I have a bag of shellac flakes and want to touch up my handlebars - they're already shellaced but some has worn off. I'll need a very small amount and don't want to end up with another full jar that I'll never use. So I'd like to mix up a small amount. But all info I find online is about large quantities, with formulas given in the arcane and confusing "2 pound cut" jargon, and they warn you how it won't dry, or won't last, or how the world will end if you don't mix it like Antonio Stradivari did.

Has anyone had good results mixing up small amounts without measuring?

just add a small amount of flakes to your alcohol. if it is too thin add a little more too thick add a little alcohol it can be as thick or thin as you want

I just put the amount of alcohol I think I need in a cup and add flakes until I get the shade/consistency I think I would like that time. One coat for existing, two coats for new tape. It's going to be runny/drippy anyway. No leftovers. Like baking. Haven't made a full recipe of cornbread, biscuits, pancakes in ages either. A little this, a little that, just like Grandma

That's about what I thought. Thanks guys.

Let the flakes soak overnight in the alcohol. Even if you have a magnetic stirring device or a paint shaker it takes time to know if your mix is any good. Patience.

When French polishing old furniture coats of shellac will be much less than 0.001”, dry time is near instant. When soaking cotton tape it might take a week to get completely dry. Possible to go ride the bike as long as your hands don’t stick even if you know it is not dry. Shellac will always dry. Dries out in the can.