A PDF document with information about this varnish and its preparation is available here.
The following is a double recipe (which is supplied in the pack):
• 90 grams seedlac
• 10 grams gum mastic
• 10 grams gum sandarac
• 10-14 ml. lavender spike oil (more oil yields a softer and more supple varnish, but slower curing)
Not supplied in the pack:
• 400 ml. of ethyl alcohol. We use denatured ethanol DAG-2A, which contains about 5-10% methyl alcohol.
Preparation Instructions
Place all of the ingredients in a glass jar to dissolve, stirring at least twice a day until the dry ingredients no longer sit and stick to the bottom of the jar (this may take from one to three weeks, there will be some naturally occurring, non-soluble dirt and sludge). When completely dissolved, boil in a double boiler for seven minutes, let cool, and then boil again for seven minutes. While still warm, filter through a cheesecloth). Cool varnish may be difficult to filter. Repeat the filtering process until there is no more dirt in the filter (2-3 times is usually sufficient). Once this process is complete, and the varnish has cooled, it is ready to use. Since alcohol is lost in the cooking process, adding a small amount of alcohol may be necessary to obtain brushing consistency.
The varnish colour will vary, depending on the particular shipment of Seedlac. This can range from a light yellow-gold, to an old-gold. The 1704 varnish will usually be very light without the use of colours. We prefer to start with a yellow base and build the darker colours on top. A varnish that does not have a good colour base of yellow tends to look incomplete regardless how much colour is put over the white wood. Suitable for application by brush or French polish. Spraying is possible but will not yield nearly as quality a result, in our experience.
