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Double Bass denatured alcohol question

M

Martin Sheridan

Jan 4, 2001
612
4
81
Fort Madison, Iowa
Disclosures
Bass Maker
#1
i have a question about denatured alcohol. I know that it is ethanol with a denaturing agent, usually wood alcohol, but what is the percentage of water?
I have read that alcohol naturally will take on water which is why you can't buy grain or ethenol that is more than 180 proof or 90 percent.
Here in Mexico all of the bottles of denatured say(I think) that it is 70 percent. I'm wondering if this is true with the product sold in the states and is the other 30 percent water or other products such as acetone or gasoline?

I'm wanting to make some alcohol varnish and I don't want to ruin the little seedlac I have left by putting 70 percent in it if it won't work.
 
#4
The company I work for uses ETOH as a cleaning agent for very high grade mechanical parts prior to final assembly. We buy reagent grade 98% ETOH that is certified to meet the requirements of the federal cleanliness standards for our product. We get if from a local chemical supply house in 5, 10, and 50 gal containers. There is no reason you should be able to get a hold of the same thing in Mexico. Ours probably comes form south of the border anyway.

It is strange stuff to work with. It feels "dry" on your skin. It is not like the the stuff in your bathroom cabinet.
 
#5
Ethanol is probably available but finding it is another thing. I live in Mazatlan which has about a half million people. You'd be amazed at what you can't find here. I have asked several pharmacists and they can't tell me either. One recommended a licquor store, but they didn't have it.
So, that get's me back to the essense of the original question which is: is 70 percent denatured ok to make spirit varnish?

As an aside, the local Home Depot(yes, we have oen) opened about a year ago and they had cans of denatured alcohol. I decided I would get some on my next visit to the store. Three days later they were out of it and have never restocked. I look for it every time I go there.
 
#6
Getting 95% drinking spirits may be nearly impossible, as it might be prohibited by law in your country, but getting high percentage industrial alcohol shouldn't be that hard. It's used in practically any industrial or medical activity. A short list to consider:

High school or college with a science department
Hospital or medical lab
Furniture manufacturer
Paint or other chemical manufacturer
Electronics or mechanical assembly plant
Plastics molder/Toy manufacturer
Artists' supplier

Even if some of these guys wouldn't agree to sell to you directly, they must get their stuff from somewhere!

I know your plight. I ran a small plastics casting business in NYC in the late 90's. I spent much of my time sourcing difficult to get chemicals, materials, and specialized tools. I was pretty good at it, but one thing I always needed but could never secure a reliable supply of was:


Wood Tongue Depressers!

Robobass
 

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