The Best Alcohol Alternatives For Fracturing Effects
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
Fracturing epoxy designs with spray paint is awesome, but which solvent is best? 70% alcohol? 99% alcohol? Acetone? In this video, we do a test of multiple solvents so you don't have to!
RK3 Designs is a learning studio focused on teaching how to create beautiful epoxy finishes using Stone Coat Countertop Epoxy. These tutorials include epoxy countertops for kitchens, bathrooms, and much more. This channel provides tutorials for DIYers, contractors, designers, or artists.
Rhonda Dracoulis Founder and Primary Instructor
RK3 Designs started as a way for Rhonda to showcase her creativity but has blossomed into a way to help others find theirs. Her obsession with painting led her to start refinishing furniture and kitchen cabinets. She found customers wanted a nicer option than laminate but more affordable and customizable than natural stone, which lead her to countertop epoxy! Since then, she’s helped thousands of students, from across the country (and even Canada eh?).
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Пікірлер: 143
EVERCLEAR HANDS HANDS DOWN!! Depending on the effect you are looking for , a combination of the alcohol and everclear may get some neat effects!!
Ever clear by far. Try it next time with 2 colors like black & silver then use a eye dropper. Hold your hand higher & lower for different effects Thanks loved your video
This was awesome!!! As a newby I would LOVE more side by side comparisons of techniques JUST like this!! Simple black & white, side by side, to showcase actual techniques! What a way to learn! I just totally understood this one without getting sidetracked by design or color or someone else’s end goal on a project. This is teaching us how to cook, not just follow a recipe. 👍 Thank you Rhonda!
@RK3Designs
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!! I’ll put more of these types of videos in the lineup!! Thanks for watching!!!
The Everclear also goes well with fresh lemonade and strawberrys
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely, one of the benefits 😂😂
I like 70% and ever clear
Thanks for the experiment Rhonda. My new fav is the everclear.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome! 🙂
Definitely love the Everclear fracturing!
Nothing like a good excuse to get Everclear 🤣🤣🤣. Thanks for the great substitute options! 💜💜💜💜💜
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
😂😂 You’re more than welcome!!
As for the acetone. It has a very fast evaporation rate. That's why it doesn't do well after the paint has set for a while. It doesn't sit "wet" on the surface for a long enough time to make the paint soften and move. It flashes off quickly.
Thank you Rhonda, I REALLY like the Everclear...
Thank you Rhonda. My favorite would be Everclear.
Everclear hands down!
Thanks Rhonda! I needed that info.😁
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You are very welcome!! ❤️
Thank you so much for doing this!! I have been wanting to see something like this
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You are more than welcome!!! Glad I could help. 😊
Love that you did this vid Rhonda! So cool to see options and their effects! Learning all I can, so thank you!
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You’re most welcome!! Thanks for watching!! 😊
Loved the Everclear fracturing. Thank you for the experiment!
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
❤️. Thanks for watching!!
Helpful video!
Everclear for the win!
Each of these might have a place in a project, I like the softness of the 70%. I really love the look of the Everclear. Thanks for sharing this.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You bet!! I totally agree!! Thanks for watching!
Ever clear turned out the prettiest. Thanks for doing this!
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You bet! Thanks!
Wow! I like them all but I gotta say the ever learning is prob my fave!!!
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Me too!! ❤️
You're awesome for this. I just needed a little spot done and only had 70% but I do have plenty of acetone! Now I can finish.
And thank you for this demo
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You’re more than welcome!!! 😊
Thanks for the comparison, I like the 70% and the everclear.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
That seem to be everyone’s favorite. Thanks for watching!!! 😊😊
Great video!
@RK3Designs
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!
I love this type of instructional video!!! Ever clear is my pick!
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Cool. I’ll plan more. What would you like to see? ❤️
@JenniferSmith-zb8tp
3 жыл бұрын
I like these side by side comparisons. Maybe trials of different colors/types of spray paint for fracturing, or vein with spray paint vs vein with colored epoxy, or 🤷♀️.
I really like this video and would love to see more like this and yes the everclear is the best but it also show us what the difference patterns the 70%, 99%, acetone and everclear
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!! I’ll try to get more like this out!!
Very cool experiment!! ❤ Nice to see the comparison! 👏👏
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! It was fun!
@Kreative_Rainbow
3 жыл бұрын
@@RK3Designs I bet!! You're welcome! 💙 Great science in action! 👏👏
Everclear looks great..😍
@RK3Designs
Жыл бұрын
It was! LOL!!
I love the ever clear
The 99% refracture looked really awesome close to the camera. Like creepy spider webs, with depth tho
@GaryYoung-eq1ph
Жыл бұрын
Lilly pads is better than elephant skin. 99 best.
Great test! I’ll try the everclear
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Have fun!!
mine too. 70% and everclear
Everclear for me Thanks for doing this
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You bet. Thanks for watching.
