White cotton bar tape and shellac
10-12-18, 06:23 AM
#1
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White cotton bar tape and shellac
For a while I have been using regular clear shellac with cotton tape but on my bikes with white tape it turns it off-white. As a possible solution to keeping it bright white I mixed about 10% of a shellac based primer and I am very pleased with the results. This may not be a problem for some but the off-white colour always bugged me.
10-12-18, 11:06 AM
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When did this shellac thing start, and what is the point of it? BITD I never heard of the concept of shellacing tape, and tape is cheap enough that I don't understand why you wouldn't just retape (a very quick job) rather than doing the messier, more time-consuming shellac finishing.
10-12-18, 11:24 AM
#5
When did this shellac thing start, and what is the point of it? BITD I never heard of the concept of shellacing tape, and tape is cheap enough that I don't understand why you wouldn't just retape (a very quick job) rather than doing the messier, more time-consuming shellac finishing.
10-12-18, 11:28 AM
#6
For a while I have been using regular clear shellac with cotton tape but on my bikes with white tape it turns it off-white. As a possible solution to keeping it bright white I mixed about 10% of a shellac based primer and I am very pleased with the results. This may not be a problem for some but the off-white colour always bugged me.
10-12-18, 11:45 AM
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When did this shellac thing start, and what is the point of it? BITD I never heard of the concept of shellacing tape, and tape is cheap enough that I don't understand why you wouldn't just retape (a very quick job) rather than doing the messier, more time-consuming shellac finishing.
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10-12-18, 11:48 AM
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When did this shellac thing start, and what is the point of it? BITD I never heard of the concept of shellacing tape, and tape is cheap enough that I don't understand why you wouldn't just retape (a very quick job) rather than doing the messier, more time-consuming shellac finishing.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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10-12-18, 01:05 PM
#10
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10% white pigmented shellac mixed with 90% clear? Congratulations, you've just reinvented the 1950s 'limed' finish. 
Good thinking. 
I can see how that would work if you want to keep the tape white. I like the amber to brown tint myself. FWIW it is possible to buy water white bleached shellac, but it's expensive and there's no point for something like this. Mixing in a small bit of white is a more prudent and economical method.
An advantage no one has mentioned is that Shellacked tape is helpful if the bike is going to be ridden in the rain. Semi water proof but not slippery. Soggy cotton tape is gross. I had shellacked tape on my commuter for years.
Yes, shellacking tape goes back decades, in France... It's growing popularity in the US coincided with the start of BQ magazine, more or less.
Good thinking. I can see how that would work if you want to keep the tape white. I like the amber to brown tint myself. FWIW it is possible to buy water white bleached shellac, but it's expensive and there's no point for something like this. Mixing in a small bit of white is a more prudent and economical method.An advantage no one has mentioned is that Shellacked tape is helpful if the bike is going to be ridden in the rain. Semi water proof but not slippery. Soggy cotton tape is gross. I had shellacked tape on my commuter for years.
Yes, shellacking tape goes back decades, in France... It's growing popularity in the US coincided with the start of BQ magazine, more or less.
10-12-18, 01:12 PM
#11
Not so much constructeur French as cheapskate French. Think Asterix rather than Alex Singer. For that matter cheapskate Americans have done shellac over twill tape for tool handles and tennis rackets and whatever for a long time.
OP is talking about adding white pigmented shellac to clear shellac. Gugie's photo shows amber shellac over white tape. Amber shellac is what shellac looks like. Clear shellac has been bleached but would look something like amber if you kept piling it on long enough. Amber goes to tobacco brown with time and recoating. Straight white pigmented shellac would not soak in good and would flake off a bit. OP's version is interesting and worth a try.
Adding acrylic or oil primer to clear shellac is only going to ruin a can of shellac.
OP is talking about adding white pigmented shellac to clear shellac. Gugie's photo shows amber shellac over white tape. Amber shellac is what shellac looks like. Clear shellac has been bleached but would look something like amber if you kept piling it on long enough. Amber goes to tobacco brown with time and recoating. Straight white pigmented shellac would not soak in good and would flake off a bit. OP's version is interesting and worth a try.
Adding acrylic or oil primer to clear shellac is only going to ruin a can of shellac.
10-12-18, 02:20 PM
#13
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Pretty sure Rivendell's been pimping it longer. I learned how to do it from an elfdom buddy of mine.
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10-12-18, 02:28 PM
#14
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I resemble that remark!
Except the French part...
Except the French part...
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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10-12-18, 03:04 PM
#15
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You wear white gloves while you ride it, ?? (or do you just show it off)
I go with the color that remains on my hands after I mend a punctured rear tire ...
I go with the color that remains on my hands after I mend a punctured rear tire ...
10-12-18, 03:27 PM
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When did this shellac thing start, and what is the point of it? BITD I never heard of the concept of shellacing tape, and tape is cheap enough that I don't understand why you wouldn't just retape (a very quick job) rather than doing the messier, more time-consuming shellac finishing.
There is 3 coats of it on and the twill pattern is still showing through fine
As 63rickert said even clear dewaxed shellac turns white twill amber, which I dislike and where pure white pigment does flake with use I thought this would be a good experiment. And yes I am a cheapskate and a little french . . .but not that much
10-13-18, 03:50 AM
#19
verktyg
Shellaced Bar Tape - just an affectation?
