How long does shellac from flakes last?

[Matt Meiser]

I mixed up some orange shellac from flakes in July. It has been in a sealed glass jar since then. I'm going to need some for a project I'm about finished with. Should I toss it and mix more, or should it still be good?

[Jim DeLaney]

I've used mixed shellac that was over two years old, with no problems.

The best way to check is to just put some on a piece of scrap wood. If it hardens, go ahead and use it on your project. Otherwise, discard it and start fresh.

[Dennis Peacock]

Usually about 6 months if kept in a cool/dry place. But it's best to just test a little of it on a scrap and see how it does. If it dries fine, then I'd use it as soon as I could.

[Steve Schoene]

Testing on scrap can be a bit unclear since so much of any first coat is absorbed by the wood. Test it on a hard surface such as glass or metal. It should dry quickly, (15 minutes give or take) and dry hard--no gumminess.