How to Shellac Cork Grips

Shellac is an all-natural surface sealer and protector that will shine and waterproof the cork grips on a bicycle. Shellac is a multipurpose product made from resin excreted by the Asian lac beetle and has been used as a wood finish for hundreds of years. More recently, shellac has been used as a coating on food and pills, as the base material for making records, and as an excellent sealer to protect the cork grips or tape on your bicycle.

Things You'll Need

  • Cork grips or handlebar tape
  • 1/2 pint shellac
  • Denatured alcohol
  • Small brush
  • Rag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide whether you will be using cork grips or cork handlebar-bar tape on your bicycle. Make this decision based on your handlebar style and bicycle type. Road bikes typically have drop-handlebars and will require tape, while mountain bikes use grips that you slide onto the bars.

    • 2

      Wrap the cork tape around your handlebars, starting from the part closest to the headset. If you are using grips, you can shellac them either on or off the bicycle.

    • 3

      Open and stir your can of shellac. Use a clean stirring stick and make sure to scrape the bottom of the can as you stir. Stir slowly using a figure-8 motion until the shellac has a uniform texture.

    • 4

      Dip your brush into the shellac, allowing only the bottom third of the brush to get wet. Shellac is more difficult to control if the entire brush is soaked. Quickly and carefully apply a thin layer of shellac to the tape or grips. Completely cover the surface area but don't overdo it. Too much shellac will pool and drip.

    • 5

      Keep a small jar of denatured alcohol and a rag on hand. Wet the rag with the alcohol and use it to wipe up any shellac that drips or gets onto your bicycle.

    • 6

      Allow the shellac to dry until it is no longer tacky. One advantage of shellac over other finishes is its quick drying time. You may only need to wait 30 minutes for it to harden, and the shellac can dry even faster if you set up a fan to blow on it. Keep your brush wrapped tightly in a plastic bag while your first coat dries.

    • 7

      Add one more coat of shellac and allow it to cure for at least two hours. Clean your brush and any mess with denatured alcohol. Your grips will be shiny, easy to clean and better protected from nicks and the elements.