Originally Posted by
Snydermann
My question is, other than tradition, why use shellac as a preferred finish on bar tape anyway? I'd think polyurethane would be more flexible and durable in the UV light and moisture, although it might take longer to dry. Even acrylic lacquer (designed as a synthetic shellac) is more durable than shellac and dries fast too. You can even tint lacquer with dye and make it any shade you'd like. Has anyone tried polyurethane or lacquer on their bar tape?
This. I actually thought the same thing although I just kept using shellac on my old bars because I still had lots of it leftover. If I remember correctly shellac is not even recommended for outdoor applications.
It does look nice, but if you look at the picture I posted previously, you can see how it wears out over time. However, that may be one of the reasons its popular, because it gives a vintage look.