The shelves are bare. Where can I get isopropyl alcohol?

[AGinVT]

My shop goes through a lot of 70% isopropyl alcohol. It is our go to in our spray bottles for a final clean on substrates and vehicles. I can't find it in stores or online since Covid19 hit. Anyone have an active source or an alternative for cleaning?

On vehicles, we typically do a clean with a mild soap/water mixture and then move to the alcohol. For signage, we use only the alcohol. We're getting pretty low, so I'm wondering if you guys have any alternatives that you like?

 

[CanuckSigns]

Check out auto stores for gasoline anti-freeze it's just 99% alcohol.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

I've seen some 50% still on the shelves. Seems there is an easy process to bring that up to 70%


https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Salt-Out/

 

[ikarasu]

In Canada we use Univar. I just ordered a big drum... All the stores here have an artificial shortage, but the big chemical suppliers only sell to businesses, so plenty of stock. It's a company that just does chemicals... We do lots of screen printing stuff, so they carry what we need even though we don't need 99% of what they offer. I'd search your area for a chemical supplier.

 

[GAC05]

Acetone will work. It is not as mild as alcohol so you have to be a little careful around plastic and not leave it to dry on painted surfaces out in the sun (wet rag - dry rag). In the paint & body shop we used it all the time for cleaning just about everything.

 

[AGinVT]

In Canada we use Univar. I just ordered a big drum... All the stores here have an artificial shortage, but the big chemical suppliers only sell to businesses, so plenty of stock. It's a company that just does chemicals... We do lots of screen printing stuff, so they carry what we need even though we don't need 99% of what they offer. I'd search your area for a chemical supplier.

I'll look into it. I just ordered some RapidPrep today to try it out, but I'll look into business direct chemical companies.

 

[AGinVT]

Acetone will work. It is not as mild as alcohol so you have to be a little careful around plastic and not leave it to dry on painted surfaces out in the sun (wet rag - dry rag). In the paint & body shop we used it all the time for cleaning just about everything.

Interesting. We usually use acetone in emergency only adhesive removals. Do you dilute it when using it for cleaning?

 

[GAC05]

Interesting. We usually use acetone in emergency only adhesive removals. Do you dilute it when using it for cleaning?

We use it straight up.

 

[ikarasu]

I'll look into it. I just ordered some RapidPrep today to try it out, but I'll look into business direct chemical companies.

Rapid prep leaves behind a film.. You're supposed to use rapid prep, then use rapid tac afterwards to clean the rapid prep away. We usually use alcohol, but sadly rapid prep by itself isn't enough - You could likely use soap + water to get it away... but if you've never used rapid prep before, just know you need to clean it off afterwards

 

[Andy D]

I have always used denatured alcohol & never had issues.

 

[Reveal1]

We use denatured alcohol. It is ethanol with de-denaturing additives such as methanol to make it toxic so kids can't drink it. It is stronger than ISO so dilute to 25/75 (glass) or 50/50 alcohol (clean) to distilled water. Buy in gallon can at Lowes for about $16.

 

[Superior_Adam]

http://www.criticalcleaning.com/products/product?Category=liquid&Item=D005

We buy 5 of the 5 gallons at a time.

 

[Ready]

My shop goes through a lot of 70% isopropyl alcohol. It is our go to in our spray bottles for a final clean on substrates and vehicles. I can't find it in stores or online since Covid19 hit. Anyone have an active source or an alternative for cleaning?

On vehicles, we typically do a clean with a mild soap/water mixture and then move to the alcohol. For signage, we use only the alcohol. We're getting pretty low, so I'm wondering if you guys have any alternatives that you like?

Tubelite has 99% alcohol in stock and you can also buy Denatured alcohol at Lowes and Home Depot.

Bob P

 

[AGinVT]

Thank you all for the tips. Much appreciated.

 

[WhiskeyDreamer]

Been using denatured alcohol for nearly 20 years. Haven't had a problem yet.

 

[Jester1167]

Just picked up the last gallon of 70% in Tractor Supply. If they have it it is in the Animal area. Wish they had 91%. It's humid in Florida and the 70% evaporates leaving the water behind.

For the past week, I have been adding 30% Acetone to stretch my supply.

 

[Joseph44708]

My shop goes through a lot of 70% isopropyl alcohol. It is our go to in our spray bottles for a final clean on substrates and vehicles. I can't find it in stores or online since Covid19 hit. Anyone have an active source or an alternative for cleaning?

On vehicles, we typically do a clean with a mild soap/water mixture and then move to the alcohol. For signage, we use only the alcohol. We're getting pretty low, so I'm wondering if you guys have any alternatives that you like?

I

My shop goes through a lot of 70% isopropyl alcohol. It is our go to in our spray bottles for a final clean on substrates and vehicles. I can't find it in stores or online since Covid19 hit. Anyone have an active source or an alternative for cleaning?

On vehicles, we typically do a clean with a mild soap/water mixture and then move to the alcohol. For signage, we use only the alcohol. We're getting pretty low, so I'm wondering if you guys have any alternatives that you like?

 

[Joseph44708]

We use alcohol in our fountain solutions for our offset presses.
I Purchase 99% isopropanol alcohol in five gallon cans from Mac Papers my paper supplier.

 

[PrintQueen]

I was able to find some isopropyl at an animal feed shop (somewhere with animal first aid products). They were able to special order 2 qts for me. Not sure if you have something of the sort near you.. it took me 13 stops (literally) before I was able to find a source.


also was able to easily find denatured alcohol in the paint section of home depot.

 

[djhotwheel]

Check your Farm/Fleet or animal supply stores. You can buy full gallons for animal care areas. The common shopper doesnt look there.