Empathy List Archives

TO

Tawn O'Connor

Tue, Aug 13, 2013 2:05 PM

I could use some help finding the best alcohol to mix with Klucel G!
I bought Isopropyl in 91% and even 99% concentrations at CVS. But it smells
awful and seems so harsh. Leather is skin. Does Klucel completely offset the
alcohol's drying effect on leather?
I love the Cellugel that Talas sells. It seems milder, certainly smells
better. But it thickens so quickly. I don't know where to buy the alcohol
separately to thin the Cellugel. (I think it may be mixed with some kind of
scent, or buffer? Is that the "nasty additive"?) I didn't find it on the
Talas website so I guess they don't sell it. (If it's there, please tell me,
I'd be happy to be wrong.)
Where does one buy ethyl alcohol? One label said, at a liquor store. They
looked at me like I had two heads when I asked. No luck there.
I don't have access to lab alcohol.
Any answers would be most appreciated!

Tawn O'Connor
Heritage Book and Bible Repair
Middletown, MD

RE: 1. Alcohol for mixing KlucelG (Mark Lambert)
I remember that I shouldn't be using Isopropyl Alcohol 70% to mix KlucelG,
because it isn't pure enough. Also, I don't think I want to use denatured
alcohol because of the nasty additives. Can someone give me a brand name and
description of the alcohol that is best in this application (and where to
find it)?
Thanks
Mark Lambertwww.ploughandshear.com

I could use some help finding the best alcohol to mix with Klucel G! I bought Isopropyl in 91% and even 99% concentrations at CVS. But it smells awful and seems so harsh. Leather is skin. Does Klucel completely offset the alcohol's drying effect on leather? I love the Cellugel that Talas sells. It seems milder, certainly smells better. But it thickens so quickly. I don't know where to buy the alcohol separately to thin the Cellugel. (I think it may be mixed with some kind of scent, or buffer? Is that the "nasty additive"?) I didn't find it on the Talas website so I guess they don't sell it. (If it's there, please tell me, I'd be happy to be wrong.) Where does one buy ethyl alcohol? One label said, at a liquor store. They looked at me like I had two heads when I asked. No luck there. I don't have access to lab alcohol. Any answers would be most appreciated! Tawn O'Connor Heritage Book and Bible Repair Middletown, MD RE: 1. Alcohol for mixing KlucelG (Mark Lambert) I remember that I shouldn't be using Isopropyl Alcohol 70% to mix KlucelG, because it isn't pure enough. Also, I don't think I want to use denatured alcohol because of the nasty additives. Can someone give me a brand name and description of the alcohol that is best in this application (and where to find it)? Thanks Mark Lambertwww.ploughandshear.com

ML

Mark Lambert

Tue, Aug 13, 2013 2:16 PM

Thanks to all the help from this listserve, I discovered Antec in Kentucky, which sells Anhydrous 99% alcohol in 1 liter bottles. You do not have to pay a Hazmat shipping surcharge for 1 liter or under. The telephone number is 502-636-5176.

Mark Lambert
Plough & Shear Bindery
www.ploughandshear.com

From: tawnoconner1@verizon.net
To: gbw@list.guildofbookworkers.org; BOOK_ARTS-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:05:01 -0400
Subject: Re: [GBW] Where to find ethyl alcohol?

I could use some help finding the best alcohol to mix with Klucel G!
I bought Isopropyl in 91% and even 99% concentrations at CVS. But it smells
awful and seems so harsh. Leather is skin. Does Klucel completely offset the
alcohol's drying effect on leather?
I love the Cellugel that Talas sells. It seems milder, certainly smells
better. But it thickens so quickly. I don't know where to buy the alcohol
separately to thin the Cellugel. (I think it may be mixed with some kind of
scent, or buffer? Is that the "nasty additive"?) I didn't find it on the
Talas website so I guess they don't sell it. (If it's there, please tell me,
I'd be happy to be wrong.)
Where does one buy ethyl alcohol? One label said, at a liquor store. They
looked at me like I had two heads when I asked. No luck there.
I don't have access to lab alcohol.
Any answers would be most appreciated!

