Bicycle Mechanics - shellac and aluminum

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voshchev
08-05-09, 05:11 PM
Hello All,

I realize this is kind of a silly question, but does shellac corrode aluminum? I recently removed my bar tape (shellacked cotton) and noticed that the bars are stained yellow in some places. Should I work to scrape off the remaining shellac or just cover it with cork tape and be on my merry way? Thanks ahead of time for answering silly questions!

Proofide
08-05-09, 06:03 PM
It shouldn't attack the aluminium. I've never heard that it does. You can clean off the remaining shellac with denatured or rubbing alcohol, which dissolves it. Any residual discolouration can be dealt with by polishing the bars with Solvol Autosol, then T-Cut or Brasso. I never quite see the point of coating cloth tape with shellac, as the latter discolours with exposure to water.