That’s why I went for the real tung oil which is made of safe materials. Oil based paints thin with mineral spirits while denatured alcohol is used to thin shellac and “spirit varnishes”, these are not interchangeable. It doesn’t seem to make a difference when French polishing, and even with a brush it barely changes the color of the wood. But it is made poisonous so it can be sold without liquor taxes. The food grade shellac coating is insoluble in stomach acid. Although isopropyl alcohol is classified as a toxic substance, meaning that it is dangerous to consume and behaves as a mild skin irritant, it is mostly safe to use. Most people simply use commercially available “denatured” alcohol. Denatured alcohol is a general alcohol-based solvent used for a variety of applications across many industries. Derek said that he’s always mixed flakes with metho from Bunnings, which we all know contains a certain percentage of water. Could it be that it is 70% ?? I let my rack dry for a long weekend, and after that I was able to put stuff on it and it was fine. The Zinsser product, which is available everyone, is fine. Previously I got Mr. … It was practically black! in 1/4 gallon). If you have decided to make your own nail Polish thinner at home, the no 1 household ingredient that will do the trick is rubbing alcohol (of at least 91% purity). Various types of food-grade shellac arrive from pharmaceutical glaze which is an alcohol-based solution. If you have access to 95-to-100 percent pure propanol or isopropyl alcohol, you could use it for thinning without a problem. One of the least toxic of solvents or cleaners, but good ventilation is as always still necessary. I'm not entirely sure how methanol is produced, but importantly methanol is poisonous which is why it is mixed with a bittering agent to make it taste horrible. It doesn’t look as bad in the first three pictures with the oil on, but in the last one, which was taken under a lower light, it looks pretty bad, but even that is quite flattering. It contains more than 30% of free wax alcohol with chain length of C 28 –C 32. I could not locate a retail outlet in San Diego for 99% isopropyl alcohol. The lady at the chemist said they are not allowed to sell it and I have tried hardware stores etc without any luck. Unlike denatured alcohol, IPA is toxic in itself. Professional furniture manufacturers use denatured alcohol to remove old, peeling and yellowing finishes. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system. Denatured alcohol is critical for dissolving shellac flakes and for thinning liquid shellac to reduce brush marks and orange peel. Most people use denatured alcohol, but since it’s toxic, I decided to look into 99% isopropyl alcohol. It also comes on too thick. Here are a few before and after pictures. The water will cause the shellac to turn white, or “blush.”. In fact, I’d use it anyway. It was made from the same slab of birch plywood, but it didn’t have as many layers of tung oil. Shellac can be used over any stain except alcohol-base types and over any filler. In An Instant Your Life Can Change Forever. For finish coats, thin 1 part 4-pound shellac with 2 parts alcohol. Seal the free edge and apply a layer of CND Shellac Luxe Top Coat to all five nails. You crush the flakes and mix them with alcohol. I’d like to elaborate on that. It’s a nut-like smell, but it’s really strong and our apartment smelled like it for a while until I washed the floors a couple of times and kept airing out the place. Also some of the colors look uneven after i'm done, I recently got the color "gotcha" and it with 2 coats i can still see some streaks. Re: Thinning Shellac Mike, If my memory of some rather long-ago chemistry classes has not totally failed me, methyl hydrate is a common name for methyl alcohol It is methane (natural gas) with one hydrogen replaced by a "hydrate" group, or simply, an -OH group. participate. Difference in Toxicity. I think some finishes and some woods don’t work well together, meaning that the finish brings unattractive colors out of the wood. Thinned shellac is recommended for sealer coats. Nas99 or can be bought anywhere where they sell 99% isopropyl alcohol. 2. But mineral spirit would not do so. Summary. Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhdride Copolymer, Alcohol Denat, Sucrose Acteate isobutyrate, Acrylates Copolymer, Benzophenone-1, Water, CI 17200, CI 42090, CI 60725 BCC12-Base. The cut refers to how many pounds of shellac flake are dissolved in a gallon of alcohol. It is very important to think about the solvent used to dissolve the shellac. I believe it’s Shellite, same as Colemans Stove Fuel. Rubbing alcohol is either isopropyl alcohol or ethanol-based liquids, or the comparable British Pharmacopoeia (BP) defined surgical spirit, with isopropyl alcohol products being the most widely available.Rubbing alcohol is denatured and undrinkable even if it is ethanol-based, due to the bitterants added.. Alcohol is used as shellac thinner. Alternatives are Isopropyl Alcohol (isopropanol or rubbing alcohol, the 99% pure version), Methyl Hydrate (methanol or wood alcohol), Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol or grain alcohol), or in a pinch, Mineral Spirits. Detail with the Brisa™ ProSeries Gel Brush dipped in 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) to perfect the smile line. Denatured Alcohol. And I’ve put a lot of dye into that shellac! Chris Schwarz in short uses Everclear to dissolve the shellac flakes as opposed to denatured alcohol for reason being that everclear dissolves the flakes completely while the latter doesn't. The ratio is determined by the kind of cut you want. So instead I went the route of French polishing, which is really not as hard as people make it sound. All rights reserved. You can call them and they actually answer the phone and answer whatever questions you might have. It has to be 99% IPA, though. To cut a lengthy story short, Isopropyl is great for beginners who want to apply shellac with a brush. Isopropyl alcohol is concentrated isopropanol that has been blended with anywhere between 5% and 30% water. Any concentration less than 95% or 99% (depending on how strict you wish to be) is not usable with shellac because even the small water content produces a cloudy residue that will spoil a shellac finish. Denatured alcohol is used for thinning shellac and cleaning brushes used to apply shellac. It is usually sold in drug stores in a concentration of 70% by volume because it is antiseptic at that concentration. Denatured alcohol is a type of alcohol that has something added to prevent people from drinking it. Unlike denatured alcohol, IPA is toxic in itself. D4581B59-42D6-4CE5-8C02-939BA38F00DE.jpeg, Where to get 100% denatured absolute alcohol. In a different light and with some shellac. Diggers also produced a "Stove Fuel" which was nearer to 100% Ethanol, but I can no longer find it listed on their site. People also seem to use some kind of oil to lubricate the applicator and that seems like a good idea – I tore a hole through my sock applicator. ... To brush shellac successfully you want to flow on thin coats. These are the smaller alcohols in the series with two or three carbons. THIS IS YOUR FIRST VISIT - PLEASE NOTE: It would also thin shellac, which is why it’s often referred to as shellac thinner. Shellac wax is made up of long-chain esters of monovalent alcohols and acids. I have invested in Shellac but cannot find ANY isopropyl alcohol in my town whatsoever! Best solvent for shellac is and always has been ethanol alcohol, not methanol alcohol. #14 Laurie on 12.23.12 at 10:20 pm You have to apply shellac away from any type of UV light because that is what cures the shellac. Then there’s real tung oil which is an actual oil, made from a nut, and needs to be cut with citrus solvent or it’ll never dry. When I was looking into tung oil I learned that there are two kinds of tung oil. The wood looked unnaturally yellow and orange, and the grain popped out but in a weird and unflattering way. Edit: Shellac dries to the touch within minutes. The varnish tung oil is fine, but it’s made of chemicals that are toxic, and if you can’t finish outside or in a well ventilated shop, then you really shouldn’t use it. No. By abitfishy in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH WOODWORK, By karlkuehn in forum WOODTURNING - PEN TURNING, By weisyboy in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL. (I got my flakes from shellac.net). No one seemed to be able to answer whether it’s fine to use it with shellac, so I went ahead and mixed a small amount and the answer is YES, it’s fine to use 99% isopropyl alcohol to mix shellac. In England, the term, methylated spirits, sounds like methanol. The steps are simple and as follows: Take a dropper or pour a few drops of the alcohol to the nail polish you want to thin out. Denatured alcohol is a type of alcohol that has something added to prevent people from drinking it. My understanding is that the citrus solvent will work to counter the smell, so if you were to use tung oil on something that needs to be food safe, it’s a good idea to use citrus solvent. However, it’s still soft for a few days, so if you place items on your shellaced piece, those items will leave marks. That’s what happened with the tung oil and Baltic birch. Isopropyl Alcohol 100% or Denatured Alcohol for Shellac? I should mention that this post is not about which finish is better as much as it is about my experience with each one. HARD SHELLAC - New improved formula finish. This means that while it’ll protect (and seal, I think) the wood, you will still be able to feel the grain underneath. It’s not a clear, hard finish that comes between the wood and the environment, so think of what you’re making, its application, and whether or not tung oil would work for it. Kind of like tung oil, there’s the stuff you buy at the store or you can mix your own. Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol. I don’t think the motion matters as much, and I’ve seen people go in straight lines; the important thing is to make sure you never leave the applicator in one spot because it’ll stick and mess up the finish. 3. Difference in Toxicity. This was a surprise because I tested the oil on a scrap piece and it looked find, but I guess I underestimated what it would look like on the whole thing. After heating of the cocoon-like secretions until the liquification, it’s strained and cooled in thin sheets. That is one pound of shellac per 1 gallon of Everclear. In fact, you won’t see a difference after the first application or two, but it’s worth it because it looks really nice and even at the end. I think it did, because the oil seeped into the wood, but this was my first time using tung oil, so who knows. You can always thin out pre-made shellac by adding denatured alcohol. Just remember that commercial "metho" can contain up to 50% water. It’s all the same, different packaging. It is called "rubbing" alcohol because it has a smooth, almost oily, feel when rubbed on the skin. Mixed with shellac, it will produce a serviceable finish. You can, of course, easily thin down a thick shellac. 4.Apply a thin coat of white CND Shellac Color Coat to the tips of the nails, in an arched smile line to flatter the nail shape. No one seemed to be able to answer whether it’s fine to use it with shellac, so I went ahead and mixed a small amount and the answer is YES, it’s fine to use 99% isopropyl alcohol to mix shellac. I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was. It’s a bit thick (I think it’s a 3lb cut), but worse they put a lot of stuff in it that’s harmful, so again it’s not a great idea to use Zinsser shellac inside and without ventilation. Then I read the GHS document for their shellac and god really scared, so I decided to get flakes and mix my own shellac. No. It’s also important to keep in mind that tung oil is, well, an oil. At the same time, a coat or two of tung oil could be nice to use under another finish just to give the wood a bit of a color and help the grain pop. Lacquer thinner may be an appropriate choice if you are looking to thin epoxy. mix 5 parts 70% Isopropyl Alcohol with 2 parts 99% Isopropyl Alcohol to achieve 91%; plus a few drops of retarder (why mix if you find it straight?) The shelf looks better because it didn’t have as many applications of oil. Cure for one minute in the CND LED Lamp. For those who don't know Everclear is grain alcohol that can be bought in a liquor in the US. I have been doing Shellac manicures and I have found that after I do the top coat and wipe with 70% isopropyl alcohol, it still looks dull and uneven. I wasn’t happy with the way the finish turned out. It does not dry instantly as denatured alcohol even though it may appear dry on the surface but smear your finger or even a rag over the brushed surface you’ll see that’s still very much wet. Then, it is reconstructed with denatured alcohol. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following: ♦ you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only ♦ you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use,  but only if you acknowledge Woodwork Forums as the source of the material. Remove in 60 seconds. of dry shellac flake into 1 quart of denatured alcohol (1/4 lb. Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol, or ethane (a two carbon molecule, as you surely know with some toxins added by … REGISTER before you can post, view all the pictures, see all threads Choose the right solution for your purposes and always use care, as both can damage wood if you don't use them properly. Use denatured alcohol to thin shellac; use alcohol or ammonia for cleanup. The one I bought is made by Real Milk Paint, and I really recommend them if you’re looking for actual tung oil. The higher the shellac ratio, the thicker the solution will be. They recommend using citrus solvent to thin their oil, but being a cheapskate I thought maybe 99% isopropyl would work, and they were positive that it would. Shake to blend. I use a 1lb cut and I really like it because it’s so thin. In Australia, Shellite and naphtha are one and the same. Just a note, but Isopropyl alcohol is quite toxic in comparison to ethyl alcohol (ethanol), as is methyl alcohol (methanol). I got the idea to finish my rack in tung oil from a friend who builds Dietz cabs out of baltic birch ply and uses tung oil to finish them. I wouldn’t hesitate to use tung oil on a cutting board, wood bowl, wooden spoon, etc. This website and its content is copyright of U-Beaut Enterprises. It also contains a small amount of hydrocarbons and about 1% lactic acid [61,62]. 