Wow!, I like the everclear.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Me too!! Thanks for your feedback!!
As mentioned elsewhere, would appreciate seeing them fully dry a day later. I think I'm going to try and combine two of your techniques to make a sink countertop: water bubbles around the sink area and fractured out in the open counter area! sounds fun. With some luck, maybe I can fade out the misting for the fracture gradually to create a smooth transition to the water bubbles area! But I like how both involve the spray paint which I can do in layers of colors, and then just mist the open area for the transition!
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
That sounds amazing. Would love to see the project when your done. You can also see additional photos of the projects on my website www.rk3designs.com/tutorial-supplies
This video inspired me to try this technique on a wine glass! I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and yesterday I shot a video of my attempt! I have some more experimenting to do, it I am overall happy with how they turned out. Would it be ok to tag you in my video, with credit, and link to this video?
I really love the effects of the Everclear!❣️ However, currently, here in Florida, 91% alcohol is readily available at Walmart. I’ve bought it frequently.
I would try the Acetone and the 99% Alcohol earlier in the time frame. They both flash off quite fast. 99% is too expensive, as I think it also comes with a hazardous shipping fee attached, if there isn't a local place that has it. If Acetone works better earlier, then that is great :)
The original Everclear is my favorite. I like the pattern it looks like flowers and it looks like marble. I'm not a pattern consistency person so Everclear gets my vote
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the feedback!! 😊😊😊
Thank you for this, very interesting. I’m from Australia, so bear with me. Did the Acetone section actually cure properly? Because you can use acetone to clean epoxy off your tools (prior to setting), and it removes nail varnish, so I’m curious about the end result. Your Everclear - is that moonshine (joking) - doubt we’d have access to anything like that here. Our Big Box stores sell Diggers which is 100% Isopropanol (for those who live in OZ). Thanks, love your videos Rhonda :)
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Yes as long as you use very little you’ll be fine. 😊
@dekalbtxx
3 жыл бұрын
Very nice Rhonda you put on a show!
Everclear, definitely
Have you ever tried to just fracture the veins on a piece and keep the rest of it smooth?
Everclear!
My concern is how each may affect the setting process of the epoxy. When I asked stonecoat directly about using other products for the fracturing, they responded that in their tests, other products had made the epoxy have a soft set up. Like it would stay rubbery or sticky and not harden all the way. Did you notice that in any areas of your tests?
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
That’s a great question. When adding any product to get the fracture effect, I add VERY little. I’ve personally had no issues with it causing the epoxy to be soft. If there was however, once the flood coat is poured any softness would be taken care of. 😊
I liked the 99 with the large fracture..wonder if you couldn't then switch to everclear for a 2nd fracture.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
That’s an idea!! I’ll have to try it!! 😊😊
Great, I use 70%,and I ordered everclear. My problem is that I can't do that nice fracture with alcohol, the cells are always closing, or as you said if I leave the resin to set , it doesn't do anything. My resin has 20 minutes working time. How long is the working time of your epoxy? Do you warm the resin in a 'hot water bath before use? I do, otherwise is too thick to mix, and has lots of bubbles. I want to try your resin. Do you sell in the UK? Thank you, you are so lovely 🤗❤️
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
I use Stonecoat Countertop epoxy so I have at least an hour open time. I don’t believe they ship to the UK. 😢
@jeanettewilhelm8464
3 жыл бұрын
@@RK3Designs thank you 😢
Where do you purchase the acetone, please?
What was your base piece made of?
At the hardware store, in the section with paint thinner you can find acetone and ethanol ( non drinkable everclear) should be between 92 and 98% ethanol. This type of ethanol is not meant for consumption, therefore it doesn't have such high taxes and should be cheaper than everclear.
@RK3Designs
2 жыл бұрын
I didn’t know that!!! Thanks so much for sharing!! I really appreciate it! 😊😊
@tlrmd4you
Жыл бұрын
Does it work well?
Eveclear is better than everyone else, and at the end of your work you can celebrate how well it is
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome right!! 😂😂😂
Everclear isn't always 190 proof. Depends on state laws. In Michigan, we had a liquor license and it is illegal to sell over 151 proof. The distributors don't even carry it for us to buy. My old business utilized things like 190 proof Everclear and I had to pick it up when I visited family in other states.
i keep getting deep fisheye and cratering using iso, it dips in the places the biggest drops land, anyone know why that is?
I love the Alcohol 99%! 👏🖼What is Ever Clear? Im from Chile so here I dont know that product..🤔
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
It’s a alcohol for mixed drinks.
@pkotesky
3 жыл бұрын
@@RK3Designs Thank you Rhonda, so everclear is a trade mark? I'm going to google! 🤩👏
#1- Everclear, #2 - 70% alcohol
Makes me wonder how Vodka would do. I may have to do some of my own comparisons.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Please share your finding!! And if you don’t like it, you can always add a little cranberry juice 😂😂.
