Here in CA go to a "grow" store. I've gotten 99% isopropol and ethyl alcohol there.
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| Author: | Dave Rickard [ Thu May 22, 2025 5:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Alcohol for shellack |
Ready to resupply my shop alcohol stash, I've been using everclear. I'm seeing "green" denatured alcohol and its a lot cheaper than everclear. Is the "green" stuff really safer? Does it work as well as everclear? |
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| Author: | Jim Watts [ Thu May 22, 2025 5:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
Kleen Strip Green, is that what we're talking about? I have used this and liked it better than the other denatured alcohols I've tried. However, I've never used everclear so I can't compare. Sadly it's not available in my area any longer. |
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| Author: | doncaparker [ Thu May 22, 2025 6:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
I'm not sure I would think about the differences in terms of what is safer. I focus on what is more pleasant to be around. My big thing is that, when I work with denatured alcohol, the fumes give me a headache, but when I use Everclear, I don't get any headaches. The hardware store denatured alcohol gives me worse headaches faster than a better grade of denatured alcohol, but even the best grades are not as pleasant to be around as the Everclear. In terms of better grades, I think Mohawk Shellac Reducer (which is the same as Behlen's Behkol) is good. But I still prefer Everclear. I have not used the Kleen Strip Green. Maybe it is less headache-inducing than other formulations, but I can't say. I've turned into an alcohol snob, for sure. The sweet smell of shellac dissolved in Everclear? Man, that's a beautiful smell. |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Thu May 22, 2025 6:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
Dave, my brother - stick with the Everclear. Even my sainted mother used it in her printing shop, but the Sunday School teacher in her asked the pressman - Big Ronnie - to buy it for her at the liquor store. It's all natural, and it works every time! |
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| Author: | CarlD [ Thu May 22, 2025 8:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
Here in CA go to a "grow" store. I've gotten 99% isopropol and ethyl alcohol there.
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| Author: | Cal Maier [ Thu May 22, 2025 9:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
I’ve used isopropyl, ethanol, Kleen strip, and nothing beats everclear for me. |
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| Author: | Hesh [ Fri May 23, 2025 4:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
+1 for Everclear especially if you are concerned about the other chemicals that you don't want to be around. I've never used anything but Everclear. |
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| Author: | TRein [ Fri May 23, 2025 8:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
The Kleen Strip alcohol is still pretty noxious. I believe they use methanol for the denaturant. It's a moot point for me since it is unavailable locally. Dave, not sure if Kansas is a high-test Everclear state. It is available in Michigan but not 190 proof. Too much liability for frat boy parties, I guess. You need to head to the Red States to find 190 proof. Or, you can mail order it from Lab Alley or other culinary websites. If you are French polishing the amount of alcohol use is small. Paying for pure ethanol is totally worth it for me. Not just for health benefits but also knowing that there are no spurious denaturants present that could affect the final film. |
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| Author: | doncaparker [ Fri May 23, 2025 10:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
I can't tell you how this works in other states, but here in West Virginia, one cannot buy 190 proof Everclear at a liquor store. But, if you have a reason for using grain alcohol in some sort of legitimate process (legitimate as in: Not trying to get around alcoholic beverage taxes), you can apply for a license from the WV Alcohol Beverage Control Administration. I have a license that I renew every year. So, if some ABCA *&%$#@ revenuer (that's a hillbilly joke) comes to my house and spots all the alcohol, I'm bona fide. The license allows me to buy it from places in WV that can sell it to me, but because of our proximity to Kentucky, where it is legal to sell 190 Everclear (and other brands) in liquor stores, I just drive over there to pick it up. I mention all of this in case some of you who live very far from an Everclear friendly state can maybe look into getting a license. It really is the best stuff to use for this purpose. |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Fri May 23, 2025 12:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
While not a direct answer to your question, I’m another vote for 190 Everclear. Also 99.9 isopropyl has worked well for me. I’ve never used denatured alcohol for shellac, as by nature denatured alcohol of any kind is some sort of poison. I’ve heard you can drink Everclear but I’ve never tried, I just don’t think it tastes that great. I get it from Alberta because my kind loving overlords here in BC protect me from it. |
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| Author: | Michaeldc [ Fri May 23, 2025 2:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
Here in Washington State we can buy Everclear at our local grocery store. We do have a hefty tax on alcohol here - here a half gallon of Makers Mark, for example is maybe $80US after tax - in California the same jug would be under $35US. +1 for Everclear |
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| Author: | Kbore [ Fri May 23, 2025 6:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
You didn't ask but https://culinarysolvent.com/ This is 100% ethanol. It's not cheap but it's not that expensive. and you know what is in the jug... |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Fri May 23, 2025 8:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
That's it. Sell everclear as culinary solvent. Such a boring name, no one would be the wiser. |
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| Author: | CarlD [ Fri May 23, 2025 8:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
Michael, the Everclear here in CA is only 120 proof but probably is $35. The 200 proof ethyl alcohol I got at the hydroponic garden store was about $50. |
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| Author: | Tim McKnight [ Fri May 23, 2025 9:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
DA has worked for me when Everclear ran out. |
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| Author: | Hesh [ Sat May 24, 2025 9:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
Part of my travels to see my buddy Joe White was a trip to an Indiana liquor store and a gallon of Everclear. Then we hit the Chinese place for lunch.  Joe isn't it about time we did some Chinese?
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| Author: | Dave Rickard [ Sat May 24, 2025 10:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
Thanks for all the information. I've believe the Everclear available in Kansas is 151 proof and that is what I've been using. I've never been completely satisfied with the results, always figuring it had to do with my technic. I'm guessing that the 190 proof would help with my results. I'm checking with the state to see if I can get a permit to some how buy 190 proof. The culinary alcohol looks promising, I'll check into that also. While researching I came across 192 proof vodka https://my.equalityvodka.com/spirytus-vodka I didn't think we can get this in the states. It would be interesting to see if it would work for French polishing for our friends that can get it. |
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| Author: | Michaeldc [ Sat May 24, 2025 12:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Alcohol for shellack |
Our Everclear is of the 190 proof variety. Great for stripping enamel, cleaning engine parts etc…I like to use it for removing binding tape from a spruce top. |
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