How to Lacquer Handlebar Tape
Lacquering or shellacking your handlebar tape protects the tape from dirt and wear and evens out the surface of the tape, making the handlebars less abrasive on your palms. The coating of shellac seals the tape, preventing the absorption of rain. Shellac also prevents the tape from loosening up and unwrapping. This process works equally well on cork tape or on traditional cloth tape, although cork tape is slightly tougher than cloth and doesn't usually need as much protection.
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Instructions
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Remove the handlebars and stem as one piece from the bike by loosening the screws on top of the stem with the Allen key. Pull the stem off the fork. Don't worry if the brake and shifter cables keep the handle bars tethered to the bike--you just need enough room to take the handle bars off the bike so you don't accidentally shellack the bike frame.
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Rest the handlebars on a sheet of newspaper--you may have to put the bike on its side to do this. If you do spill shellac accidentally while you are coating your handlebars, you can wipe it off with a little denatured alcohol as long as you catch it quickly.
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3
Roll the rubber hoods around the break levers up so you can see all the handlebar tape. Paint a thin layer of shellac over the handlebar tape with a 1-inch paintbrush. Shellac is available in 1/2-pt. containers at most hardware stores, which is more than you will need to coat your handlebars. Coat the tape as evenly as possible so you don't get any streaks where coats overlap.
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Let the first coat of shellac dry for an hour before applying a second coat. It will be tacky to the touch at first, so do not to let anything touch it while it dries.
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Apply a second coat the same way once the first coat is smooth and dry. Let the handlebars dry completely overnight.
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Reattach the handlebars to the bicycle, making sure that they are positioned straight over the front wheel before you tighten the stem bolts all the way.
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Tips & Warnings
Apply clear shellac if you want the tape color to remain the same, or use amber if you want a slightly darker color.
If you want a darker color, apply more coats of amber shellac until you achieve the desired shade. Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.
Shellac may be harmful to your health if it is inhaled in large quantities, so coat your handlebars in a well-ventilated place.