When did this affectation start?
Who knows???
Today it's a
thing. But the Brits probably did it because it rains a lot there and the French because, well they're French!
Back in the mid 70's the guys at our shop tried it, more of an experiment because a lot of new bikes in our showroom had white cloth tape and we were always retaping the bars because they got dirty.
The biggest negative things we found were that unless the shellac was heavily applied it gave the tape a rough surface with tiny hard sharp points and... the bars lost a lot of the grip that we liked cloth tape for - easier to hold on to while trying to regain control after hitting unexpected rough spots in the road.
I don't mind when my white bar tape gets dirty. It shows that those bikes get ridden and not are not just for show.
I change the tape when it gets this dirty.
I know, I 'm just an unwashed heathen but it reminds me to wash my hands once in a while!
verktyg to each his own
Who knows???
Today it's a
thing. But the Brits probably did it because it rains a lot there and the French because, well they're French!Back in the mid 70's the guys at our shop tried it, more of an experiment because a lot of new bikes in our showroom had white cloth tape and we were always retaping the bars because they got dirty.
The biggest negative things we found were that unless the shellac was heavily applied it gave the tape a rough surface with tiny hard sharp points and... the bars lost a lot of the grip that we liked cloth tape for - easier to hold on to while trying to regain control after hitting unexpected rough spots in the road.
I don't mind when my white bar tape gets dirty. It shows that those bikes get ridden and not are not just for show.
I change the tape when it gets this dirty.
I know, I 'm just an unwashed heathen but it reminds me to wash my hands once in a while!
verktyg to each his own
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Last edited by verktyg; 10-13-18 at 04:02 AM.
10-13-18, 06:33 AM
#20
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Yes, yes it is.
Actually in the warmer weather I don't wear gloves. I find shellac good because when I do have roadside repairs, with a little soap and scrubbing most of the stains come out and the tape is still intact. After I repaint the bike this winter I do not plan to ride it much any more and focus on the next project.
A fred thing? I am not too sure about that, no need to be derogatory. My hands must not be as delicate as some, As a profession I drive heavy ruck and do mechanical work on such. The rough surface that limited coats of shellac produce is one of the qualities that I like as I do not wear gloves and sometimes and actually the rough surface produces a VERY good grip. BTW I love the beauty shot of your bikes.
Today it's a thing . . . The biggest negative things we found were that unless the shellac was heavily applied it gave the tape a rough surface with tiny hard sharp points and... the bars lost a lot of the grip that we liked cloth tape for - easier to hold on to while trying to regain control after hitting unexpected rough spots in the road.
thing . . . The biggest negative things we found were that unless the shellac was heavily applied it gave the tape a rough surface with tiny hard sharp points and... the bars lost a lot of the grip that we liked cloth tape for - easier to hold on to while trying to regain control after hitting unexpected rough spots in the road.
10-13-18, 09:29 AM
#21
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The shellac 'thing' started many decades ago and I do it for the same reason I glue tires onto rims and sew them back up after patching a hole. I find it very meditative.
The mix I used is approximately 90% clear shellac and 10% pigmented shellac primer, although any alcohol based tint would work as well, and yes I wrap my bars from the top down without the brake levers on.
Thanks for the other info, I had no idea. I did this in the 80's with pilfered supplies from the wood shop and home ec classes at High School.
The mix I used is approximately 90% clear shellac and 10% pigmented shellac primer, although any alcohol based tint would work as well, and yes I wrap my bars from the top down without the brake levers on.
Thanks for the other info, I had no idea. I did this in the 80's with pilfered supplies from the wood shop and home ec classes at High School.
I first tried shellac in about 1990, after seeing it on a Singer. I'll maintain it was exceedingly rare to shellac tape at that time, if you weren't French. Multicolor 'cork' tape was all the rage.At any rate your white tinted technique is kind of a new look. I decided I like it. It looks slightly nautical or something, perhaps I've seen something similar on a boat. I could also see that on a 1930s Paramount or something.
Slightly OT but 'clear' shellac usually means pale or at best platinum shellac, which does have some color to it. Bleached shellac really is nearly clear, but it's a specialty product with a short shelf life even in flakes, and no one carries it anymore. It would still turn the tape slightly off white I suspect, so the pigment method is smart if you want white.
10-13-18, 10:15 AM
#22
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I'm definitely going to try this method. Some bikes just look really nice with white tape, but all cloth gets dirty easily, and a lot of the soft synthetic tapes wear out in one season. I know that shellac lasts damn near forever.
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10-13-18, 11:46 AM
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Another, not quite traditional approach -- Use one of the "Crystal Clear" polyurethanes. Gives very similar performance to shellac, without the amber tint.
10-13-18, 04:02 PM
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I tried this Alex Stinger technique , just for something to do during the winter. I complements a vintage bike. I applied one dark coat, followed by 6 clear coats, , to get the shade I wanted. KB.
Edit: I have since , replaced the shellac tape for some more compfy gel tape and gel inserts. My hands took a beating.KB
Last edited by kcblair; 10-13-18 at 04:12 PM.
