 30, 2011 at 5:25pm

Shellac should also work on leather, but I've never done it.

 

Slather the shellac on the grips with impunity, wait until dry to the touch, then slather on another coat to desired shade. It'll dry faster than you think

Permalink Reply by Ryan L on May 1, 2011 at 1:17am

So I ended up putting 4 coats of the Bullseye Amber on the cork and 2 coats on the mud flaps. The cork looks great but the mud flaps look a little messy. Had trouble getting an even coat on them without that sticky darker sludgy look. They actually don't look that bad but I'll take a picture of 'em tomorrow and let you be the judge. I might end up using some super fine sand paper on 'em and adding another coat, maybe.

 

Good Times!

Permalink Reply by Ed on May 1, 2011 at 1:21am

What's the reason for the shellac? 

I see it a lot in the Classic & Vintage forum, but have never thought to ask.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 1, 2011 at 8:23am

It seals the cork/cotton/whatever keeping it cleaner and from getting soaked.  It also looks nice and some people like how it feels.

 

In related news I understand it is made of smashed beetle shells which means Ryan is now rubbing his hands all over bugs when he rides...  I am so not shaking your hand anymore dude.

Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on May 1, 2011 at 10:04am

The beetles are edible, and so are the shellac flakes if you are mixing your own with a good bourbon instead of denatured alcohol. Conquer your fear, Dug. In addition, the shellacked cloth tape is basically permanent and indestructible, so you won't be replacing cork tape every year or so. Here's a link from Velo-Orange:

http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2009/01/shellac-and-bar-tape-guide.html

Permalink Reply by Ryan L on May 1, 2011 at 1:28pm

The main reason I did it was to match the color of my grips to that of the saddle. The same for the mud flaps which were a few shades too light. When I finish my coffee, I'm gonna go out and take some photos. It looks so bad ass!

 

And Dug, I've touched far worse things before shaking your hand already :)

Ed said:

What's the reason for the shellac? 

I see it a lot in the Classic & Vintage forum, but have never thought to ask.

Permalink Reply by Ryan L on May 1, 2011 at 3:40pm

Amazing what a $3 can of shellac can do. A girl yelled at me "nice bike" as I was leaving Uptown Bikes today. This thing is starting to look alright.

As you can see, the mud flaps look kinda shitty but only if you get really close can you tell.

I have a feeling it was the brush I was using. Next time I will use a much higher quality brush.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on May 1, 2011 at 3:44pm
Definitely porn worthy
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 1, 2011 at 5:31pm

Shellac will wash right out of the brush with denatured alcohol (unlike what Veloria says on Lovely Bike) so there really is no need to go with one of those cheapo foam brushes that suck so bad.  A decent brush can be used and you don't have to throw it away every time.  

 

I buy denatured alcohol by the gallon as it is so handy in cleaning so I always have a bottle of it around.  If you do a lot of shellacking a small bottle of alcohol just for swishing a brush around in is really handy.  Just wipe off the brush on a cleanish rag or paper towel and swish around again until the brush no longer is leaving shellac stains on the rag or paper towel.   Easy.

Permalink Reply by Vondo on May 1, 2011 at 6:14pm
Ryan, that looks awesome, is that a Tubus rack? I was thinking about blinging out my older fuji tourer similar to that
Permalink Reply by Ryan L on May 1, 2011 at 8:16pm
The rear is a Surly Nice Rack and the front is a Velo-Orange Pass Hunter. They both kick ass.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 2, 2011 at 8:31am

Ryan,

That is one nice looking bike. Goes to show that a good frame color and a set of well chosen components go a long way to replicate the look of a classic randonneur.

Great job!

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