It seems this mild solvent is now banned in California. Anyone know why? Acetone and others are still available. ⁉️

Looks like it's right up there with the growing unavailability of Naphtha, another mild solvent.

Bill,

Thanks for the research. I may have to resort to methanol for any future shellac work. Some report that it works. I just haven't had the need since I repaired a couple of antique rocking chairs a couple of years ago. It is going to take a test panel for sure, but I still won't know what it might do over time. I find it interesting that the denatured alcohol I previously bought had a soft, almost oily feel to it. Methanol feels totally different.

I haven't seen naphtha in the store for a while either....

If that is what the pharmacist told you--at best it was misleading and more likely it was wrong! The three commonly known alcohols all have different chemical compositions. The number of carbon atoms in the molecule are all different. Ethanol is not very poisonous, whereas Methanol and Isopropyl are very poisonous. Things seem to get more confused when you hear people say that isopropyl alcohol is "the same thing" but just has water in it. Not true. Even without added water (which makes it "rubbing alcohol") it is chemically not the same as either methanol or ethanol. They are used for different purposes because they are different. For example, the combustion speed of methanol is faster than ethanol. The heat of combustion of ethanol is roughly double that of methanol. Etc.

So for painting and finishing, it would be safer to use ethanol than methanol. And the vaporization temperature should be safer, too. But apparently, someone decided it was the more dangerous VOC.

Methanol is wood alcohol, made from wood, good for fuel and poisonous to drink.
Wood farmers don't have much pull in Washington DC.

Ethanol is grain alcohol, made from corn or potatoes.  Good to drink and good for fuel.
When  used as fuel it is government subsidized.
When used to drink it is HEAVILY taxed.
Corn farmers are in every state and thus corn alcohol (when poisoned by gasoline) is heavily subsidized.
Ironically, I have bought gasoline in Iowa and Nebraska and noted that alcohol-free gasoline is offered at a premium price.

Denatured alcohol is poisoned ethanol to keep people from drinking to avoid taxation.
I don't know exactly what the poison is, but I sure don't drink the stuff.
Home Depot sells to labeled as "Fuel".
It works well for clearing models that have been flown with glow fuel and for cleaning engines and parts.

Incidentally, the V2 ballistic rocket was fueled with potato ethanol (vodka) and it worked well enough.

It has to be because some politician is trying to make a name for him/her self.   

It seems this mild solvent is now banned in California. Anyone know why?

 Because it's California, they've got everything figured out, just ask Kamala. 

Methanol
Ethanol
Isopropyl

One, two, and three carbons, respectfully.

I was applying a decal thing to a stunt plane once and needed some ethanol for the process.  I went to a liquor store.  They wouldn't sell me the straight stuff, so I bought some 151-proof rum, which did the job.  I still have the rest of it if anybody needs it for anything.

One, two, and three carbons, respectfully.

I was applying a decal thing to a stunt plane once and needed some ethanol for the process.  I went to a liquor store.  They wouldn't sell me the straight stuff, so I bought some 151-proof rum, which did the job.  I still have the rest of it if anybody needs it for anything.

Got some Coke? It will dilute it enough to be drinkable. 😁