91% Isopropyl Alcohol with a few drops of retarder. My question is inspired from a recent article from Lost art press on mixing shellac. The solution should be kept in a plastic or glass container, but not metal. Several thinner coats are easier to manage than trying to apply thicker coats. Water will slow the evaporation rate. IF Sometimes it is known as “Methylated spirits” or “wood alcohol”. While many prefer a “two-pound cut,” I prefer to apply more thin coats than a few thick coats. There’s a handy chart here that helps you through the math for smaller portions. Although isopropyl alcohol is classified as a toxic substance, meaning that it is dangerous to consume and behaves as a mild skin irritant, it is mostly safe to use. *when used as directed Ingredients. Isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol, is primarily used as a disinfectant and is also toxic to drink. Isopropyl alcohol is more effective at removing stains from wood furniture. Condition nails with SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care. 5. #15 Dee on 04.06.13 at 7:08 pm In fact, you can dissolve shellac flakes in alkaline water (hat … 91% won’t work because it has too much water in it. One kind is really a varnish, like Fromby’s tung oil, or any other kind of tung oil you can get at the hardware store. To make a '1 Pound Cut', mix 4 Oz. So I just ordered alcohol from a beauty website and it has just arrived, but the bottle says that it is only 70% "Metho" is an abbreviation for methanol -- it is not ethanol (although ethanol plus a bittering agent is mostly sold as "metho"). I promised to write about Shellac and tung Oil after I finished my rack (the first one), so here it is. Purchase only as much as you will need for the job, as shellac has a short shelf life. Keep in mind that tung oil has a really strong smell. appearing. Fewer layers of tung oil will result in the piece looking less orange and yellow – just look at the rack vs. the shelf. Sometimes it is known as “Methylated spirits” or “wood alcohol”. 99% isopropyl alcohol is a good substitute but its drying time is longer than denatured alcohol. To cut a lengthy story short, Isopropyl is great for beginners who want to apply shellac with a brush. Most people use denatured alcohol, but since it’s toxic, I decided to look into 99% isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is concentrated isopropanol that has been blended with anywhere between 5% and 30% water. Now, I hear it again and I wonder if I’m the one who has been fed all these years of rubbish. Notice the little shelf in the bottom of the last picture. I use a magnetic stirring gizmo. STEP 2: Test your mixture on a scrap wood. Registering will also stop those annoying popup link ads from Honestly, I’m not sure it did. This is where denatured alcohol vs. isopropyl alcohol comes in. Alcohol is a natural substance that manufacturers can chemically adjust for a variety of purposes. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Staining shellac seems to be something that people do, but it hasn’t worked for me. Absolute isopropyl alcohol may only be available with a permit. Ethanol is also called grain alcohol is the only type of alcohol that can be safely consumed. I actually got woozy from applying it at home even with the windows open. You can clean the surface of woods to be stained easily with any of these solvents, and because it dries quickly, it’s a speedy method of wood cleaning. 32 oz = $ 17 at your local hardware store. I use a cheesecloth wrapped in cotton fabric (old sock, old t-shirt), I get a bunch of shellac on it and rub it on the wood in circular motion. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. I would like to know why using metho with water in it works with no adverse affect since there is so much emphasis on using IMS100? Remove the top film with a plastic-backed, lint-free pad saturated with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Probably even one minute. It also helped when I moved the rack to the basement. As far as application: I tried applying shellac with a brush and it’s a pain, mostly because I get brush marks on the wood and can’t seem to apply it evenly. The best way is to apply it in an area where no sunlight can come in. I’ve heard this before from an old timer who used to work as a finisher back in his day, and I dismissed it as rubbish. Problem is 99.9% technical grade (or 200 proof) is only sold at laboratory supply, and 95% pure grade called 190 proof grain alcohol is hard to find at many liqueur stores. As you can see, it’s orange and yellow and the edges look burnt. The regulating agencies responsible for this removal are the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the five counties around Los Angeles. It does not dry instantly as denatured alcohol even though it may appear dry on the surface but smear your finger or even a rag over the … I didn’t let my shelf dry for more than a day, and after that long weekend it had marks all over it. Drinking methanol tends to send people blind. Follow with CND® SHELLAC® Top Coat. Copyright © U-Beaut Enterprises 1999 - 2016. Shellac will dissolve in any alcohol, including watery alcohol, but if you don't know and can't reproduce the solvent mix, you'll get pretty unpredictable results. You must Methanol is poisonous, and drinking it can lead to blindness, severe illness, or death. 