Polish

[cerro]

I have two bottles of vodca can I mix some with shillac to make french polish or is it a no no.

 

[Hypnotic Chimera]

I have two bottles of vodca can I mix some with shillac to make french polish or is it a no no.

That's a no, no.

Waste of vodka imho.

 

[AJB Temple]

Vodka will dissolve shellac flakes so the logical answer is yes. Normally one uses denatured alcohol such as meths, which is a great deal cheaper than vodka usually, but there is nothing to stop you using vodka if you wish. Usually 250g flakes to 1 litre of liquid. You can go up to 500g per litre if you want a thicker polish but add gradually.

 

[Sachakins]

The shellac is not a good mixer for vodka, it tastes awful

 

[cerro]

I dont drink never have, never drunk a pint of bear in my life. But my son was a alcoholic and had three bottles left when he hung himself so I sold one unopened. But with a little bit out of the other two they are surplus to requierments so add to shillac. I have three bottles of Methylated spirits would that be better as opinion seems devided on here.

 

[niall Y]

I dont drink never have, never drunk a pint of bear in my life. But my son was a alcoholic and had three bottles left when he hung himself so I sold one unopened. But with a little bit out of the other two they are surplus to requierments so add to shillac. I have three bottles of Methylated spirits would that be better as opinion seems devided on here.

You have my heartfelt sympathy. This is very sad and devastating thing to happen to a family member, Based on this alone,, my impulse would be to pour the alcohol down the sink.

Spirits sold for drinking, are often mixed with water to regulate their strength. Probably better to use something that is as pure as you can get it., so you are not inadvertently adding water to the shellac

 

[Richard_C]

Sorry to hear of your situation.

Vodka will be 40%* ethanol, 60% water. Likely to have some sugars and other things in the water bit so might not dry clear. Meths will be over 90% ethanol. Likley to be better, quicker and harder drying.

British meths has a purple colourant in it (not so in other countries) but I don't think that makes a noticable difference to the finish.

Why not try a small sample of each as you have them both to hand?

* modern rules require ABV labelling, alcohol by volume. Older labels might say "proof" - "100 degrees proof" normally means 50% alcohol and many spirits sold in the UK were 70 degrees proof, roughly 35% ethanol. I say normally, in the past the US, France and UK had different systems and traditions. Whichever, any commercially available spirit intended for consumption will be at least half something other than ethanol.

 

[paulrbarnard]

I have two bottles of vodca can I mix some with shillac to make french polish or is it a no no.

If it’s Polish vodka you’ll be fine

 

[Hypnotic Chimera]

I dont drink never have, never drunk a pint of bear in my life. But my son was a alcoholic and had three bottles left when he hung himself so I sold one unopened. But with a little bit out of the other two they are surplus to requierments so add to shillac. I have three bottles of Methylated spirits would that be better as opinion seems devided on here.

My deepest sympathies. Words are not enough.
My uncle also went to an early demise through vodka alcoholism.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

My thought go out to you as well
As for the mix
To “ the place of fire and pitch forks with it mix a small batch just enough to test the idea
Ps sorry mods did not think before posting four letter word for hadies

 

[cerro]

Thank you for your kind replys I will pour it down the sink and use proper stuff Thank you

 

[TRITON]

If it’s Polish vodka you’ll be fine

Or Romanian home made. That stuff packs a wallop

Can I ask the reason for wanting to make Vodka polish ? Don't you like the French* ?

* Which TBH many might agree with you on that

 

[Fergie 307]

The shellac is not a good mixer for vodka, it tastes awful

I'll take your word for it

 

[Fergie 307]

I dont drink never have, never drunk a pint of bear in my life. But my son was a alcoholic and had three bottles left when he hung himself so I sold one unopened. But with a little bit out of the other two they are surplus to requierments so add to shillac. I have three bottles of Methylated spirits would that be better as opinion seems devided on here.

Very sorry to hear that.
I think I may have been the only one to raise an issue with meths, purely on the basis that I had never used it because I was concerned about what effect the colour might have.
Clear from other posts that it isn't an issue.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

I did not fine an issue

 

[MikeB1972]

If it’s Polish vodka you’ll be fine

Nah, It's only a French polish if you use Grey Goose.