Technical Specifications

Technical Data Bulletin
ZINSSER Co., Inc. Somerset NJ 08875
Bulls Eye
®
Shellac
Traditional Finish & Sealer
 Available in clear and amber
 Dries dust free in minutes; recoat in less than one hour
 Adheres over any existing wood finish
 Dried film is UV resistant and non-yellowing
 Dried film is an odor barrier coating
 Dried film is non-toxic and hypoallergenic
 Cleans up with alcohol or ammonia and water
 Available in convenient 12 oz. aerosol form
Selection Data
Generic Type – 100% shellac-base finish and sealer avail-
able in Clear and Amber tones. It is manufactured using a
process that ensures long-term stability and shelf-life.
Recommended Uses
Wood Finish - Recommended as a traditional finish for bare or
previously coated interior wood surfaces, including
 Doors, trim, paneling, wainscoting, molding, etc.
 Cabinets, shelves, furniture, wicker, toys, interior
shutters, etc.
 Hardwood floors, stair treads and landings; rails,
banisters and spindles
 Plaster, metal and other hobby, craft or tool items
Bulls Eye Shellac is not recommended under polyurethane
finishes. To seal wood before finishing with polyurethane use
Bulls Eye
®
SealCoat
™
Universal Sanding Sealer.
Protective Sealer – Bulls Eye Shellac will help prevent tools
from rusting and metals from tarnishing. It’s a great all-
purpose sealer for golf clubs, wood toys, bric-a-brac, etc. and
will even stick to glass and ceramic tile.
Odor Barrier – Shellac is a natural odor barrier and will
effectively seal in odors from fire, pets, water damage, etc. on
bare or clear finished particleboard, woodwork and floors.
Apply 2 full coats.
Knot Sealer – Shellac holds back knot and sap bleed better
than any other coating. Scrape and sand the surface of the
knot to remove excess sap and wipe with a rag soaked in
mineral spirits. When dry apply Bulls Eye Shellac to the knot
area before priming the entire surface with an appropriate
primer.
Color/Tinting – A wide variety of colors can be achieved
by tinting Bulls Eye Shellac with alcohol-base stain, aniline
dye, or universal colorants - up to 4 oz. (120 ml) colorant per
gallon. Note that alcohol stains will dilute viscosity. If using
powdered dyes, shake to completely disperse dye material
and let container sit for a few minutes for bubbles to clear.
Tinted Bulls Eye Shellac may be mixed with white-pigmented
B-I-N
®
Primer-Sealer to lighten the color and increase hiding
power. Bulls Eye Clear Shellac may be mixed with Bulls Eye
Amber Shellac to produce any desired intermediate tone.
Tinted Bulls Eye Shellac may be used as a deep tint base
primer. Move quickly when brushing to avoid lap marks.
Contact Zinsser or visit our website (www.zinsser.com) for
detailed information on working with colored shellac. Always
test for colorant compatibility before final application.
Application Data
Surface Preparation – Surfaces must be clean, dry, and
sound. Remove any wax from surface with mineral spirits. Sand
bare wood as smoothly as possible and remove all sanding
dust. This is an important preparation step and should not be
overlooked since the smoothness of the final finish is
determined by the smoothness of the surface. Previously
applied wood stains must be completely dry. Previously applied
finishes must be clean and tightly adhered.
Application Requirements – Stir well before and
occasionally during use. Bulls Eye Shellac is pre-mixed in a 3 lb.
cut (i.e., approximately 3 pounds of shellac resin per gallon of
alcohol). May be applied at container consistency if desired. For
best application results thin shellac before using. Refer to the
chart below for thinning directions. Multiple thin coats of
shellac are more effective than 1 or 2 thick coats and will
improve the film build and give added depth to the final finish
on porous or open grain woods such as oak, mahogany, etc.
Apply evenly and consistently and allow to dry 45 minutes
before sanding with 120 or finer grit sandpaper. Remove all
dust and apply second coat. Allow subsequent coats to dry at
least 1 hour before sanding lightly and recoating. May be
applied over soundly adhered existing furniture finishes,
including lacquer, polyurethane, and varnish. Note: When dry
Bulls Eye Shellac is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, making it
ideal for children’s toys, craft items and furniture.
Reduction Directions
Desired cut Mix in a separate container
3-lb. to 2-lb. 2 parts alcohol + 5 parts shellac
3-lb. to 1-lb. 3 parts alcohol + 2 parts shellac
2-lb. to 1-lb. 1 part alcohol + 1 part shellac
Application Methods
Brush: For best results use a natural bristle or high quality
synthetic bristle brush. Apply a full brush load of shellac to the
surface following the wood grain and using full, even strokes.
Shellac begins to dry very quickly so do not over-brush. Wait
until shellac dries before touching up areas that may have been
missed. Subsequent coats will blend any touch-ups into the
overall finish.
Wiping: Use a lint-free cloth, folded to form a pad. Pour a small
quantity of shellac onto the cloth and wipe smoothly into the
wood. Stop wiping when surface is evenly coated and begins to
feel tacky.