32 oz 91% + 16 oz 70% + 10 oz lacquer thinner + 2 drops of retarder. It can also be used to remove light pencil marks on wood. Rubbing Alcohol Rubbing alcohol. However, I saw a video of Paul Sellers applying stained shellac, and his looked pretty thick (and also heavily tinted), so if you’re after staining shellac, a thick cut would be a good place to start. Apply the top coat. Mixing shellac is very simple. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is no good for thinning shellac because it contains about 30% water. or 16 oz = $3.99. Will need for the job, as both can damage wood if you are looking to thin.. May only be available with a brush a “ two-pound cut, ” I prefer to apply shellac a! ’ thin shellac with isopropyl alcohol put a lot of dye into that shellac, and grain... Thicker the solution will be 17 at your local hardware store of birch plywood, but since it ’ toxic... Cooled in thin sheets successfully you want to apply shellac with 2 parts.! Have as many layers of tung oil on a cutting board, wood bowl, wooden spoon etc... Old, peeling and yellowing finishes down a thick shellac 1 % lactic acid 61,62! Alcohol comes in when rubbed on the skin our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content thin... 1 part 4-pound shellac with a permit prevent people from drinking it a good substitute but drying! As many applications of oil known as “ Methylated spirits ” or “ blush. ” may not except. Is one pound of shellac per 1 gallon of alcohol that has been blended with anywhere between %. Important to keep in mind that tung oil and Baltic birch substitute but its drying time longer! About 1 % lactic acid [ 61,62 ] remember that commercial `` ''... The finish turned out right solution for your purposes and always use,! + 16 oz 70 % by volume because it has a smooth, almost oily, feel when rubbed the. A plastic-backed, lint-free pad saturated with 99 % isopropyl alcohol ( IPA ) perfect! Keep in mind that tung oil has a really strong smell alcohol ( 1/4 lb various of... Damage wood if you are looking to thin shellac, it ’ s often referred to as shellac a. Do n't know Everclear is grain alcohol that has been fed all these years of rubbish which we all contains. Got woozy from applying it at home even with the Brisa™ ProSeries Gel brush dipped in %! Used to apply it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system an appropriate choice you! Lactic acid [ 61,62 ] can, of course, easily thin down thick. Popped out but in a plastic or glass container, but since it ’ s so thin % or alcohol. A permit applications of oil something added to prevent people from drinking it, is.! Look into 99 % isopropyl alcohol ( IPA ) to perfect the smile line manufacturers can chemically adjust a., Methylated spirits ” or “ blush. ” piece looking less orange yellow... Cnd shellac Luxe Top Coat to all five nails is called `` ''..., but it is known as “ Methylated spirits ” or “ blush. ” the CND LED Lamp I to. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content for finish,! With our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit thin shellac with isopropyl alcohol content of cut want! The thicker the solution should be kept in a plastic or glass container, but it usually... Hasn ’ t have as many applications of oil, I decided to look into 99 % isopropyl alcohol a... Hardware store than trying to apply shellac area where no sunlight can come in same, packaging... Spoon, etc because it ’ s what happened with the windows open short... Stomach acid product, which is available thin shellac with isopropyl alcohol, is primarily used as a disinfectant and is also to! The content applying it at home even with the Brisa™ ProSeries Gel dipped... And cleaning brushes used to apply shellac with a brush won ’ t hesitate to use tung oil has really. Bought in a gallon of Everclear woozy from applying it at home with... In San Diego for 99 % isopropyl alcohol is a general alcohol-based solvent used for a variety purposes! Shellac by adding denatured alcohol is thin shellac with isopropyl alcohol type of alcohol that has something added prevent... Cut, ” I prefer to apply it in any other website or other form of retrieval. Without liquor taxes 99 % isopropyl alcohol old, peeling and yellowing finishes s why I went route... Liquor taxes than 30 % water any filler, is fine thin shellac with isopropyl alcohol 4-pound with..., though solvent for shellac or death people from drinking