Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Pj on March 04, 2008, 09:03:40 pm

Title: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: Pj on March 04, 2008, 09:03:40 pm
I've heard a few using some of this in their tank.

What are the benefits?

What are the drawbacks?  Strong solvent/alcohol base passing through plastic pipes etc onto plastic.

Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 09:04:58 pm
Been using it in every fill for 6-7 months,stops everything freezing and in my opinion cleans better.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: brightnclean on March 04, 2008, 09:14:12 pm
Sounds good to me.

What dillution do you use it at NWH?
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 04, 2008, 09:15:14 pm
Very interesting, gotta keep this in mind for when I start.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 09:21:00 pm
5oo ltrs of water=1 whisky glass full of it,top up on top of water that`s already in the tank and it will last you for about 2000ltrs.When it`s gone there will be no more bubbles on the glass,it bubbles on the glass for a split second and then evaporates,the TDS of it is 000ppm.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: Pj on March 04, 2008, 09:22:30 pm
So, where did you get the idea from NWH, if you don't mind me asking?

Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: Captain Scarlet on March 04, 2008, 09:26:43 pm
Other people on the forum, but its a logical conclusion really. Raise the freezing point by using a pure alcohol, Luke
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: trevor perry on March 04, 2008, 09:28:28 pm
i have been using it for a couple of months and think it cleans better it also seems to make the water sheet better to.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 09:30:20 pm
Originally i used it because of the cold weather,after using it for a couple of weeks i noticed that the window`s where coming up better,the problem window`s i mean.I did a job a couple of weeks ago that when i did last time it was cold but not as cold as this time,the last time even though not as cold my Y pieces froze solid and i had to keep blowing the ice out of them,this time it was colder and i had no problems of freezing at all.The reason why i now use it all the time is simply cos of the results,try it and tell me i was right lol.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 09:34:03 pm
i have been using it for a couple of months and think it cleans better it also seems to make the water sheet better to.
Correct Trevor it`s a wetting agent and after a few cleans it starts to make phobic glass sheet,it has alcohol in it and that over time breaks down any grease or film that is on the glass,that`s what makes window`s bead.If it didn`t work i wouldn`t continue to put it in my tank i can tell you.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: Captain Scarlet on March 04, 2008, 09:35:49 pm
The freezing point of it is -89 °C, Luke
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on March 04, 2008, 09:40:29 pm
me and marcus went and got some from a local printers during that real cold snap a couple of weeks ago(cadged a litre for free,bloke i used to work with) and we both came to same conclusions,it does seem to make the water sheet better and it SEEMED to clean better as well,as for damaging pipes....doubt that very much,its used in fount solutions on printing presses at much higher dilutions than we were using(we based it on nwh's "whisky glass" in 500 ltrs) and it does them no harm.Its all gone now but if i can source it cheap enough in bulk i will defo use it again ;D
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 09:40:59 pm
It`s as good as hot water in the sense that you can keep working in the cold weather,like i say that job i did before without it everything froze on me, next time the same job even colder and nothing froze only my nose lol.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: Captain Scarlet on March 04, 2008, 09:41:14 pm
One thing I am a little confused about is what happens to the isopropanol when it goes through a di vessel in water? I know it is 0 tds but that doesnt mean that it isnt removed because the tds readers only measure parts per million so whos to say the di vessels arent removing parts per billion? Just a bit unsure about this one??? Luke
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 04, 2008, 09:45:01 pm
One thing I am a little confused about is what happens to the isopropanol when it goes through a di vessel in water? I know it is 0 tds but that doesnt mean that it isnt removed because the tds readers only measure parts per million so whos to say the di vessels arent removing parts per billion? Just a bit unsure about this one??? Luke

It doesn't have any disolved solids, so the DI's got nothing to remove? And even a whisky glass in 500l wouldn't get you parts per billion if could measure it.

