Will beer disolve shellac?

[David Romano]

I realize that I could try this experiment myself and answer my own question, but I'll ask anyway

[Jim Becker]

Not unless you let it sit on the surface for a long time...shellac doesn't instantly melt unless you pour pure alcohol on it. So...outside of that grain alcohol party you might have planned, your beer isn't going to destroy your shellac finish if you take a modicum of care. Coasters, quite obviously, are recommended....

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello,

Will beer disolve shellac?

Not really - but it will damage it.
Old Overholt will also - only much quicker.

DAMHIKT....

The good news is that the damage can be repaired.
The bad news is that it's rough with a raging hangover....

[David Romano]

Hmm, how about Oban or Bulleit?

[Steven Wilson]

Shellac that has cured doesn't self destruct in the presense of alcohol. It's takes awhile. Besides, if damaged it's easy to repair.

[Steve Schoene]

Now who is going to waste enough of either of those fine sipping whiskeys to damage shellac.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello David,

Hmm, how about Oban or Bulleit?

I'm not 100% positive about those two.
I do know that:
1 - fifth of hooch (some cheap rot-gut whiskey)
+ 1 case of Stroh's beer
+ 2 fools trying to kill brain cells
+ 1 dining room table finished w/shellac

= considerable damage to the finish after all was said done and spilled.

Date - 12/30/1971

The rot-gut did the most damage - softened the shellac and left white spots wherever it was spilled.
The beer in brown "long necks" took it's toll also. There were definite "ridges" in the shellac left by the bottoms of the lined up "dead soldiers".

[Ted Jay]

I realize that I could try this experiment myself and answer my own question, but I'll ask anyway

Ok David... How much shellac did you eat???
Try the 151, that should take care of you... and the shellac!

[David Romano]

151? I haven't seen a bottle of that stuff since way before I was supposed to. No fond memories there. But seriously, I was wondering just how delicate shellac is. For example, would it be a bad idea to use it on an end table where someone may put, and possibly spill, a drink?

David

[Steve Schoene]

To summarize, it would be a bad idea only if you expect that the spilled drink would be left til "in the morning" to clean up. But you wouldn't have to sprint breathlessly to fetch a paper towel. That said, coasters wouldn't be amis.

[David Romano]

Thanks everyone for your advice and for your sense of humor about it!

David

[Chris Padilla]

Are you trying to mix beer with your shellac to dissolve it? Go get some real alcohol made for that...*SIGH*