Steve,

Your problem is not reagent grade alcohol.I have used reagent grade alcohol
in many of the hospitals that I have worked and it worked fine. It maybe in
the three 100% alcohols in your program. This many alcohols will take the
bond water out off the tissue causing problems, such as,  dry, burnt
looking tissue. Try cutting down to two 100% alcohols and adding a 95%
alcohol in its place.

Hope this helps.

Mari Ann Mailhiot BA HT.
Applications Specialist
Technical Assistance Center
Leica Microsystems