NWH, I have no idea how much a whisky glass is. How much ml. is that?  :)
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: frames to panes on March 04, 2008, 09:46:12 pm
me and marcus went and got some from a local printers during that real cold snap a couple of weeks ago(cadged a litre for free,bloke i used to work with) and we both came to same conclusions,it does seem to make the water sheet better and it SEEMED to clean better as well,as for damaging pipes....doubt that very much,its used in fount solutions on printing presses at much higher dilutions than we were using(we based it on nwh's "whisky glass" in 500 ltrs) and it does them no harm.Its all gone now but if i can source it cheap enough in bulk i will defo use it again ;D
Around ten percent in the print trade. A whiskey glass to 600lt is a pifflingly small amount in percentage terms.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 09:46:51 pm
One thing I am a little confused about is what happens to the isopropanol when it goes through a di vessel in water? I know it is 0 tds but that doesnt mean that it isnt removed because the tds readers only measure parts per million so whos to say the di vessels arent removing parts per billion? Just a bit unsure about this one??? Luke
Don`t forget the resin we use is a by product of resin that is used to get readings down to parts per billion,in effect we are using the waste product to produce water at 000 parts per million good enough to clean window`s though,if you`ve got 000ppm at the hosereel all is good.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on March 04, 2008, 09:50:06 pm
me and marcus went and got some from a local printers during that real cold snap a couple of weeks ago(cadged a litre for free,bloke i used to work with) and we both came to same conclusions,it does seem to make the water sheet better and it SEEMED to clean better as well,as for damaging pipes....doubt that very much,its used in fount solutions on printing presses at much higher dilutions than we were using(we based it on nwh's "whisky glass" in 500 ltrs) and it does them no harm.Its all gone now but if i can source it cheap enough in bulk i will defo use it again ;D
Around ten percent in the print trade. A whiskey glass to 600lt is a pifflingly small amount in percentage terms.
exactly ;D we guessed at 250ml to 500ltrs which is 0.05% i think ???
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: tompoole on March 04, 2008, 09:53:07 pm
reduces surface tension of the water . its used in the print as a wetting agent to help even water coverage on a printing plate. will eventually make any plastic brittle and crack
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on March 04, 2008, 09:57:12 pm
reduces surface tension of the water . its used in the print as a wetting agent to help even water coverage on a printing plate. will eventually make any plastic brittle and crack
not at these sort of dilutions it wont....neat yes
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: d s windowcleaning on March 04, 2008, 09:59:59 pm
its great stuff i took the word of nwh and tryed it and well pleased i did . the shine on the glass is imo better than just pure water if you aint tryed it give it ago you cant go wrong with it ,cheers nwh for previous info  ;D
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:00:30 pm
At the dilusion i use it at the water hardly knows it has it in it,and the same goes for the resin  my reading has been at 000 for over 6 mths +.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:02:01 pm
its great stuff i took the word of nwh and tryed it and well pleased i did . the shine on the glass is imo better than just pure water if you aint tryed it give it ago you cant go wrong with it ,cheers nwh for previous info  ;D
Good on ya Dave,you can`t beleive it can you the window`s do look cleaner.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 04, 2008, 10:07:53 pm
So, have we found the magic solution for wfp here? :)
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:09:15 pm
I can tell you what it cleans better with it in the water and it`s a lot cheaper than a hot system.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: d s windowcleaning on March 04, 2008, 10:12:38 pm
its great stuff i took the word of nwh and tryed it and well pleased i did . the shine on the glass is imo better than just pure water if you aint tryed it give it ago you cant go wrong with it ,cheers nwh for previous info  ;D
Good on ya Dave,you can`t beleive it can you the window`s do look cleaner.
I can tell you what it cleans better with it in the water and it`s a lot cheaper than a hot system.
true its great stuff cheers nwh  :)
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 04, 2008, 10:13:17 pm
So 250ml to 500ltrs is sort of the right dilution? :)
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:14:38 pm
500 ltr tank = 1/2 pint of iso.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: Pj on March 04, 2008, 10:15:35 pm
I thought you had a hot water system NWH?
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:16:40 pm
Don`t forget you don`t have to add it everytime you fill up with water,wait untill you have no more bubbles on the glass it should last about1500-2000 ltrs.Also don`t run the tank dry with it in and it will last longer.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on March 04, 2008, 10:17:20 pm
So, have we found the magic solution for wfp here? :)
it did seem to give a higher shine and i thought it soaked bird crap quicker,one thing it DEFINITLEY stops everything freezing,on the day we got some both of us were froze up (it was minus 4 at 10 in the morn) brush was solid pole hose solid ,i thawed them in shed got the iso ,added some to a barrel and went back out,worked a treat,brush stayed soft,pipes all fine  ;)
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:17:48 pm
I thought you had a hot water system NWH?

To be honest with this stuff i don`t think i need one.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:18:45 pm
So, have we found the magic solution for wfp here? :)
it did seem to give a higher shine and i thought it soaked bird crap quicker,one thing it DEFINITLEY stops everything freezing,on the day we got some both of us were froze up (it was minus 4 at 10 in the morn) brush was solid pole hose solid ,i thawed them in shed got the iso ,added some to a barrel and went back out,worked a treat,brush stayed soft,pipes all fine  ;)
And no worries of cracking any glass.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on March 04, 2008, 10:19:50 pm
500 ltr tank = 1/2 pint of iso.
half pint = 285ml so my guess at 250ml was not far off then :)...result ;D
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 04, 2008, 10:25:42 pm
Nice, thanks L.J. Don't have to get the calc out now. :)
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: Pj on March 04, 2008, 10:26:23 pm
What about long term use?
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:27:03 pm
What about long term use?
Who cares it works lol. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on March 04, 2008, 10:31:12 pm
What about long term use?
as i said before at these kind of dilutions (0.05%) i cant see any ,its not that nasty even when its neat just dont go lamping a fAg up near it ;D
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: d s windowcleaning on March 04, 2008, 10:32:51 pm
What about long term use?
in what way ? , i will be using it all the time
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: Pj on March 04, 2008, 10:40:20 pm
What about long term use?
in what way ? , i will be using it all the time

On customer's plastic frames mainly...

