where to purchase alcohol for cleaning?

[biggmann]

I am wondering where everyone purchases their alcohol for cleaning cars prior to wrapping. I was getting 99% from a vet and diluting it down to 70% but it seems the price keeps going up. What other options is there to get it?

 

[Fred Weiss]

I've been using denatured alcohol for years which has no water content and is commonly available wherever paint is sold. In addition to being a good cleaner/solvent, it is also used as shellac thinner and camping stoves. 99% alcohol is usually labeled isopropanol, is much more expensive and is generally available from chemical supply houses and some janitorial supply vendors as well. It is an excellent cleaner/degreaser and is used widely as a cleaning agent in electronics.

 

[OldPaint]

WALLY WORLD................91%...........in quarts....
http://www.walmart.com/ip/91-Isopropyl-Alcohol-First-Aid-Antiseptic-32-fl-oz/33057974

 

[GB2]

I was going to post some links but if you do a simple internet search you will come up with a variety of sources such as:

Amazon
MSC Direct
Graingers
ULine
or you can get 5 gallon containers at Production Automation Corporation (PAC) for a pretty good price

 

[jtinker]

We used to use the denatured alcohol but switched over to the 5 gallon barrels of the regular stuff simply because the denatured one was so dangerous to keep around with all the added chemicals that make it poisonous. We would be in contact with it for 90% of the shop day, cleaning everything we set down on the table so back to the standard stuff. You can get a standard 5 gallon off of ebay / amazon for around a hundred bucks.

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

The cheapest way of buying it is in 55 gallon drums from a chemical company or a company that sell to offset and lito printers.

 

[TimToad]

The cheapest way of buying it is in 55 gallon drums from a chemical company or a company that sell to offset and lito printers.

This topic has come up before and its just my opinion but if you or others insist on continuing to recommend colleagues purchase that large of quantity, it might be helpful to add that, you can buy 55 gallon drums IF and only IF you have adequate safe storage capacity for quantities this large, 55 gallon drums are very economical.

We are talking about an incredibly flammable substance being used in shops that probably if not almost assuredly have power tools, welders, etc. potentially in use on a daily basis. Its also evaporates at an amazing rate, so I'm not sure how tightly a drum can be sealed once opened, but folks might be surprised at how much disappears into thin air if not properly resealed.

We buy the 99% from Denco and while its overpriced and I've been too busy to break the simple habit of putting it on the weekly list, we'll try a few cheaper alternatives this slow season.

 

[mpn]

This topic has come up before and its just my opinion but if you or others insist on continuing to recommend colleagues purchase that large of quantity, it might be helpful to add that, you can buy 55 gallon drums IF and only IF you have adequate safe storage capacity for quantities this large, 55 gallon drums are very economical.

We are talking about an incredibly flammable substance being used in shops that probably if not almost assuredly have power tools, welders, etc. potentially in use on a daily basis. Its also evaporates at an amazing rate, so I'm not sure how tightly a drum can be sealed once opened, but folks might be surprised at how much disappears into thin air if not properly resealed.

We buy the 99% from Denco and while its overpriced and I've been too busy to break the simple habit of putting it on the weekly list, we'll try a few cheaper alternatives this slow season.

I tend to agree with this. It's all about storage and containment. We stick with sizes that fit in our flammable cabinets ( 5 gal or smaller ) Without the right precautions taken, it could end badly.

 

[TimToad]

I tend to agree with this. It's all about storage and containment. We stick with sizes that fit in our flammable cabinets ( 5 gal or smaller ) Without the right precautions taken, it could end badly.

I'd add to your comments that any shop storing large quantities of highly flammable materials should be doing Carbonite or other cloud type backups. I'd hate to save $50 on a 55 gallon drum of alcohol only to lose a lifetime's worth of computer files in a fire.

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

First off you save a lot more then just 50 bucks on 55 gallon drums. I use to have 55 gallon drums of lacquer and xylene in the same space where I did all my screen printing, nothing ever happened.

 

[TimToad]

Whatever the savings is, whatever the convenience benefits you enjoy, more power to you. I'm thrilled that you haven't had an accident or suffered a loss for any reason.

Not every post here should be viewed as a challenge or opportunity to question a point. All I said was that folks should be careful, weight the risks and balance the savings with other considerations.

I frankly don't use enough of it in a year to justify even the slightest amount of physical risk to my life's work, let alone my loved ones or employees physical safety.

I also think there are two kinds of accidents in this world. The ones prevented from happening by due diligence and proactivity and the ones waiting for the right moment to happen because a risk was ignored.

 

[biggmann]

Thanks for the info i will try a couple of the big box stores and see what I can find. The problem is im in Canada and its hard to find anything good here, seems anything they think you might have a possibility of drinking they ban or make super difficult to get.

 

[visual800]

We get it by cargo ship from china. We buy 3 tons of it at one time. We store it in an old gas tanker truck parked behind the shop.


ok for real we by it by the quart at the walmart. We dont use that much at all

 

[Gino]

For the safety reasons alone, not only should one be concerned with the storage of this product, but all of the flammable and high flash point products that are usually in most paint shops.

First, you must list ALL of your chemicals also being used... to your insurance company, your landlord and fire department..... or whoever supplies your fire extinguishers. Failure to do these three fundemantel items should not be allowed within 300 yards of another human dwelling.

I don't care how careful you think you are, accidents are called such, cause ya just never know.

Do you have eye wash stations set up ??
Do you have emergency lighting ??
Do you have emergency exit routes in plain view ??
Do you have explosive proof rooms where ALL these chemicals are stored ??
Do you have explosive proof lighting in this area ??
Are you legally setup to have large quantities of these chemical also in your shop or in your home ??

Remember, if you are set up at home with a proper license for being a commercial sign shop....... regular home owners insurance will NOT cover you, should something go wrong.

A regular homeowner may by law, have all kinds of bad chemicals and sloppy habits, but a proffessional enenvironment cannot.