Welcome Romeoz, enjoy the forum 

Eventually I'll do some experimenting with this and see where it leads. Of course, I would assume that the traditional method using an alcohol lamp is the quickest and most convenient method. Anyway, what I'll will do first (for my own peace of mind) will be to make sure shellac hardens (that the IPA evaporates) after having been softened by IPA.

I have tried this task many times and failed. It is however a skill worth learning because hairsprings are difficult to source and I have many but without a collet. Thanks for sharing 

Hello Romeoz and welcome to the forum, ask the questions and enjoy.

Elma red is a very good cleaner and makes parts shine, but if there is any hint of tarnish of the nickel plated main plate or bridges it can clean the tarnished sections right down to the bronze layer, in as little as 5 min in Ultrasound... the untarnished parts will really sparkle though.