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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: The Seven Bays Window Cleaning Company on February 01, 2008, 06:34:41 am

Title: Isopropanol
Post by: The Seven Bays Window Cleaning Company on February 01, 2008, 06:34:41 am
I've been looking into the fact that Isopropanol breaks up surface tension of water.


I know some folks on here use it to stop there water from freeeeeezing.

But, doe's this reduction in water surface tension have any real benefits on cleaning windows?

I have experimented with 5 ml of IPA in 25liters of pure water.

Used it on both Hydrophilic, and phobic glass, and to be honest I can say I noticed any significant difference in the wetting out, or flow of water - except for water having small bubbles when it hits the glass.

I tried to convince myself it was having better wetting out on hydrophilic glass, but wasn't convinced.

I've just probably answered my own question, but just wondered if anyone has any other results?

 :)
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 01, 2008, 12:59:51 pm
where can you buy isopropanol from other than online . is there any shops that stock it .
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: trevor perry on February 01, 2008, 01:31:18 pm
 i to am just experimenting with using it and am finding it seems to move the dirt easier on first cleans and long interval cleans whether this is just the bubble effect of the water or whether it actually does clean better i dont know yet but will know better when we get some proper sunny days and i can watch the water drying out on the glass.
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: The Seven Bays Window Cleaning Company on February 01, 2008, 02:02:00 pm
I got mine off Fleabay...
 ;D
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 02, 2008, 08:37:12 pm
i got some today from maplins electrical .
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: NWH on February 02, 2008, 08:46:38 pm
It does work,and leaves them cleaner betweeen cleans.I`ve been using it for about 4 months cold or not.
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 02, 2008, 08:52:45 pm
nwh what amouts do you use say per 25 ltr of pure water .
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: NWH on February 02, 2008, 08:56:50 pm
I take it your using a trolley,i use a full whiskey glass in 5ooltrs and as i`ve said before you don`t have to keep adding it as it stays in the water when you top up.I find i have to add again when there are no more bubbles left on the glass,about every 2500 ltrs of water.I would fill the glass iuse and spread it over your barrels,maybe a cough mixture cap per barrel.
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 02, 2008, 09:29:15 pm
no nwh i dont use a trolley i just put 25 ltrs of pure to find out a guideline for the amount i needed . cheers mate at least i now have a idea of the amount . ;)
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: windowwashers on February 02, 2008, 10:03:02 pm
I take it your using a trolley,i use a full whiskey glass in 5ooltrs and as i`ve said before you don`t have to keep adding it as it stays in the water when you top up.I find i have to add again when there are no more bubbles left on the glass,about every 2500 ltrs of water.I would fill the glass iuse and spread it over your barrels,maybe a cough mixture cap per barrel.
does it raise your tds reading at all? also do you put this in before you fill ?

your ever question asking
Ian  :P
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: NWH on February 02, 2008, 10:29:44 pm
Iso is pure,i beleive it does come in 2 ratings 1 being 70% pure and the other 100% pure.I`ve metered mine and it`s 000ppm.
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: windowwashers on February 02, 2008, 10:47:56 pm
Iso is pure,i beleive it does come in 2 ratings 1 being 70% pure and the other 100% pure.I`ve metered mine and it`s 000ppm.
good stuff where do i get it from ?????
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: paulscotney on February 02, 2008, 10:51:04 pm
Been using for the last 2 weeks,  a 90% plus version from ebay. Not sure if it makes a difference or not. Defineately doesn't make a diff to the tds reading though. Probably won't bother when used up what I have.
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: trevor perry on February 03, 2008, 09:23:49 am
 i got mine of ebay and although i am still experimenting i do believe it works better than pure water alone , i put it in my 650ltr tank before filling and use about half a small cup full.
 i have found that with high windows where i rinse brush on the results are brilliant so am now rinsing brush on on all my windows, the results look great but will know better when we get some nice sunny days and any marks show up more, ps the tds stays at 000
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: GMG on February 03, 2008, 09:48:36 am
Same here i,m experimenting did my house yesterday i dont do my house that often about every 3 months on average (when the wife is nagging to get them done) ,any way last time i did them
they had little drips prob coming from the seals this time nothing so i dont know, i bought 5 litres 90%+ off ebay  will start using it tomorrow ,£18 pound a go its got to show its alot better or after this i want buy any more
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: The Seven Bays Window Cleaning Company on February 03, 2008, 10:43:00 am
Yeh, that's what I think.

It has to significant improvements in cleaning to justify the cost.
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: Ian_Giles on February 03, 2008, 10:50:29 am
I've heard of using this stuff before, but my only use for it would be to stop the water freezing in very cold weather, either from the water jets in the brush, or on the floor and so on.
Does anyone know how effective it is in that regard?
Or how much per 1000 litres you would have to use for it to have an appreciable effect??

Ian
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: frames to panes on February 03, 2008, 11:02:17 am
As a wetting agent we used around 10% in the print trade with water cooled to nine degrees.
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 03, 2008, 12:05:51 pm


Quote
good stuff where do i get it from ?????
you can get it from maplins ian cost £10.99 for a litre . cheaper on e-bay but it all depends how soon you want some . its not effected my tds still 000ppm will be giving my windows a clean later if the wind drops so will let you no the outcome .  :)
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 03, 2008, 05:01:09 pm
must say ive tryed this today and outcome was ok shine on the glass was great and if all my customers turn out the same they will be happy and so will i  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: NWH on February 03, 2008, 09:03:00 pm
I've heard of using this stuff before, but my only use for it would be to stop the water freezing in very cold weather, either from the water jets in the brush, or on the floor and so on.
Does anyone know how effective it is in that regard?
Or how much per 1000 litres you would have to use for it to have an appreciable effect??

Ian
1 whiskey glass full in a 1000ltr tank would be fine,if you don`t run completley out of water you might not need to add any for say 2500ltrs as it stays in the tank and mixes with the new water.
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner on February 04, 2008, 06:46:39 am



NWH, and members,I`ve heard and read it can cause possible damage to
Window seals and mouldings.Does anyone know if it`s true and has it actually
Happened to anyone.?

Lewis Doubtfire Gleem Clean ( The Blade Runner )
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: frames to panes on February 04, 2008, 08:21:09 am
I have thought what wouldn't like it, and thats the tape they put round sealed units or anything involving glue of any kind.(it's a solvent base).  :o
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 04, 2008, 08:53:42 am
L.doubtfire i dont think it will damage the rubber seals . only time will tell if this is the case . ive read on other forums that it dont perhaps nwh will have a better idea as hes been using it some time .
Title: Re: Isopropanol
Post by: Nathanael Jones on February 12, 2008, 08:39:48 am



NWH, and members,I`ve heard and read it can cause possible damage to
Window seals and mouldings.Does anyone know if it`s true and has it actually
Happened to anyone.?

Lewis Doubtfire Gleem Clean ( The Blade Runner )


On that note,.. does it damage the seals in the pump???