For industrial buyers, formulators, and professional end-users, choosing the right shellac isn’t
just about picking a colour from a chart; it’s about understanding the underlying chemistry
and how it affects performance. The single most critical technical distinction in the shellac
world and the one that causes the most confusion and application failures is between
standard “waxy” grades and refined “dewaxed” grades. This one factor profoundly influences
the resin’s clarity, solubility, adhesion, compatibility with other materials, and overall
performance in any given application. Understanding the difference between waxy and
dewaxed shellac is essential for making the right purchasing decision.
The Nature of Shellac Wax
Natural shellac resin, as it is secreted by the insect and processed into seedlac, naturally
contains approximately 3% to 5% wax. It’s important to understand that this wax is a separate
chemical component from the resin itself, with different properties.
The key properties of shellac wax that affect formulations are that it is a relatively hard,
natural wax with a high melting point. Most crucially for formulators, while shellac resin
dissolves readily in alcohol (like ethanol or methanol), shellac wax is largely insoluble in cold
alcohol.
Waxy Shellac: Characteristics and Uses
When standard seedlac, button lac, or regular flake shellac is dissolved in alcohol to make a
solution (a “cut”), the resin goes into solution perfectly. However, the wax remains suspended
as myriad tiny, insoluble particles. This gives the solution a characteristic cloudy, turbid, or
milky appearance. When the finish is applied and dries, this wax becomes trapped within the
resin film.
● Pros: The presence of wax can act as a lubricant, which is highly beneficial for the
traditional process of French polishing. It also gives the final finish a slightly softer, more
satiny, and warmer sheen compared to the high, brittle gloss of dewaxed shellac.
Furthermore, due to fewer processing steps, waxy shellac is less expensive to produce.
● Cons: The wax reduces the film’s water resistance and causes a slight optical haze or
lack of ultimate clarity. Most importantly, the wax is a release agent and is the primary
cause of adhesion failures when trying to apply other types of finishes (like polyurethane,
lacquer, or water-based topcoats) over a shellac base coat.
The Dewaxing Process
To create dewaxed shellac, this waxy solution must be subjected to a filtration process. This is
an industrial shellac filtration process carried out in the factory. The shellac is dissolved in a
solvent, sometimes heated to melt the wax, and then passed through a series of increasingly
f
ine filter presses or centrifuges to physically remove the suspended wax particles and other
impurities. The solvent is then evaporated off to retrieve the pure, wax-free resin flakes.
Dewaxed Shellac: Characteristics and Uses
A solution made from dewaxed shellac flakes is crystal clear and transparent, with no
turbidity.
● Pros:
○ Superior Clarity: This is essential for applications like fruit coatings, clear wood
f
inishes on fine grain, and cosmetic applications where the substrate’s true colour
must shine through without any haze.
○ Universal Compatibility: Without the interfering wax, the resin adheres tenaciously
to almost anything and, crucially, allows almost any other type of finish to adhere
tenaciously to it. This makes it the industry-standard “barrier coat” or universal
sealer.
○ Improved Water Resistance: The resulting film is harder, denser, and more durable
against moisture ingress.
When to Use Dewaxed Shellac?
You should almost always specify dewaxed shellac for:
● Food glazing and fruit coating applications.
● Pharmaceutical coatings and binder applications.
● Sanding sealers in woodworking, especially under other finishes.
● Any application requiring high-gloss optical clarity.
● Any situation where the shellac will be top-coated with another material.
Conclusion:
At SK Shellac, we manufacture a full range of both waxy and dewaxed products to meet every
technical requirement and budget. By understanding these fundamental differences, buyers
can partner with us to select the exact grade that ensures optimal performance and avoids
costly failures in their specific formulation.