> Hi Don

> Just a quick comment on "impurities" in our solvent cleaners
> (alcohol, acetone, whatever).

> In a discussion with the technical rep from West Systems products, he
> pointed out that while it is possible to inadvertently contaminate a
> container of solvent by "backwashing" something into it, the
> major source of contaminates comes from the rags we use or the surface we
> are cleaning. Not the solvent its self.

> Soap residues (which are lard based) get dissolved out of the
> "clean" rag and deposited on the surface being cleaned. Much of
> the cloth we use as rags is made with a percentage of synthetic fiber.
> Acetone has a bad reputation because it can dissolve many of these
> synthetics and the residue left on the surface can cause problems.

> I have often wondered if I used enough cleaner to dissolve ALL the
> contaminate and a rag big enough to actually lift/carry the contaminate
> off of the surface I am cleaning or am I just spreading the dirt in a nice
> thin layer :-( Does the expression "fish-eyes" mean anything to
> you?

> BTW, what do you do with the cleaning rag after you have used it? Use it
> again? Been there, done that - had the fish-eyes to prove it.

> I have become much more careful (paranoid?) with my surface prep. I do an
> initial wipe down to remove the most of the contaminate and then go back
> with a fresh cloth a second time - results have been good.

> While it is possible that there may be a chemical incompatibility between
> products, look at your process as well.

> Hope this helps.

> Hank

Wow, if it is That critical about sterilization of the surface, then shellac probably won't be the way to go. Just think of two-hundred thousand and fifty seven little bugs pooping on your boat and then you wipe it in and cover over it. Shellac is some pretty discusting stuff, but, it will do wonders to a nice finish and perhaps make it "Gorgeous". It's gotten me a few ooooh's and aaaaah's in the past on what was a fairly mediocre job. I hesitate to use " Food for thought" on this post. :(

Rehd :)