Replies

1. 
   Patrick_Gilbert | May 10, 2020 01:52pm | #1

   It has become more difficult - I’m in San Diego and feel your pain. I’ve found it easily at woodworking suppliers. My understanding is that it has been removed from all stores that cater to service industries like Home Depot, etc. Where in CA are you located?

2. 
   geedubbee | May 10, 2020 01:59pm | #2

   This is a recurring subject. I'm not sure how good the search engine is here but, there has been a lot of discussion. Unfortunately many of the options recommended are also a no-go in what used to be the great state of California.

   I assume all those people who made the silly rules had to move here from wherever they came from because back home, they would have shot them and rightly so ;-)

   When the announcement came out I ordered a few gallons online. The online world hadn't caught up yet so my items were promptly delivered. I tried for more a few weeks ago but, alas, "not available for shipment to California" has caught up with us.

   Being the son of a son of a son I am well aware of how narrow our long, crooked state is. More civilized lands are just across our border. We're all isolating anyway so, take a road trip to Oregon, Nevada or Arizona. That's what I do.

3. 
   Patrick_Gilbert | May 10, 2020 02:44pm | #3

   Or you could just come to San Diego where it’s easy to get at Woodworking suppliers. I just bought a gallon. Let me know where you’re located in CA and I can find a place you can get it.

4. 
   geedubbee | May 10, 2020 08:12pm | #4

   @ Patrick_Gilbert

   I come to San Diego often enough to make that work. Rockler and so forth are a no-go here. I would love the name of a woodworking store in S.D. that still sells it in gallons.

   Of course, even though its only about 100 miles to San Diego, I might be able to get to Arizona quicker ;-))

5. 
   kevina | May 10, 2020 09:07pm | #5

   I’m in the San Luis Obispo area - halfway between LA and San Francisco.

6. 
   mattk41 | May 14, 2020 11:54pm | #6

   Can you buy grain alcohol at your local liquor store...Everclear or such 190 proof? Works better at dissolving shellac flakes than home center DNA! And without added methanol it is way healthier exposure wise. It is more expensive (sort of like buying hide glue instead of yellow pva). When you consider the cost of EVERYTHING that goes into the craft...drop in the bucket (pun intended).

7. 
   fivebirdscustom | May 15, 2020 01:28am | #7

   Nope, can't buy grain alcohol here...

   I live between LA and Palm Springs. I bought some DNA on Amazon last year. Just looked and it seems to still be available.

8. FWW Editor
   ben_strano | May 15, 2020 08:54am | #8

   I was just told by a friend in San Diego that he can still get DNA at woodworking suppliers and paint stores. This was a week or so ago.

9. 
   ericoe | May 15, 2020 07:05pm | #9

   Hi, I live in SLO, railroad district, even nicer place to be now. I have purchased pure ethanol from calex999, 32 FLUID OUNCES PURE MEDICAL GRADE ALCOHOL 95% ABV. NON DENATURED, on Ebay. I have used shellac for a number of years. I switched from denatured to ethanol about 18 mos ago. I like the lack of poisons, but it just works better. Faster dissolve times, quicker drying, and it may go on a bit smoother. Unless you are doing large amounts of work, where cost is a problem I recommend it.

10. 
    kevina | May 23, 2020 12:43pm | #10

    Thank you everyone who replied to my inquiry. I was successful in getting some at a local marine supply store in Morro Bay.

11. 
    user-3344055 | May 23, 2020 05:05pm | #11

    Hi Kevin,

    I may be the odd person out here but I switched from DNA to Ever Clear grain alcohol. I've been very pleased with my shellac mixes and I really like the non-toxicity of the product. The down side is that a quart is not cheap and depending on where you live may even be more expensive. The up side is that if your project goes completely pear shaped you have some temporary relief at the ready.

12. 
    ericoe | May 23, 2020 08:10pm | #12

    User-3344055, I looked for Everclear 90 proof and seemed unavailable in California, which led me to the medicinal 95% ethanol. If you think of drinking 90 proof, much less 95% ethanol you better have a bunch of soda or fruit juice. A rugby teammate, in the 60's, was a Phd. student in chemistry, and provided 5 gallon drums of chemical grade ethanol. It sucked water out of the air when you opened it. Our standard party beverage was "funny pop", the ethanol mixed with whatever. We tried to warn visitors, but we still had many unplanned sleepovers.

13. 
    johncoffey | May 24, 2020 10:37am | #13

    Most dna now has a high percentage of methanol, near 50%. This is the poisonous alcohol. Klean Strip makes a “green” alcohol that is mostly ethanol and has only enough denaturant to make it poisonous to drink and not be taxed. This is what I am using for French polish and mixing my shellac.

14. 
    flyfisher111 | May 24, 2020 11:11pm | #14

    As a chemistry major back in the 60's, I had a bootleg key to the storage room where the 95% stuff was stored; it made me very popular. A pint in a half gallon of orange juice worked nicely, no hangover, which is caused by the impurities in booze. I agree that the purer the better for most purposes. My understanding of the DNA issue in CA is due to the methanol issue - nanny state's gotta protect against more and more perceived threats. Once they run out of real threats, tney begin to invent more. My industry is fighting CA over a trace chemical that is not toxic, not even an irritant, not an environmental issue. One consultant hates us and convinced them to set a level that could not even be measured. Idiots.

15. 
    fivebirdscustom | Jun 23, 2020 08:14pm | #15

    A quick update... Was at my local hardware store (The Do It Best - Beaumont Home Center) earlier today and asked the lady in the paint section what exactly California suggested we should use to dilute shellac.... As I stood there with a can of shellac in my hands.

    She began to take me down the solvent aisle and suggest things... Paint Thinner (for oil paints), Acetone, etc. I shot them all down.

    But, when I mentioned the idea that I would just have to purchase some medical grade alcohol, she piped up with "We have 99% Isopropyl. Will that work?"

    It was cheaper than buying ethyl alcohol online. I got a metal gallon can... And, it works great. I don't know that they've always carried it, it might be a Covid-19 thing. And, I may go back and buy a case. But, the important thing is, it is available in some places (still not at the big box stores).