Denatured Alcohol
Alcohol is very important to us at PennCoat. Denatured alcohol, that is. It’s ethanol to which poison — often methanol — has been added to render it non-consumable. We use it every day to clean surfaces and equipment prior to use.
Chemistry
The main ingredient, ethanol, has the formula C2H6O, with two carbon atoms sharing a single bond — similar to ethane except one hydrogen has been replaced by a hydroxyl (OH) group. Ethanol is colorless liquid with a mild aroma. It is less dense than water (0.79 grams per cubic centimeter at 77°F), boils at 173.07°F and freezes below -173°F. It will auto-ignite if heated to 689°F. Its hydroxyl group can form a hydrogen bond, adding to its viscosity and lowering its volatility compared to propane, which weighs about the same as ethanol.
Ethanol is an excellent solvent, easily mixing with water, acetic acid, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, acetone, benzene, ethylene glycol and many other solvents. It’s produced as a product or byproduct of fermentation and by the hydration of ethylene derived from petroleum.
Denaturing ethanol yields an undrinkable liquid that is not subject to alcohol tax. Denaturing doesn’t change the structure of ethanol, it simply introduces a toxic or extremely unpleasant additive. In addition to 5-to 25 percent methanol (as a fuel for stoves, methanol may make up 50 percent), other denaturants include:
Denaturants are often chosen because they are difficult to distill separately from ethanol, making it hard to turn denatured alcohol into booze. The usual formula is nine parts ethanol to one part denaturant, though this can vary and multiple denaturants can be used together. Sometimes the denatured alcohol is dyed with methyl violet as a warning against ingestion.
Uses for Denatured Alcohol
Denatured alcohol is a versatile solvent, stain-remover, thinner and cleaner:
- As a solvent, it thins shellac, lacquers, resins and inks
- It’s used to clean up oil- and shellac-based paints off equipment and tools. You can simply soak a brush in a bowl or bucket of denatured alcohol, then wipe with a rag or paper towel. It even works for dried-on paint or shellac.
- Diluted, it’s an excellent glass and window cleaner
- As a degreasing agent, it removes spots, grease, scuffs and surface soils from hard surfaces, including metal, tile, wood and plastic. It should be applied via a cloth or rag. We often use it to help clean surfaces prior to applying a coating or paint.
- Wipe down freshly sanded wood surfaces to raise the grain and then lightly sand for a softer, smoother finish.
- It kills mildew.
- It dissolves glue and removes wax.
- Not for use with acrylic or vinyl.
Precautions
Needless to say, never drink the stuff because it might kill you. If accidentally swallowed, call a physician, induce vomiting and then drink a solution of baking soda. Here are some precautions:
- Keep container tightly closed and stored in a well-ventilated location
- Keep away from flames, cigarettes and other ignition sources. If it catches on fire, use a Type B (carbon dioxide) extinguisher.
- Avoid breathing in and contract with skin.
- Don’t pour it down drains.
- Don’t store above 120°F.
FAQs
Denatured alcohol is a versatile solvent, stain-remover, thinner and cleaner: As a solvent, it thins shellac, lacquers, resins and inks. It's used to clean up oil- and shellac-based paints off equipment and tools. You can simply soak a brush in a bowl or bucket of denatured alcohol, then wipe with a rag or paper towel.
Is painters solvent the same as denatured alcohol? ›
Alcohol for paint solvents is often denatured. Denatured ethanol is ethyl alcohol made unfit for human consumption without chemically altering or decomposing it. Because it cannot be consumed, it tends to be subject to far lower tax rates.
Can I use denatured alcohol to clean before painting? ›
Denatured alcohol will be fine to use it will dry quickly and will be fine for any type of paint once dried.
Will denatured alcohol remove paint from plastic? ›
Conversely, plastic items tolerate denatured alcohol better, and you can use it to clean plastic items without causing any detriment. You can use denatured alcohol in the paint removal process, but it doesn't dissolve the paint completely.
How do you prep denatured alcohol for painting? ›
Denatured alcohol is readily available at hardware stores, or right here on Amazon. Spray a light layer of your denatured alcohol and water mixture onto your piece, and then scour and scrub it with a Scotch-Brite scouring pad. Wipe off the excess and let dry.
Will denatured alcohol remove acrylic paint? ›
Use denatured alcohol, as it works the best on the most stubborn dried acrylic stains. Pour a little on a cloth or cotton ball and hold against the stain for a minute. With small circular motions, rub the paint until it lifts. Use a damp, soapy washcloth to wipe the area free of the alcohol.
Will denatured alcohol damage lacquer finish? ›
Start by applying denatured alcohol. Alcohol will readily dissolve shellac, and it will slowly soften lacquer. Lacquer thinner will readily dissolve lacquer and will soften shellac. It will cause varnish to swell, crinkle and lift.
What is the best solvent to dissolve paint? ›
All over the globe, Ammonia and Acetone are the two widely used chemicals to remove paint from the metal surface.
Is denatured alcohol bad for paint? ›
The "reason" every rep says it's a bad idea to mix alcohol into latex paint is the same reason it's effective in determining whether an existing coating is oil or latex... Denatured Alcohol dissolves latex and acrylic resin.
What not to mix with denatured alcohol? ›
Bleach and rubbing alcohol create chloroform. This combination is highly toxic and can cause damage to your eyes, lungs, and liver. Combining these products can create peracetic / peroxyacetic acid, which can be highly corrosive and irritate your eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
Dip a cotton ball into a small amount of denatured alcohol. Rub it over a small area on the surface. If the paint does NOT come off, it is oil-based paint and you will need to prime the surface with a bonding primer before applying latex paint.
Is acetone same as denatured alcohol? ›
Acetone VS Denatured Alcohol
One of the biggest differences between acetone and denatured alcohol is that acetone is a non-toxic, organic, naturally occurring chemical compound, while denatured alcohol is ethanol based and has denaturants added to it, making it poisonous if consumed.
What is the best thing to wipe down metal before painting? ›
Clean the surface using ordinary household detergent or mineral spirits. Remove loose paint or rust with a wire brush, sandpaper or steel wool.
Is denatured alcohol the same as paint thinner? ›
When painting with coatings stronger than just alkyd paint, then denatured alcohol will be a good option. The main ingredient in denatured alcohol is ethenol, which is an excellent solvent, acting as a stain-remover, thinner and cleaner.
What is the point of denatured alcohol? ›
' Denatured alcohol is used as a lower-cost solvent or fuel for home-scale or industrial use, compared with the heavily taxed pure alcohol and alcohol used in beverages.
