Denatured Alcohol

[Mooeee]

Good Evening

Could anybody tell what denatured alcohol is? they have it in America and some American wood working books list it but can't seem top find available over here.
It is also used for making a flattening solution.

Hope somebody can help.

Thanks

 

[Sgian Dubh]

It's ethanol (ethyl alcohol) made from grain. Basically, it's supercharged whisky. About 10% methanol (wood alcohol) used to be added to the mix, but there are other additives that are often used instead nowadays.

Meths is just another name for the same stuff. Here in the UK blue dye is added to consumer grade alcohol. If you go to specialist furniture polish suppliers and chemists you can get denatured alcohol. They may not supply if you are not in the trade or can prove the need for this type of industrial alcohol.

The blue meths can be used in veneer flattening. On the whole I prefer to use denatured alcohol in wood finishing, etc., as I find meths can impart a bit of blueness to a polishing job. Others don't seem to notice it. Slainte.

 

[dennyk]

I asked the same question a while back, I got quite a lot of answers, some brainy chemist on the forum gave me a rundown on the whys and wherefores of methylated spirit, I now use it for making up cut shellac, also for thinning the ready mixed Fiddes shellac Polish

I buy it in 500ml bottles in the local DIY store.