Can someone please help me out on the different kinds of alcohol?
When I go to the hardware store I get different answers for different people. So what is the same and which ones are different? Is rubbing alcohol=isopropyl or is it methal hydrate. What is denatured alcohol is it pure alcohol like from the drug store? And wood alcohol? All I know is the kind you drink...

Thanks
Shayne

Shane,

Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol and percentages you can buy at your local store vary from about 70-92%

Denatured alcohol is actually a mixture of alcohols. It can contain several kinds and often contains a high percentage methanol, some ethanol, isopropanol and others.

Chemists would laugh at the term "methyl hydrate" in that it is sort of a colloquialism. It is the same as methanol. Methanol is what some folks refer to as wood alcohol.

The only thing that you can safely (sort of) ingest is ethanol. Reagent ethanol is usually denatured with something like methanol or high test combustable fuels to make it unfit for consumption. That way there is no liquor tax.

Flex Coat Brush Cleaner works pretty good too. Have no idea what's in it though.....

thanks John,
just to add. 95% ethanol, or ethyl alcohol is pretty close to 'absolute' in terms of strength and certain annebriation if injested. I think that it's about equal to 40 proof. don't recommend it for party purposes though, stick with the smirnof if you feel the urge.

Rubbing or isopropyl alcohol (70%) is one commonly used, as is denatured alcohol around the rod shop for cleaning and such. If you can find it, 90% isolpropyl is a decent product for cleaning, but more expensive.
Denature or methanol is very toxic if injested causing liver damage. It is a good product for cleaning brushes, but still failry volatile and with a high flashpoint (although lower than acetone).

Up north methy hydrate is often used as a fuel line antifreeze, what that has to do with rodbuilding, I have no idea....I digress.

Brush cleaners like flex coat or trondak brush cleaners have lower flash points and thus somewhat safer to use (as long as there is no intention of ingestion).

Other alcohols that may be describe are generally in a gaseous phase and not considered in rodbuilding. Well, butanol (butane) might be used in the small torch to remove bubbles from finishes (but don't mention this to Ralph, please?).

Another use is in alcohol bubble busting lamps, usually with denatured alcohol. Handy item in the rod shop to have around, but handle with care.

big sign in the shop.....NO SMOKING!!!

Rich
Solyrich Custom Rods