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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Other Sciences Question Forum => Topic started by: dptulk on August 03, 2004, 10:19:49 PM

Title: Catalizing Mineral Oil and Alcohol?
Post by: dptulk on August 03, 2004, 10:19:49 PM

I have developed a finish for woodworking on a lathe that contains alchohol (as a carrier for shellac particles) and Mineral oil as a wood conditioner and lubricant.  It works great!  only it seperates.  Any Ideas on what I could use to catalize this mixture?

BTW I am not a chemistry buff, just a woodworker... Thanks for any help.

Title: Re:Catalizing Mineral Oil and Alcohol?
Post by: movies on August 04, 2004, 02:13:04 PM

I think your going to have a tough time with finding something to do that.  What you need is an emulsifier.  You might try addind a little bit of soap or detergent and see if that has any effect, but it might prevent the shellac from adhering to the wood.  You could also try using a different alcohol that has more carbons in it; if you are using ethanol (drinking alcohol), try isopropanol (rubbing alcohol).  I don't know about the availability of other alcohols though.

Title: Re:Catalizing Mineral Oil and Alcohol?
Post by: dptulk on August 12, 2004, 02:03:40 PM

Thanks for your response.

I have moved from mineral oil to a vegatable based oil and while it seperates, it takes days as apposed to minutes.  This will work for now.

Title: Re:Catalizing Mineral Oil and Alcohol?
Post by: movies on August 12, 2004, 04:02:13 PM

That's interesting.  Not something I had thought of.  Thanks for the update!