[sanlanman]

Wayner, I posted this question in the AVAHIFI preamp thread. Where do you get 99% Isopropyl Alcohol? The highest I can find is 91% in drug stores, and I fear the other 9% may be impurities taht will be left in the record groove if used in a "destatic" spray.

I have a source for filtered dionized water.

[sts9fan]

electronic supply stores will have it to wash flux from pcbs.  Also the "impurities" in 91% will mostly be water.  Chemical supply stores will also have it but not sure you can buy less then a liter.     

[Wayner]

I have to go to my local drug store and have them order it. They see me about once a year and ask if I'm still spinning records. They will get it for you, too. The brand I have is Paddock, made by Paddock labs in Minneapolis, MN.

Good luck.

I think it is illeagle to mail this crap as it is a fire hazard. That is why the drug store will have to order it (gets trucked in). Call them today, I'm sure they will have it for you in a day or two.

Wayne

[mfsoa]

Is IPA the preferred alcohol for mixing w/ water when cleaning records?

Does the alcohol/water mix make a better final rinse than watar alone?

What are good ratios for the alcohol:water?

Thanks

-Mike

[Wayner]

Mike,

I use Isopropyl Alcohol cause I wont drink that  , it's cheap, but you have to order it. Most drug stores will be more than happy to order it for you. Tell them what your doing with it. That will get a laugh.

I make the water 3 parts and the alcohol 1 part. I use reverse osmosis water, and I put the whole thing in a smallo misting type spray bottle. I mist my Dischwasher brush and give each side a clean when I'm ready to play.

When I do the major clean job (washing in the sink) I just use tap water. We have city soft water, so it's pretty clean. If you live in an area where there is lots of minerals like rust, you may want to rinse with distilled or reverse osmosis water, but i problably wouldn't unless I could see some ill effects.

WaYner

[sts9fan]

Your diluting it?  Why not just buy 70% IPA?  You are going to have the same % imputes v/v of IPA because it is made with the 99.9% stuff.  Plus this is likely diluted with WFI. 
http://www.jrsmedical.com/CLEAN_ROOM_EQUIPMENT/TEXTX3270/product.aspx

If you really want pure stuff you want HPLC grade

https://new.fishersci.com/wps/portal/PRODUCTDETAIL?LBCID=30...&productId=681231&catalogId=29103&pos=25&catCode=HC_SC&fromCat=yes&keepSessionSearchOutPut=true&brCategoryId=57472&hlpi=y&fromSearch=

Like I said the prediluted stuff is going to be diluted in better water then your RO/DI.  You could also buy LC/MS grade water.  You want >18kOhm resistance.

http://www.piercenet.com/Products/Browse.cfm?fldID=78FEF524-6AFB-4C4A-BEB5-02FEDCA7AB36
  I am not sure what you gain by controlling the stronger reagent.

[Wayner]

sts9fan,

You are way overcomplicating something really simple. First the 99% alcohol is about $6 for a years supply. It's the closest thing to full strength you can buy. This allows me to dilute it to what ever strength I want without using a calculator to figure out the ratios.

Secondly, I have heard some brands of 70% are mixed with many different things (one company was using a petroleum product). I want pure.

Third, reverse osmosis water is 99 cents a gallon at our local store. So for $7 dollars, I have record cleaning stuff for a year. It's simple, anyone can make it, you don't have to buy any elaborate stuff (and pay shipping) and you can control the mix. The alcohol in the water keeps mold and junk from growing in it, the alcohol is a surfactant and a cleaner so your records get clean and misting the brush (apposed to dry brushing) cleans the record surface and neutralizes static charges.

Wayner

[bricktop]

I buy it from mouser, brand of Techspray or MG chemicals.  They can ship it, just not by USPS (has to be fedex or UPS and a specially marked box).  It doesn't cost extra to ship, just options are limited a bit (must be ground shipped).  I've tried less-pure stuff from walmart before for cleaning panels and metal before painting, it will leave a residue you don't want.  Get the pure stuff for best results.

http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=isopropyl+alcohol

[bluemike]

Rexall stores in Canada carry this
That's where I got mine