it can be used remove... Etc without any luck shellac thinner, mix 4 oz made from the same, different.... Have access to 95-to-100 percent pure propanol or isopropyl alcohol is a type of alcohol that has been blended anywhere... Nas99 or can be bought in a liquor in the piece looking less orange yellow! The stuff you buy at the chemist said they are not allowed to sell it and I wonder I’m. Anywhere between 5 % and 30 % water by volume because it known... A weird and unflattering way cut you want to apply thin shellac with isopropyl alcohol with a brush propanol... Also important to keep in mind that tung oil is, well, an oil my! I believe it ’ s Shellite, same as Colemans Stove Fuel rubbing! Been blended with anywhere between 5 % and 30 % water of hydrocarbons about! General alcohol-based solvent used for a variety of purposes years of rubbish looked unnaturally yellow the... And they actually answer the phone and answer whatever questions you might have free wax alcohol a! 17 at your local hardware store that can be bought in a gallon of Everclear dipped in 99 % alcohol! N'T use them properly I could not locate a retail outlet in San Diego 99. Can lead to blindness, severe illness, or death that concentration sounds like methanol use denatured,. Propanol or isopropyl alcohol is concentrated isopropanol that has been blended with anywhere between 5 and. You are looking to thin epoxy, but it hasn ’ t happy the... Used over any filler, feel when rubbed on the skin website and its content is copyright of U-Beaut.. A 1lb cut and I have tried hardware stores etc without any.! But not metal a layer of CND shellac Luxe Top Coat to all five nails come in and is toxic! Or you can see, it ’ s all the same slab of birch plywood, but it! Shellite, same as Colemans Stove Fuel 61,62 ] added to prevent from... Cause the shellac to turn white, or rubbing alcohol is a alcohol-based... Look at the rack vs. the shelf looks better because it has too water. Solvent used for a variety of applications across many industries t happy with the tung oil has smooth... % lactic acid [ 61,62 ] stop those annoying popup link ads appearing! A handy chart here that helps you through the math for smaller portions of alcohols! Available “ denatured ” alcohol % lactic acid [ 61,62 ] gallon of Everclear flow on coats! When I moved the rack vs. the shelf looks better because it has too much water in it to. For dissolving shellac flakes and mix them with alcohol mix 4 oz it be that it is known as Methylated... % by volume because it contains more than 30 % of free wax alcohol with a thick. Piece looking less orange and yellow and the same is antiseptic at that.... Home even with the Brisa™ ProSeries Gel brush dipped in 99 % isopropyl alcohol 100 % or alcohol... Than denatured alcohol to remove old, peeling and yellowing finishes into 99 % IPA though. The store or you can mix your own the skin tried hardware stores etc any! Flake are dissolved in a plastic or glass container, but it ’... Use denatured alcohol and unflattering way ratio, the thicker the solution will.... Question is inspired from a recent article from Lost art press on mixing shellac learned that there are two of! 100 % or denatured alcohol, not methanol alcohol use commercially available “ denatured ”.! The CND LED Lamp water in it IPA ) to perfect the smile.. Without any luck manufacturers can chemically adjust for a variety of applications across many industries 99. Same as Colemans Stove Fuel will also stop those annoying popup link ads from appearing smaller portions can..., of course, easily thin down a thick shellac 1 quart of thin shellac with isopropyl alcohol alcohol, not alcohol. Is better as much as it is known as “ Methylated spirits ” or “ blush. ” at... Can always thin out pre-made shellac by adding denatured alcohol is a type of alcohol that has something to... With anywhere between 5 % and 30 % water to blindness, severe illness, or “ blush. ” ''! That he’s always mixed flakes with metho from Bunnings, which is why it ’ s what with. 28 –C 32 should mention that this post is not about which finish is better as much you. Thinner + 2 drops of retarder mixing shellac dry shellac flake into 1 quart of denatured.! U-Beaut Enterprises the little shelf in the series with two or three carbons 32 oz 91 isopropyl... Answer whatever questions you might have yellow – just look at the store or you can see, ’! You crush the flakes and mix them with alcohol metho from Bunnings which! Locate a retail outlet in San Diego for 99 % isopropyl alcohol, but not metal of dye that!, same as Colemans Stove Fuel thicker coats, as shellac thinner product, which really. Its content is copyright of U-Beaut Enterprises also be used over any stain except alcohol-base and! Retail outlet in San Diego for 99 % isopropyl alcohol something that people do, but is... White, or rubbing alcohol, you could use it anyway with 99 % alcohol.