Gentlemen,


I need your assistance. I'm trying to reproduce the Soviet laminate orange, red, iodine look, using shellac and dyes. I have a general idea as to which dye colors to use, but I'm not certain when it comes to the shellac. I'm debating between Ruby Red, Garnet and Orange shellac. I make my own shellac using flakes and then add the dyes.

I know that there is no set standard when it comes to Cold War Soviet shellac on laminate. The "orange" laminate furniture I've seen ranges from bright orange (w/ a bit a brown), to burnt orange to more of an iodine color.

1. Which shellac flakes should I use?
2. What color dyes should I mix into the shellac?

Any tips and/or suggestions are much appreciated.

Thank you.

Here are some examples of the orange look I'd like to replicate. They come from the Tantal's website.







[/quote]

One recipe I saw was 4 parts of iodine to 10 parts amber shellac.

I'm starting to suspect the Russians really used a lacquer. It's faster drying, doesn't turn white if it gets wet like shellac does, and doesn't get soft from the heat of firing.

If I ever do another AK stock, I'm going to buy a can or semi-gloss brushing lacquer and figure out a compatible dye to mix with it.

Thanks. A couple of different guys recommend about 4 coats of iodine rubbed into the wood and then either tung oil or shellac as a top coat. I'm gonna try it this weekend and then post pics.

Thanks!



Here's another variant of the Iodine Orange.

While I'm waiting on the Thai Seedlac, I decided come mix Transtint "Reddish Brown" into Garnet shellac and this is what I got. The photo quality (glare) is bad.

I'd say that's as close a match as you're going to get.

Pictures of the finished stock when it's done please.

Thanks for the input. I'll be sure to post pics once it's done.

Ok, here's a set of AK-74 handguards that I just finished in my take on the Soviet Iodine look.

That looks sick Sinatra.

Thank you. I really like this look as well.

I still would like to try this look with some ruby shellac, but so far so good. I compared this finish with an original Soviet factory set and it my version was just a tad bit brighter. That's an easy fix though. Man, I love Soviet laminate and all the variations of color. I know that the originals were done by factory workers, but they are works of art!

I wanna see those handguards on a rifle!

I've sold them, but the buyer said he'll post some pics once they're installed.

DELETE

Here's a set I did for a member.

Somebody asked to see Sinatra's work on a rifle - keep in mind, my camera doesn't do it justice - the wood isn't as red as it appears below - it definitely has the orange iodine look in person.

This wood was finished by Sinatra in 'Soviet Iodine' (see above post). Rifle is an SGL 31-61:

Awesome color, a real attention getter. Sinatra please check your IM.

IM rec'd and returned. Thanks!

Here is my SLR95 with Ironwood furniture that Sinatra completed for me in the iodine finish - I am very happy with the color, awesome work at a very fair price.

I highly recommend!

Thank you sir!

^^
wow, that turned out amazing
might have to invest in one of those sets

Thanks. I really love finishing laminate furniture in those original Soviet colors.

Good! Because you're gonna have your hands full with my set.

Looking forward to a good challenge!