The right amount of alcohol for dextrine stars

[dangerousamateur]

When i made my last batch of stars a few years ago i made a 75 percent water and 25 percent alcohol mixture.

That seems to be a standard.

 

However, some stars contain stuff like redgum, and that 25percent alcohol still makes things sticky.

I also read somewhere that it also affects the dextrine.

 

 

May I ask what your prefered amount of alcohol is for the best working comfort?

Edited November 27, 2021 by dangerousamateur

[redbullzuiper]

If you have phenolic resin at hand, replace the red gum with it and omit the dextrin and bind with just alcohol.

 

If thats not a option then go for 90 water 10 alcohol if you have any alcohol dissolving component in it, or just straight water.

For charcoal stars I like to use atleast 20% alcohol so the stars won't become rasberry's when rolling.

Do you roll, pump or cut your stars?

[Carbon796]

O% alcohol for water bound stars is my preference.

 

The use of alcohol in water bound stars. Came about because it reduces dextrin's tact. Which is desirable when rolling small cores. Which have a tendency to clump badly because of their lighter mass. As the star size builds up the alcohol percentage is reduced / omitted.

[Arthur]

Dextrin reacts with water, so really you don't need alcohol, but it may help the stars dry better/quicker. Red gum reacts with alcohol (as does shellac) and needs no water. Using acetone as a solvent means working quickly but a lump of a parlon bound comp can be cut to size easily and dried in maybe 15 minutes for testing.

 

IF the mix uses several fuels/binders then more than one solvent may be needed.

 

As ever trials are needed to be sure that the ingredients and method combine to make the intended product.

[stix]

Yes.

[dangerousamateur]

I wrote redgum because i thought about stars like the spanish or veline colors.

 

When working with dextrine, i do not think it is the idea to activate the redgum simultaneously or am i wrong?

 

 

Otherwise: glitters, diadem, charcoal stuff..

[Mumbles]

A little splash of alcohol can help to reduce surface tension and help the water wet the composition a little better. Other than that, I don't really use any. This can be useful for high charcoal compositions like streamers or glitters or comps with high flake aluminum content that can be a little stubborn to wet right away. Some people use alcohol, and even occasionally quite a bit, but I've never seen much need or benefit.

[Richtee]

2 shots of bourbon.

[MadMat]

I have read that too much alcohol (over 20%) can inhibit the binding ability of dextrin. I have also heard some people say that isn't true. Either way I always add approx 10-15% alcohol to my water to, as Mumbles already stated, reduce the surface tension of the water and help it "wet" the compound easier.