What is used to clean shellac off brushes?

• A. Alcohol
• B. Water
• C. Acetone
• D. Paint Thinner

Answer: (A)

Shellac is an alcohol-soluble resin, so the best way to clean brushes that have been used with shellac is to use an alcohol-based solvent. Denatured alcohol or isopropyl alcohol dissolves the dried shellac on the bristles, letting it rinse away cleanly and leaving the brush usable again. Water won’t dissolve the shellac film and can cause it to swell or harden on the bristles, making cleaning ineffective. Acetone can dissolve some finishes but it’s harsher on brush bristles and glue, which can shorten brush life. Paint thinner isn’t effective at dissolving shellac and can leave residues. So, alcohol is the proper choice because it specifically dissolves shellac without harshly damaging the brush.