Not on our equipment, as we can just replace if things go wrong
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: d s windowcleaning on March 04, 2008, 10:46:53 pm
What about long term use?
in what way ? , i will be using it all the time

On customer's plastic frames mainly...

Not on our equipment, as we can just replace if things go wrong
i dont think it will be a problem mate isopropanol is used on all types of plastics , electric circuit boards , flat screen tv screens believe me before i took the plunge i did a lot of research into this product and all i can say is thanks nwh for bringing to light such a great addative  :)
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: macmac on March 04, 2008, 10:55:30 pm
Where can you buy ISO ?

Tony
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: NWH on March 04, 2008, 10:56:58 pm
I`ll try and dig out the details for tomorrow.
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: d s windowcleaning on March 04, 2008, 10:58:24 pm
maplin do it £10.99 per ltr you can get it cheaper on e-bay
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 04, 2008, 11:04:08 pm
Or eBay, ever so slightly cheaper

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPA-Isopropyl-Alcohol-Isopropanol-Pure-1LIT_W0QQitemZ310027812922QQihZ021QQcategoryZ104233QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Quote
Uses include

    * Cleaning and de-greasing electrical and PC components
    * Other Electrical uses include :
    * PC CPU - HEATSINKS - OVERCLOCKERS ESSENTIALS
    * MAGNETIC TAPE HEADS - PCBs - THERMAL GREASE - ARCTIC SILVER
    * MONITORS AND FLAT PANELS
    * Removing sticky labels and glue
    * A Disinfectant for food preparation surfaces, table tops, counters, bars and other hard surfaces.
    * Antiseptic and antibacterial agent.
    * A  general cleaner – excellent for cleaning glass & lenses. Can be used to clean virtually any surface. Removes light grease, oils, dirt, food stains etc. Evaporates quickly and leaves surface squeaky clean.
    * A specialist cleaner – for computer equipment, electronic devices, contact pins, floppy disk drive heads, lenses of LASERS on optical disc drives (DVD,CD), removes thermal paste of CPUs. Cleans printer heads including Thermal Transfer.
    * A sterilizer – For sterilising hands when preparing food or  for medical personnel working in surgeries, clinics,  First Aid rooms, Nursing Homes, Hospitals etc.
    * Sterilizing utensils, equipment etc eg acupuncturists needles, hairdressers combs etc.
    * An Anti-Foamer and foam inhibitor.
    * Can be mixed with fragrances to make airfreshners and deodorants..
    * Can be used as a Deodoriser for spraying into shoes to eliminate odours.
    * Used to make Rinse agents for Dishwashers.
    * A solvent for diluting lacquers, PVC adhesives, dyes and printing inks.
    * A graffiti remover for removing inks, markers, lipstick etc.
    * A Deicer for locks and windscreens
    * Add to Windscreen washer reservoir for a spotless windscreen every time.
    * Antifreeze.
    * A fuel additive for dissolving water or ice in fuel lines
    * Cosmetics – hand lotions, deodorants, aftershaves
    * Body Rub – relieves muscle stiffness.

I'd say upvc frames are okay, and at 0.05%?  ;D  ;)
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: macmac on March 04, 2008, 11:04:29 pm
maplin do it £10.99 per ltr you can get it cheaper on e-bay

I used this stuff regularly when i worked at stocksbridge steel works (corus), it was used in the prep of test samples. we got it in 25ltr barrels, if only i'd known then i could have stock-piled some! ;)

Tony
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on March 04, 2008, 11:05:03 pm
i got a price from a print supply company ,worked out at around 50 quid for 25 ltrs but 10 pound of that was delivery as order was less than 100 quid ,company is called ultrachem...but there is lots of other print supply places..personally i am going to another printers i know where they use it in bulk (220 ltr drums)and get em to fill a 25 ltr barrell ;D
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: charlie2 on March 05, 2008, 08:56:36 am
You can get it on ebay 27.99 for 15 lts ---- 5 lts for 12.99
think i will get some and give it a try.
regards chris
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: steve jamieson on March 05, 2008, 09:39:49 am
3m surface cleaner is isopropyl used by double glazing installers
to clean windows and conservatories  after install ,
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 05, 2008, 09:56:18 am
You can get it on ebay 27.99 for 15 lts ---- 5 lts for 12.99
think i will get some and give it a try.
regards chris


Link?
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: David Seaman on March 05, 2008, 12:40:18 pm
£31.45 delivered for 15 ltrs of 97% pure from here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPA-isopropanol-isopropyl-alcohol-Pure-99-7-15Litre_W0QQitemZ200204683263QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43015QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That works out to just under £2.10 per litre. Not sure if being 97% as opposed to 100% pure makes a difference though.

DJ
Title: Re: Why use Isopropanol?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 06, 2008, 12:20:53 am
Hm, 97% pure isn't 000 TDS I guess? Would be a bit hesitant to try that out.