Denatured Alcohol (DNA) used to dissolve shellac is widely available in the US but not so in Canada because of federal laws. Ideally it is 99% ethanol and not methanol or isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) which can contain water. Water makes shellac turn white.
Does anyone know where I can purchase it in Ontario? I’ve tried several pharmacies with no success.
Replies
I use SDA-40B 200 proof.
Typically you find this used by perfumers because the t-Butyl Alcohol denaturant is safe and in such a small amount.
I live in the US, but I think you can find it here:
https://www.botanicplanet.ca/PERFUMERY-ALCOHOL-200-PROOF
https://www.saffireblue.ca/shop/perfumery-alcohol/
Some use 190 proof Everclear or similar grain alcohol.
I second the Everclear/grain alcohol.
That's an exceptionally pricey solution in canada
Surely you have a neighbor with a still . . .
Can you get 99% isopropyl? Can you order shellac reducer from Mohawk?
California people can help you with this. The people at shellac.net are very helpful & might be worthwhile checking with them. I ordered the Mohawk product from them (I live in a reg free state).
Everclear and alternatives can get expensive.
Thanks very much, I’ll check out these suggestions.
Im in Ontario, and picked up a gallon from a chemical supply store in Ottawa. Last year there was a real run on it as people were making their own sanitizer. Lee Valley was out, may still be, but the big chemical specific places have it.
This is the one in Ottawa. http://www.bscchem.com/
Its funny in canada that DNA is such a harshly controlled product yet we can buy absolutely poisonous methyl hydrate from any hardware store. Best I've been able to find in alberta is
e-NRG alcohol stove fuel at Canadian tire. 92% ethanol, 8% isopropyl.
Just about any very high concentration of alcohol will likely work as a solvent for shellac. Denatured alcohol contains a modest amount of one or more chemicals--usually a toxic and/or foul-tasting alcohol or closely related compound--in order to make it unfit for consumption, as the primary ingredient (usually 90% or greater) is simply ethanol, the alcohol familiar to most of us as the intoxicant in beer, wine, whisky, etc.
The chemical additives do little or nothing to alter the solvent characteristics of the alcohol, thus the effectiveness of Everclear or other high-alcohol-content products. Alcohol stove fuels should, in general, work just fine.
All of the denatured alcohol I've seen in hardware and paint stores around here is mostly methanol. It's much more dangerous to health, and I prefer to avoid it when I can.
I’m not sure if there’s much regulation of the contents. Methanol is commonly added as the adulterant, so to speak, usually at 10% or less, however. That said, methanol is not to be trifled with, I agree.
The real point I was aiming for is that one needn’t use denatured alcohol—straight-up ethanol, ethanol + isopropanol, etc., will work.
I also get the biofuel stuff from Canadian Tire for camp stoves. Comes in a one gallon container and is pretty cheap.
Thanks to all again. I see Lee Valley has 946 ml (32 oz) Shellac / Lacquer Thinner back in stock, a mix of ethanol and isobutyl.
I don't get the water causing white shellac finish outside of leaving a cold drink on the surface. I have used denatured alcohol out of the can to thin amber shellac without issues. I know that it is pretty hard to get ethanol at high concentrations by distillation, don't know about other methods. When I look at MSDS data sheets, I do not see H2O in the composition section I don't know know the total composition of any specific brand, including inert ingredients. Try a sample, see how it works.
I agree that Everclear is probably a good solution but the US taxes for a non-denatured product make drinkable alcohol out of my price range.
Everclear at 190 proof id about$.62 per oz. 40B is about $.36
I lived in Ontario (CA Canada, not CA California) and I expect their taxes are higher.
I live in CA and cant get the "good stuff" so I stick with the perfumers stuff.
In the old days the musical instrument makers used eau de vie at high proof.
One for the finish, one for the finisher... seems rather civilized actually...
If you can get Klean Strip Green denatured alcohol it has relatively low amounts of methanol. http://www.kleanstrip.com/uploads/documents/QKGA75003_SDS-1623.pdf
Available at the lcbo:
https://www.lcbo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lcbo/spirits-15/global-alcool-94-1140ml-17050#.YGRo96_Yo2w
Funny. A friend just yesterday asked me if denatured alcohol and mineral spirits were the same. Umm, no. He said he had been to all the big box stores hereabouts, and none had any DNA. When he asked, they tried to sell him mineral spirits, saying they were the same.
Maybe there is some sort of shortage.
I went on a search for DNA here in SoCal a while ago. I went to the local 'Home Center' and asked about thinning Shellac. They had no idea what I was asking for and tried to sell me 'paint thinner'.
This was very early in the whole Covid thing, and as I turned to leave, I saw an end cap pile high with 99% isopropyl alcohol. I took a chance. It works very nicely, but dries stupid fast! If you're in a hurry and can find 99% Iso, man, it's the trick!
But, I'm always on the lookout for reasonably priced DNA. The Kleen Strip stuff through Amazon is expensive. I just recently discovered a new paint store not so far from my shop that stocks a huge pile of Mohawk stuff (which I love) and I did see a container of the Shellac Reducer. I didn't check prices, but at least now I know where to buy it.
I've learned to NEVER trust the people in the big boxes on questions like that (there are a few exceptions). Yesterday that person was selling fertilizer and the day before plumbing parts. Last week, he was flipping hamburgers.
Like the fellow who tried to explain to me that a #6 x 32 screw was actually 6/32" and therefore 3/16" - said it was similar to the metric system.
Wow.
John_C2, the term methylated spirits is used in Canada and other parts of the world for DNA. Perhaps that is what was confused. Big Box staff aren't well-trained.
Its still on the wood finishing shelf here, but labeled as Fuel or Stove Fuel, with dna in small print.
How about this one ? https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/e-nrg-bioethanol-fireplace-fuel-3-785-l-0644001p.0644001.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwu5CDBhB9EiwA0w6sLW7Dg4GtUGs3jGl2OzsUsSWSRi14le-3EaUhmo1l8OahQYLMFJ75CBoCD3IQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=190
MSDS says :Ethyl Alcohol (CAS #64-17-5) 80 - 100% Concentration
Isopropyl Alcohol (CAS #67-63-0) 1 - 20% Concentration
Should be fine.
I use their product in a alcohol burner.
It is 92% ethanol and 8% isopropyl.
it ain't the same as a safe blend like 40B.
If you guys wanna sniff the other stuff, that is your choice...
Thanks to all again!
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