@ReginaBarnett
3 жыл бұрын
@@RK3Designs brilliant idea!! Lol
What happens if you use 2 different spray paints? Ie dark green first time and then go back with black? And how did they all cure, especially with a clear resin top coat?
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
You can definitely use two different colors of spray paint. I do that often. Really pretty when you spray them both at same time. They cured really nicely. If you let the epoxy set for a bit before you fracture and don't use a lot of alcohol, it won't move too much. 🙂
Is %50 rubbing alcohol will work?
Have you ever tried denatured alcohol? It's also pretty readily available.
@RK3Designs
2 жыл бұрын
Yes but the water content is too high. I just haven’t had very good luck with it.
@kenneagle8989
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks
If you were keeping this piece would you put a clear coat on top?
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
This was really just a sample board but if I did this effect on a countertop, I would definitely but a clear flood coat. 😊
Do you know of a way to dilute the 99.1% alcohol? I have 4 gallons of it. Watching all your video. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
I’m not sure exactly what you would want to cut it with. Good question, I’ll do some research.
@cynthiadee7414
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I was going to try water. Just a little.
Everclear
Is Everclear similar to denatured alcohol?
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve really not had much luck with denatured alcohol. It reacts more like isopropyl alcohol.
@raichutoyou
3 жыл бұрын
@@RK3Designs Ok thanks! 🙂
I wonder how “perfumers” alcohol would react?
Which Everclear % did you use? 60%, 75%...?
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
190 proof.
Hello everyone what is Everclear exactly when I searched for it I got completely something else Many thanks 🙏
@RK3Designs
2 жыл бұрын
Ever clear is an alcohol you make drinks out of. You can purchase at any liquor store.
what happens when you torch them? aren’t a few of them flammable?
@RK3Designs
2 жыл бұрын
Yes. It’s very important that you are familiar with the products you use. I don’t torch until in know the alcohol had evaporated.
Mmm good video, i'm using 99% isopropyl, in Argentina seems not have 91% or 70%, yo can find 99% for computer cleaning or PCB soldering cleaning. Don't know why is not refracturing your sample I tryed with 3 layers of spray and alcohol one up of another one and all three refractured very well, and refracturing the same paint layer in multiple times stamps also works well for me. I hear from you in many vids about everclear, now i decided to search in google what is everclear and hell yeah there is that cereal made alcohol here and also more cheap i mean, waaaay more cheap. There is some advice about if any brand works well of this alcohols? i mean the everclear type of alcohol? becuase of course here is not that brand but yes there is some called tri-destiled and food grade with no brand.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
I’m not sure what brand I used. I threw away the bottle, but it was 190 proof. 😊
@eduardoslabecki6172
3 жыл бұрын
@@RK3Designs Okay thats is 95% alcohol per volume from my search. Will try it soon sure as it is cheap here.
I got 91% on Amazon recently
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
Hopefully it will be more easily accessible soon. 😊
@ReginaBarnett
3 жыл бұрын
I found some at a local dollar store but paid almost 3 bucks for 16 ozs
@GaryYoung-eq1ph
Жыл бұрын
99% has more flower effect, like Lilly pads!
Why didn’t ya try Denatured Alcohol
@karencole2454
3 жыл бұрын
With another product they don't torch but use denatured alcohol to get rid of the bubbles. The only problem with that is all I'm seeing in denatured alcohol has fuel on it is I'm thinking that won't work.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve used denatured alcohol on a few of my finishes and it really didn’t do very well at all. I wish I would have tested it on this video, but didn’t have any on hand. 😩
@DeA2875
3 жыл бұрын
@@karencole2454 it works. I use it for effects.
denatured alcohal
99% alcohol at HD or Lowes?? Like the flower effect.
@GaryYoung-eq1ph
Жыл бұрын
Lilly pads
What about stove alcohol, which is ethanol with something that causes it to taste horrible. It is cheap and no age restriction.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve never heard of that 🤔
I got Everclear and did an experiment today. It was an expensive one, because It still doesn't work for me. I have no idea anymore what I do wrong, maybe the resin gods hate me. If anyone have a helpful advice, please help me 😭😭😭
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
I’m so sorry!! Send me a video of you doing your fracturing and let me see if I can help you! Rk3designs@gmail.com
勉強になります!!(*'▽')
Interesting. I wonder if denatured alcohol would give similar results to the Everclear (ethanol) without the price.
@RK3Designs
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve tried DA and didn’t have much luck.
@ericrandall3539
3 жыл бұрын
@@RK3Designs Maybe needs 5% water like Everclear? It's technically 95% ethanol. That would be my last ditch test before giving up on it. It is just SO much cheaper, would be an awesome alternative if you got similar results!
Nail supply store carries 90% alcohol
🤔
What % ever clear?
Everclear