Denatured alcohol vs. isoprop.

GameyMcGame

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I cant find high % rubbing alcohol (70% is the highest I can find) so I grabbed some denatured alcohol at HD...

Before I try cleaning anything (specifically a non mylared playfield) with it, I wanted to ask you guys if it will be too harsh etc for the job...

Thoughts?
 
I get my 99% right at the local Fred Meyer store. It's located in the first aid section right next to the lower (watered down) grade alcohols.

You should be able to get the 99% at Rite-Aid (or other drug stores), but you have to go to the pharmacy to buy it.

One day I had to buy it at Rite-Aid and they did indeed have it.
 
Most drug stores carry 91% isopropyl.
Denatured is usually >99% ethyl, with a dash of methyl and some other nastiness to take the fun out of it. Ethyl alcohol is a stronger solvent than isopropyl alcohol... so I'd be very careful with it.
 
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I specifically bought 99% at Rite-Aid that one time.

Typical varieties at stores are 70%, 91%, and 99%.

Like I said my local Fred Meyer (a regional chain big box store particular to Oregon and Washington states) always carries the 99% right along with 91% and 70%.
 
Most drug stores carry 91% isopropyl.
Denatured is usually >99% ethyl, with a dash of methyl and some other nastiness to take the fun out of it.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), the same product found in alcoholic drinks (and now gasoline). It is "denatured" by adding phenolphthalein, which acts as a very powerful laxative and will also make you feel quite sick. Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is a byproduct of manufacturing.

If it's just drinking alcohol, why denature it? Primarily, to prevent you from buying it for $9/gallon instead liquor which is heavily taxed. Secondarily, to keep you from consuming the trace amounts of methanol (which is toxic) that would have been removed during the production of ethanol for consumption.

FWIW, people going blind from moonshine is a result of methanol (and other crap) in the finished product.
 
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Denatured alcohol is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), the same product found in alcoholic drinks (and now gasoline). It is "denatured" by adding phenolphthalein, which acts as a very powerful laxative and will also make you feel quite sick. Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is a byproduct of manufacturing.

If it's just drinking alcohol, why denature it? Primarily, to prevent you from buying it for $9/gallon instead liquor which is heavily taxed. Secondarily, to keep you from consuming the trace amounts of methanol (which is toxic) that would have been removed during the production of ethanol for consumption.

FWIW, people going blind from moonshine is a result of methanol (and other crap) in the finished product.

I'm not sure what the purpose of your post is (he's not planning on drinking it....), but there is some misinformation there that should be cleared up. Methanol is not a byproduct of proper ethanol production, and it is added deliberately to produce "denatured" alcohol (sometimes up to 10%). And phenolphthalein is not always an additive. There are much worse additives... I recall having a bottle that warned it could have trace amounts of benzene. :eek:
 
I cant find high % rubbing alcohol (70% is the highest I can find) so I grabbed some denatured alcohol at HD...

Before I try cleaning anything (specifically a non mylared playfield) with it, I wanted to ask you guys if it will be too harsh etc for the job...

Thoughts?

If you place any value on the playfield, I would recommend against it. Denatured alcohol can attack some paints very quickly. You should be able to find higher alcohol content isopropyl at you r local Wal-Mart. That's where I get my 91% stuff.
 
I'm not sure what the purpose of your post is

Just commenting on denatured alcohol in case he can't get what he needs and has to substitute. The rest is in case someone decides to try and save a few bucks.
Methanol is not a byproduct of proper ethanol production

Actually, it is if distillation is involved.

it is added deliberately to produce "denatured" alcohol (sometimes up to 10%). And phenolphthalein is not always an additive. There are much worse additives... I recall having a bottle that warned it could have trace amounts of benzene. :eek:

I was not aware of that. Preventing consumption by adding poisons is pretty screwed up....
 
They put that shit in our Mountain Dew, too:eek:

Edward

Wow... seems there are minute traces of benzene in many beverages:

http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/...on/ChemicalContaminants/Benzene/ucm055815.htm

Apparently it comes from adding benzoates and ascorbic acid. Great... now something else to look out for!

[edit] Check out the last section of this: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/...on/ChemicalContaminants/Benzene/ucm055131.htm
Looks like the testing procedure may be flawed.
 
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If you place any value on the playfield, I would recommend against it. Denatured alcohol can attack some paints very quickly. You should be able to find higher alcohol content isopropyl at you r local Wal-Mart. That's where I get my 91% stuff.

I will second that advice. The only time I have ever lost a significant amount of artwork from a playfield was using denatured alcohol on a High Speed. I was on bare wood before I knew what happened. Stick to the 91% IPA from the drug store.

John
 
Thanks guys. Third store looking for this stuff and the highest I can get is 91. I tried a little and wow, this stuff really cleans. Cannot believe I'm on my, maybe 12th through pin cleaning and I'm finally coming around.
 
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