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I just found Everclear at my corner Walgreens. My question is...Since I am already in the process of French polishing a guitar with shellac that was mixed with Startex denatured alcohol, and I now need to mix up some more shellac, am I stuck with making it with the same solvent that I have used thus far on this guitar? Or can I now switch to the Everclear? Don't know why I didn't realize you could get Everclear here in AZ! Thanks, Wendy

The original solvent is very likely gone, evaporated. I very much doubt that it would give problems if you mixed the two directly, as liquids. Your denatured alcohol contained ethanol anyway.

Which form of Everclear did you find? There are a couple of versions (150 proof, 190 proof, etc...)

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Jim Hansen

190 proof is the one to use for FP and you can continue with it as well.

Walgreens has the 190 proof right out on the shelf. Surprised me. I'm just concerned about switching in the middle of this guitar but it sounds like that is not a problem.

Wendy it shouldn't be a problem.
Is the Everclear the liquor kind? Or was it some sort of medicinal kind?
I've been using the Startex, and it is very good. It should be lots cheaper than the Everclear.

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David, the Everclear is the liquor kind, and 190 proof. It is in their liquor department right next to the bourbons and whiskeys. I was using the Startex because that is what LMI recommended when they stopped selling their denatured alcohol. I had to drive a ways to get it, not realizing that I could get the Everclear right around the corner from my house. You're right though, the Startex is lots cheaper. Wendy

I've been using Everclear since I was able to get a permit to buy it locally.

I don't think you will have any problems switching.

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Jim Hansen

The Startex is available at Sherwin Williams paint stores.

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You shouldn't have any problem at all switching, the first alcohol should be long gone in a few minutes. Just a tip, when French polishing, I have one squeeze bottle each for my shellac, alcohol and oil, but most importantly, the 4th for 1/3 Everclear and 2/3 orange juice....

i have been using isopropyl 99%(not denatured) to cut Bullseye liquid shellac, works just fine and probably 1/10th the price of grain alcohol. i got a couple gallons free somewhere a couple years ago. granted i am not a pro luthier, nor am i putting ultra fine finishes on my stuff, but to me it seems to work just fine....so its not like you HAVE to use Everclear
i know the question at hand was in regards to mixing, but as someone else said, once the solvent is gone it doesn't matter, youre back to flake shellac and you just need to re-dissolve it