Why special metho?

[Bodgy]

Just been on the sponsors web site. I see reference to 100% Industrial Metho or IMS, for use as the dilutant for Shellac flakes.

Could someone explain why?

In my ignorance I've just been using everyday metho (Kmart is the cheapest in 4 litre bottles) with the shellac flakes. To my gross and untutored eye, this has worked fine - exactly as per the instructions. Some pieces are 6 months old and show no signs of the finish deteriorating.

[Sturdee]

Bodgy,

Last year when I first started french polishing, as opposed to just brushing it on with shellac, I used the cheap stuff from Bunnings for the first coffee table and the 100 % stuff from a specialist supplier for the second identical coffee table.

Whilst the final appearance and finish is the same for both, the second was done in half the time it took to do the first. This is because you have to polish out all the water in the metho before a shine starts to appear.

The time saving for the second one was about 8 hours and all for the extra cost of about a 25 cents a litre of metho.


Peter.

[silentC]

Water. A lot of common metho has water in it and that can make the shellac turn white.

[Bodgy]

Got it. Thanks

NOTE TO SPONSOR: Next time you edit your Shellac product Web pages, maybe you could add this explanation? Demystifies things for those intellectually challenged clients.

[silentC]

If you bought yourself a copy of The Bible, you wouldn't need to ask!!

[Bodgy]

If you bought yourself a copy of The Bible, you wouldn't need to ask!!

Am reviewing my Sensei's copy currently. If results favourable will request in Xmas stocking, always assuming 'special offer' is forthcoming for the festive season.

[Termite]

Am reviewing my Sensei's copy currently. If results favourable will request in Xmas stocking, always assuming 'special offer' is forthcoming for the festive season.

A funny thing about the polishers handbook, you are advised not to read it straight through and the rebel in me did just that.
On first read it appears to be fairly general, but I did as advised and kept it in a workshop drawer, and you would be amazed at the number of times it comes out for a point of reference. I owe most of my better finishing, and preparation, methods to this book and it's author. Used as it should be, it is a valuable addition to any workshop.

Not bad, I've managed to crawl to both and Neil in the space of 10 mins.

[silentC]

You'd better go and wink at SWMBO while you're on a roll, mate

[Auld Bassoon]

G'day Peter!

I've been using the Bungoes Meths - and yes it does take some polishing. Where do you get the 100% (ethanol?) meths?

For 25c/L it be a very happy camper not having to do all that extra polishing...
Cheers!

[Driver]

G'day Peter!

I've been using the Bungoes Meths - and yes it does take some polishing. Where do you get the 100% (ethanol?) meths?

For 25c/L it be a very happy camper not having to do all that extra polishing...
Cheers!

You can get it from Haymes Paints. Just bought some this morning.

[Sturdee]

G'day Peter!

I've been using the Bungoes Meths - and yes it does take some polishing. Where do you get the 100% (ethanol?) meths?

For 25c/L it be a very happy camper not having to do all that extra polishing...
Cheers!

Steve,

Last year I bought the 100 % metho, together with a whole lot of other stuf like turps, thinners, paint strippers, shellac flakes and hand cleaners from Advance Chemicals, 4-8 Malton Crt, Altona and they have agents in other states. ( http://www.advancechemicals.com.au/contact.htm)

They sell a whole range of products in the cleaning field as well as french polishing needs, including stains, at very reasonable prices.

The reason for the cheap prices is that they sell it loose into your own containers. So bring your empties for refilling. They will only fill proper containers that are designed for it and that complies with the packaging laws. If you have no containers they will sell them but that will reduce the savings.

Whilst my prices are based on my purchases during August last year the 100% Metho was $ 2.30 a litre which compared very favourable with the 4 lt can of 100 % Haimes metho I bought from PaintRight in Feb that year at $ 26.10.

No doubt these prices have risen but for you info attached is a copy of their counter price list of July 2003. I had to split it into 4 photos because of files sizes. Give them a ring for updated prices. Well worth the trip to Altona.


Peter.


Peter.

[Auld Bassoon]

Thanks Peter!

That's some v. useful info!

Cheers!

[boban]

And if there was ever any doubt he was a bean counter......

good on you Sturdee

[BrettC]

Hi,
Thanks for this info above, I've got a tub of Orange Shellac flakes that I'm wanting to do my latest project with and same as others was wondering about the metho. I've read a few articles on the use of Shellac in FWW and they always say to mix with denatured alcohol.

I went to Bunnies and asked them and the guy looked at me and said he'd never heard of it. I'm assuming that the 'pure' stuff that Haymes and others sell is what's called denatured alcohol in the US?

[BrettC]

Just saw the link at the bottom about 100% Meth - explains everything