Tawn O'Connor
Heritage Book and Bible Repair
Middletown, MD

RE: 1. Alcohol for mixing KlucelG (Mark Lambert)

I remember that I shouldn't be using Isopropyl Alcohol 70% to mix KlucelG,
because it isn't pure enough. Also, I don't think I want to use denatured
alcohol because of the nasty additives. Can someone give me a brand name and
description of the alcohol that is best in this application (and where to
find it)?
Thanks
Mark Lambertwww.ploughandshear.com

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communications@guildofbookworkers.org

Thanks to all the help from this listserve, I discovered Antec in Kentucky, which sells Anhydrous 99% alcohol in 1 liter bottles. You do not have to pay a Hazmat shipping surcharge for 1 liter or under. The telephone number is 502-636-5176. Mark Lambert Plough & Shear Bindery www.ploughandshear.com > From: tawnoconner1@verizon.net > To: gbw@list.guildofbookworkers.org; BOOK_ARTS-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU > Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:05:01 -0400 > Subject: Re: [GBW] Where to find ethyl alcohol? > > I could use some help finding the best alcohol to mix with Klucel G! > I bought Isopropyl in 91% and even 99% concentrations at CVS. But it smells > awful and seems so harsh. Leather is skin. Does Klucel completely offset the > alcohol's drying effect on leather? > I love the Cellugel that Talas sells. It seems milder, certainly smells > better. But it thickens so quickly. I don't know where to buy the alcohol > separately to thin the Cellugel. (I think it may be mixed with some kind of > scent, or buffer? Is that the "nasty additive"?) I didn't find it on the > Talas website so I guess they don't sell it. (If it's there, please tell me, > I'd be happy to be wrong.) > Where does one buy ethyl alcohol? One label said, at a liquor store. They > looked at me like I had two heads when I asked. No luck there. > I don't have access to lab alcohol. > Any answers would be most appreciated! > > Tawn O'Connor > Heritage Book and Bible Repair > Middletown, MD > > RE: 1. Alcohol for mixing KlucelG (Mark Lambert) > I remember that I shouldn't be using Isopropyl Alcohol 70% to mix KlucelG, > because it isn't pure enough. Also, I don't think I want to use denatured > alcohol because of the nasty additives. Can someone give me a brand name and > description of the alcohol that is best in this application (and where to > find it)? > Thanks > Mark Lambertwww.ploughandshear.com > > > > ____________________________________________________ > GBW: The NEW email list for GBW member communications > > For info about the list or to change your settings, visit http://list.guildofbookworkers.org/mailman/listinfo/gbw_list.guildofbookworkers.org > > GBW Calendar of Events Online > <http://www.guildofbookworkers.org/_wp/index.php/events/> > > Horizons - GBW 2012-2014 Traveling Exhibition > <http://www.guildofbookworkers.org/events/exhibits.php> > > To post messages, email to GBW@list.guildofbookworkers.org > > For problems, contact Henry Hebert, List Manager: > communications@guildofbookworkers.org > _______________________________________________

LD

Liz Dube

Tue, Aug 13, 2013 2:37 PM

Hi Tawn,

Alcohol can indeed be very harsh/drying. It might be helpful to keep in mind that Klucel G is not "good for" leather per se. It functions by adhering all the degraded powdery bits of leather together, thereby changing the leather into something fundamentally very different. As such it is seen as a treatment of last resort. Keeping the water out of the Klucel G is seen as critical because water often darkens highly deteriorated leather in a typically most unwelcome way.

Any scientists out there, feel free to correct/refine my comments!

Hope this is helpful. Good luck!
Liz
__
Liz Dube
Conservator
Hesburgh Libraries, University of Notre Dame

On Aug 13, 2013, at 10:05 AM, Tawn O'Connor wrote:

I could use some help finding the best alcohol to mix with Klucel G!
I bought Isopropyl in 91% and even 99% concentrations at CVS. But it smells
awful and seems so harsh. Leather is skin. Does Klucel completely offset the
alcohol's drying effect on leather?
I love the Cellugel that Talas sells. It seems milder, certainly smells
better. But it thickens so quickly. I don't know where to buy the alcohol
separately to thin the Cellugel. (I think it may be mixed with some kind of
scent, or buffer? Is that the "nasty additive"?) I didn't find it on the
Talas website so I guess they don't sell it. (If it's there, please tell me,
I'd be happy to be wrong.)
Where does one buy ethyl alcohol? One label said, at a liquor store. They
looked at me like I had two heads when I asked. No luck there.
I don't have access to lab alcohol.
Any answers would be most appreciated!

