Double Bass how to clean a shellac finish

[schleiermacher]

My son just acquired a very fine bass which has a shellac finish (a story in itself). What is the best way to clean and maintain such a finish?

 

[SVT4001]

Naphtha or mineral spirits will do a great job cleaning a shellac finish- a little on an old t-shirt will do, but mind the warnings on the can!

Also, test a little inconspicuous spot before proceding, just to make sure that it really is shellac.

Joe

 

[wcoffey81]

avoid anything with alcohol in it

 

[Jake deVilliers]

avoid anything with alcohol in it

Have you been talking to my wife?

 

[schleiermacher]

Thanks!

 

[fdeck]

Is shellac the same thing as spirit varnish?

 

[JoeyNaeger]

Yes and no...Spirit varnish will have shellac in it, but there will usually be other ingredients as well(copal, mastic, sandarac...).

 

[Jazzdogg]

avoid anything with alcohol in it

Or ammonia!