Question 1

How does this come out if one uses 99.5% isopryl alcohol to cut it, instead of denatured alcohol (which i am restricted from buying in ca)?

Accepted Answer

The danger in shellac is water.  The less, the better.  Water clouds shellac and makes it whitish.  Any solvent that doesn't evaporate too quickly or too slowly will work.  High evaporative (like acetone) makes a better remover than applier.  Methanol evaporates quickly, but slowly enough to make it the standard.  Fumes be toxic tho.  I used a 95% ethanol denatured alcohol because I was in an enclosed space.  It worked great.  I've seen 200-proof SB40 denatured here.  Very low water ISO, such as you mention, would work pretty well.  You actually have a bit more time to work the shellac around.  Let it dry and cure longer.  ISO fumes can be harmful, but not nearly as acutely toxic as methanol.  You can get light-headed from ISO, but the metabolite of ISO in the body is acetone, much less harmful than the metabolite of Methanol--formaldehyde--which your body then metabolizes to formic acid---which is bad-Bad-and BAD. 
I hate methanol--1/3oz will blind you--1oz may kill you.  Seek immediate medical attention if you ingest it.
ISO sucks water out of humid air too, so tightly seal your shellac solution and don't make much beforehand.  Shellac is best stored as flakes in a sealed bag.

Question 2

How many pints will this make?

Accepted Answer

It varies based on how concentrated the shellac is in solution, called the 'cut'. 16 oz. of flakes will make 8 pints of 1 lb. cut and 4 pints of 2 lb. cut. A 1lb. cut is a ratio of 1lb. of flakes in 1 gallon solution.

Question 3

What's the difference between the blonde, super blonde and garnet?  Thanks-

Accepted Answer

Color, simply put.  The super-blonde that I purchased is honey-colored in solution with alcohol.  When applied to pine, as in my case, it is quite hard to see that you've put any on, at first.  It's more of a sheen than color.
Blonde shellac will give you that honey color on the wood or complement a darker wood like walnut.
Amber moves into orange-y tones and adds warmth.
Garnet is deep orange/reddish.  Great for antique-effect.
The more layers applied, the more the color approaches that of the shellac flakes.

Question 4

Is this shellac 100% exudate from the female indian lac bug? Or is it a mixture with any synthetic ingredients?

Accepted Answer

package does not list any additives ,package  reads premium de waxed shellac flakes , bar code label de waxed super blonde shellac flakes 16oz new, imported from India. never had issue issue using it as a sealer before finishing or using is  as a finish by itself . prefer to mix my own as its safe for toys . premixed from stores has additives for shelf life and you never know how fresh stock is.

Manufacturer	Old World Shellac LLC
Item Weight	386 g
Package Dimensions	25.4 x 15.24 x 8.13 cm; 386 g
Batteries Included?	No
Batteries Required?	No

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Old World Shellac De-Waxed Super Blonde Flakes 1 lb. (16 oz.)

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