Tawn O'Connor
Heritage Book and Bible Repair
Middletown, MD

RE: 1. Alcohol for mixing KlucelG (Mark Lambert)
I remember that I shouldn't be using Isopropyl Alcohol 70% to mix KlucelG,
because it isn't pure enough. Also, I don't think I want to use denatured
alcohol because of the nasty additives. Can someone give me a brand name and
description of the alcohol that is best in this application (and where to
find it)?
Thanks
Mark Lambertwww.ploughandshear.com

GBW: The NEW email list for GBW member communications

For info about the list or to change your settings, visit http://list.guildofbookworkers.org/mailman/listinfo/gbw_list.guildofbookworkers.org

GBW Calendar of Events Online
http://www.guildofbookworkers.org/_wp/index.php/events/

Horizons - GBW 2012-2014 Traveling Exhibition
http://www.guildofbookworkers.org/events/exhibits.php

To post messages, email to GBW@list.guildofbookworkers.org

For problems, contact Henry Hebert, List Manager:
communications@guildofbookworkers.org

Hi Tawn, Alcohol can indeed be very harsh/drying. It might be helpful to keep in mind that Klucel G is not "good for" leather per se. It functions by adhering all the degraded powdery bits of leather together, thereby changing the leather into something fundamentally very different. As such it is seen as a treatment of last resort. Keeping the water out of the Klucel G is seen as critical because water often darkens highly deteriorated leather in a typically most unwelcome way. Any scientists out there, feel free to correct/refine my comments! Hope this is helpful. Good luck! Liz __ Liz Dube Conservator Hesburgh Libraries, University of Notre Dame On Aug 13, 2013, at 10:05 AM, Tawn O'Connor wrote: > I could use some help finding the best alcohol to mix with Klucel G! > I bought Isopropyl in 91% and even 99% concentrations at CVS. But it smells > awful and seems so harsh. Leather is skin. Does Klucel completely offset the > alcohol's drying effect on leather? > I love the Cellugel that Talas sells. It seems milder, certainly smells > better. But it thickens so quickly. I don't know where to buy the alcohol > separately to thin the Cellugel. (I think it may be mixed with some kind of > scent, or buffer? Is that the "nasty additive"?) I didn't find it on the > Talas website so I guess they don't sell it. (If it's there, please tell me, > I'd be happy to be wrong.) > Where does one buy ethyl alcohol? One label said, at a liquor store. They > looked at me like I had two heads when I asked. No luck there. > I don't have access to lab alcohol. > Any answers would be most appreciated! > > Tawn O'Connor > Heritage Book and Bible Repair > Middletown, MD > > RE: 1. Alcohol for mixing KlucelG (Mark Lambert) > I remember that I shouldn't be using Isopropyl Alcohol 70% to mix KlucelG, > because it isn't pure enough. Also, I don't think I want to use denatured > alcohol because of the nasty additives. Can someone give me a brand name and > description of the alcohol that is best in this application (and where to > find it)? > Thanks > Mark Lambertwww.ploughandshear.com > > > > ____________________________________________________ > GBW: The NEW email list for GBW member communications > > For info about the list or to change your settings, visit http://list.guildofbookworkers.org/mailman/listinfo/gbw_list.guildofbookworkers.org > > GBW Calendar of Events Online > <http://www.guildofbookworkers.org/_wp/index.php/events/> > > Horizons - GBW 2012-2014 Traveling Exhibition > <http://www.guildofbookworkers.org/events/exhibits.php> > > To post messages, email to GBW@list.guildofbookworkers.org > > For problems, contact Henry Hebert, List Manager: > communications@guildofbookworkers.org > _______________________________________________