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Question for the finishing guys. I think all are aware that de-natured alcohol is not available in CA. I like to use de-waxed shellac as a sealer and I am looking for alternatives just for cleaning my brushes and spray equipment (i.e., not for thinning or mixing). I know I can probably get away with grain alcohol, but what about isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or Goof-Off (i.e. acetone). Anyone have any experience with these alternatives – again just for cleaning up? Thanks
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(04-09-2025, 06:10 PM)Don_M Wrote: Question for the finishing guys. I think all are aware that de-natured alcohol is not available in CA. I like to use de-waxed shellac as a sealer and I am looking for alternatives just for cleaning my brushes and spray equipment (i.e., not for thinning or mixing). I know I can probably get away with grain alcohol, but what about isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or Goof-Off (i.e. acetone). Anyone have any experience with these alternatives – again just for cleaning up? Thanks
Ammonia kills shellac. A mix of warm water with maybe 20% ammonia plus a little soap will remove shellac from your spray gun, etc. And I don't see any reason other alcohols won't work, so I'd try isopropanol if that's what you have. Save the grain alcohol for its intended use (but it should work, too.)!
It's hard to believe you can buy and use acetone in CA but not DNA.
Lacquer thinner dissolves shellac, too, if that's available.
John
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(04-09-2025, 06:26 PM)jteneyck Wrote: Ammonia kills shellac. A mix of warm water with maybe 20% ammonia plus a little soap will remove shellac from your spray gun, etc. And I don't see any reason other alcohols won't work, so I'd try isopropanol if that's what you have. Save the grain alcohol for its intended use (but it should work, too.)!
It's hard to believe you can buy and use acetone in CA but not DNA.
Lacquer thinner dissolves shellac, too, if that's available.
John
Well – that’s crazy CA for you. I think the reason DNA is no longer available is because of the toxicity if consumed even though it is marked “NOT FOR CONSUMPTION” – go figure. But both Lacquer Thinner and Acetone are available. Both are strong solvents – so pretty sure they would be fine for C/U. I’ve heard of the ammonia alternative – but have not yet tried it. Just wanted to see if anyone had experience w/ these before I use shellac and gum up my $1,000 spray equipment!
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You'll find ammonia is much better for clean up of shellac than the solvents. They (solvents) just dissolve and dilute the shellac, takes a lot of rinses to get it all out of spray guns and such. OTOH, ammonia completely breaks it down and after you rinse with clean water you're done, plus it's a lot less expensive. The only "problem" I've encountered using ammonia on a spray gun is that it will stain aluminum after some time. It didn't seem to damage it, but it did discolor it on the aluminum gun I have.
I started with absolutely nothing. Now, thanks to years of hard work, careful planning, and perseverance, I find I still have most of it left.
