Question
Does anyone have any info on formulating finishes from bee propolis? I have found one recipe that violin makers use and it is quite labor intensive. From what I know it’s considered a resin and acetone will dissolve it slowly.
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor C:
1 oz - propolis
7 oz - acetonic isopropyl alcohol (anhydrous isopropyl)
1/2 oz. - ethyl ether
Not very good varnish, why and what would you be using it on? Violins? You'd be better off sticking to sandarac varnish, tempered with mastic and shellac with spike lavender oil or one of the fixed oil varnishes if you must. There's also a hybrid acrylic tung that performs better than any of the old recipes.