I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to
use. But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz to
use in a spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it is
a skin irritant! WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin
irritant!? Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what the
hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? I'm assuming
that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. How about
isopropyl? Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't work?

Thanks,
Bob

On 5/24/2010 1:04 PM, Bob Engelhardt wrote:
I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to
use. But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz to
use in a spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it is a
skin irritant! WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin irritant!?
Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what the hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? I'm assuming
that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. How about
isopropyl? Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't work?

Sounds even worse than H2O:
"Skin Contact:
May cause irritation with redness and pain.
May be absorbed through the skin with possible systemic effects."

http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/i8840.htm



--Winston

"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to use.
But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz to use in a
spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it is a
skin irritant! WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin irritant!?
Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what the hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? I'm assuming
that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. How about isopropyl?
Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't work?

Thanks,
Bob

Everclear 190 Proof (95% drinkable ethanol, 5% water) is available in some
states. I've bought it in NJ. Here's a list of states:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_(alcohol)

--
Ed Huntress

On May 24, 2:04*pm, Bob Engelhardt wrote:
I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to
use. *But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz to
use in a spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. *I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it is
* a skin irritant! *WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin
irritant!? *Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what the
hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? *I'm assuming
that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. *How about
isopropyl? *Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't work?

Thanks,
Bob

Lots of ways to denature ethanol, since you're not going to drink it,
trot off to the local drug store and get a pint of "rubbing alcohol".
NOT isopropanol, rubbing alcohol. You'll find that it's got ethanol
in it along with dye, scent and skin conditioners, will say what on
the label. And yes, if you put neat 200 proof on your hide, you'll
get a skin burn and a buzz if you leave it there long enough. It does
suck the water out of the cells, you know. Tends to evaporate,
though, you'd really, really have to want to keep the hide wet.

Stan

On Mon, 24 May 2010 16:04:17 -0400, Bob Engelhardt
wrote:

I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to
use. But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz to
use in a spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it is
a skin irritant! WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin
irritant!? Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what the
hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? I'm assuming
that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. How about
isopropyl? Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't work?

Thanks,
Bob

Has the same solvent as do most aftershaves and stink waters.

Id not worry too much about it.

Gunner

--


"First Law of Leftist Debate
The more you present a leftist with factual evidence
that is counter to his preconceived world view and the
more difficult it becomes for him to refute it without
losing face the chance of him calling you a racist, bigot,
homophobe approaches infinity.

This is despite the thread you are in having not mentioned
race or sexual preference in any way that is relevant to
the subject." Grey Ghost

Ed Huntress wrote:
Everclear 190 Proof (95% drinkable ethanol, 5% water) is available in some
states. I've bought it in NJ. Here's a list of states:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_(alcohol)


And you can drink what's left! Too bad, not in Massachusetts (state
motto: "We Know What's Good for You").

Thanks,
Bob

wrote:
Lots of ways to denature ethanol, since you're not going to drink it,
trot off to the local drug store and get a pint of "rubbing alcohol".
NOT isopropanol, rubbing alcohol. ...

Great - unlikely to have any surprises, in the
stuff-you-shouldn't-put-on-your-skin category.


And yes, if you put neat 200 proof on your hide, you'll
get a skin burn and a buzz if you leave it there long enough. It does
suck the water out of the cells, you know. ...

Actually, I didn't know the sucking the water out part.

Thanks,
Bob

"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
Ed Huntress wrote:
Everclear 190 Proof (95% drinkable ethanol, 5% water) is available in
some states. I've bought it in NJ. Here's a list of states:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_(alcohol)


And you can drink what's left!

It makes a really sneaky punch, especially good for high-school graduation
parties. d8-)

Too bad, not in Massachusetts (state motto: "We Know What's Good for
You").

In this case, it's hard to blame them. It's killed a few people. But then
again, so have baseball bats.

--
Ed Huntress

"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to use.
But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz to use in
a spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it is a
skin irritant! WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin irritant!?
Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what the hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? I'm assuming
that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. How about isopropyl?
Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't work?


Why do you want to dilute it? The trials I have seen showed that nothing is
as effective as the 100% variety. In fact I like to bring it from the States
as it is not available he There were some problems when it got rubbed on
babies and such.

