I got my first can of cashew from Namikawa, but after the changes with the postal services from abroad to US, one can't get flame-able items via mail, so Namikawa do not stock anymore.I got it here, but they seem to be sold out right now.
http://www.namikawa-ltd.co.jp/cgi-bin/list_e.cgi
This place seems to have it.
http://ryujinswords.com/saya.htm
I can't remember what they thinner was that is good for cashew, I use mineral spirits and it works just fine, acetone also works. When I use mineral spirits the lacquer tends to form gel-like structure after a few months in a jar. In the original can with no thinning the lacquer can last for more than a year.Western lacquer thinner works, but does anyone know what "the right" thinner to use is?
I have tried turpentine it requires a lot of drying time and it does not smell very nice. Turpentine is used to thin Urushi, and to dry it properly one needs 25 C and high humidity, I think full polymerization happens after 2 weeks or something like that.I think that the Hyper Cafe site recommends turpentine IIRC. They are out of the clear lacquer, though, and their stock is not always very consistent.
Dave: do you have this product or a source for it? Or, what would you recommend that I purchase from a local hardware store? I got the "deer in the headlights" look from the paint guy when I told him what I wanted the sealer for
It is flamable.Why is Cashew Lacquer so restricted?
It is flamable.
You can ship flamable and not declare, but if they check the package randomly as I think they do, it is a felony, that is what the guy told me.I get flamable stuff in the mail all the time. Can't they just put a warning sticker on it? I just go some phenol formaldehyde glue the other day in the mail.
I am fairly certain that I have ordered flammable/hazardous materials online as well (oil painting mediums and solvents). My understanding is that they cannot be shipped via air (therefore, overseas shipments would be a problem in most cases), but can be shipped via ground/truck. So maybe slower and more expensive, but still possible/legal (at least within the US).
you can get cashew, the link was posted in the thread.So far the only alternative Ive heard mentioned is shellac. Is this the best option? What about something like epoxy or resin? Aside from being waterproof, what properties are desired?
Anyone with non-cashew lacquer experience that would care to share their process?
you can get cashew, the link was posted in the thread.
Shellac works just great on naturals, on synthetics I do not know, you need something viscous to avoid sealant penetration into the stone.Yes, and its over $80 not counting thinner or s&h fees and at least 2 weeks for it to get over an ocean.
I just have 1 stone that Im thinking of sealing right now and its just a synthetic aoto so almost doubling its cost with fancy, rare lacquer doesnt make much sense to me if there is a cheaper, more available alternative that will do the same thing.
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