--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC

What's that Lassie? You say that Michael Koblic fell down the old
rec.crafts.metalworking mine and will die if we don't mount a rescue
by Mon, 24 May 2010 17:43:48 -0700:

DEET
Why do you want to dilute it? The trials I have seen showed that nothing is
as effective as the 100% variety. In fact I like to bring it from the States
as it is not available he There were some problems when it got rubbed on
babies and such.

I found that the 100% stuff gives me headaches. I think I might be
getting it on my lips when I apply it to my face.

But I do like the small container that it comes/came in. Good to take
with you on a hike if your not sure if you will need it or not.

--

Dan H.
northshore MA.

On Mon, 24 May 2010 17:43:48 -0700, "Michael Koblic"
wrote:


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to use.
But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz to use in
a spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it is a
skin irritant! WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin irritant!?
Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what the hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? I'm assuming
that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. How about isopropyl?
Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't work?


Why do you want to dilute it? The trials I have seen showed that nothing is
as effective as the 100% variety. In fact I like to bring it from the States
as it is not available he There were some problems when it got rubbed on
babies and such.

Trials I've seen indicate that there's no difference in effectiveness
between about 25% and 100%. The higher percentage repellents remain
effective longer before re-application is necessary.

Michael Koblic wrote:
Why do you want to dilute it? The trials I have seen showed that nothing
is as effective as the 100% variety. In fact I like to bring it from the
States as it is not available he There were some problems when it got
rubbed on babies and such.


As Don said, I understood that 100% wasn't any better than 30%. But
even if it is (say it lasts longer), the 30% does all that I want it to
& I can get a lot more use from 2 oz of 100% diluted to 6-7 oz of 30%.
Also, I don't like the way 100% feels on my skin, and I can't put it on
my clothes (the 30% is spray-able).

Bob

Don Foreman wrote in
news
On Mon, 24 May 2010 17:43:48 -0700, "Michael Koblic"
wrote:


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to
use. But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz
to use in a spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it
is a skin irritant! WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin
irritant!? Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what
the hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? I'm
assuming that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. How
about isopropyl? Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't
work?


Why do you want to dilute it? The trials I have seen showed that
nothing is as effective as the 100% variety. In fact I like to bring
it from the States as it is not available he There were some
problems when it got rubbed on babies and such.

Trials I've seen indicate that there's no difference in effectiveness
between about 25% and 100%. The higher percentage repellents remain
effective longer before re-application is necessary.


Personal experience: 25% DEET doesn't repel Texas Gulf Coast 'Skeeters
but 100% does.

The tiny gnats that Minnesotans call 'skeeters can easily be kept at bay
by used Bounce dryer sheets. grin

wrote:
...
trot off to the local drug store and get a pint of "rubbing alcohol".
NOT isopropanol, rubbing alcohol. ...

Did that, although I had to be careful, cause the iso is called "rubbing
alcohol" also. But I did get the ethyl stuff, diluted my 100% DEET &
I'm all set. And I have 12 oz or so left, to rub with, or something.

Thanks again,
Bob

"Don Foreman" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 24 May 2010 17:43:48 -0700, "Michael Koblic"
wrote:


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
I have a couple of 1 oz bottles of 100% DEET, which I'm not going to
use.
But I thought I could just dilute it to 30% and have 6 or so oz to use
in
a spray bottle.

I looked up the MSDS for the 30% variety & found the solvent to be
ethanol. I went on & looked up the MSDS for ethanol & found that it is
a
skin irritant! WTF - a solvent for repellent that is a skin irritant!?
Well, that's crazy, but it's never bothered me, so what the hell.

Now, as far as the ethanol to use: is it even available? I'm assuming
that denatured is out because of the methanol in it. How about
isopropyl?
Is it such a different animal that it wouldn't work?


Why do you want to dilute it? The trials I have seen showed that nothing
is
as effective as the 100% variety. In fact I like to bring it from the
States
as it is not available he There were some problems when it got rubbed
on
babies and such.

Trials I've seen indicate that there's no difference in effectiveness
between about 25% and 100%. The higher percentage repellents remain
effective longer before re-application is necessary.

Precisely.