Just tried Boots, no luck...
Bike Forum
[closed]
So where do you get isopropyl alcohol from?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Maplin
Posted 2 years ago # -
is this for cleaning brake discs?
just use methsPosted 2 years ago # -
Ebay.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yep, disc rotors. Is white spirit just as good? Got lashings of that stinky stuff...
Posted 2 years ago # -
You'll need to ask at the pharmacy. If Boots can't/won't, try a smaller chemists. They can all get it, it's just a matter of whether they like the cut of your jib. Apparently it's used in the production of some narcotics, so they're a bit cautious to whom they'll hand it over to.
Maplins sell a spray version (IPA 170), but I haven't used it myself.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Er, I just saw some in Hobbycraft in the cake making section, actually. Don't ask.
Posted 2 years ago # -
White spirit leaves an oily residue so don't use that.
Meths stinks for ages but works better than nothing.
I get my IPA from the pub
Posted 2 years ago # -
Washing up liquid will do just as good a job and is far less nasty in terms of hand damage...
Posted 2 years ago # -
White spirit leaves an oily residue so don't use that.
That explains a lot then....
Posted 2 years ago # -
Just use brake and clutch cleaner. I don't see why people go to the effort of finding IPA when you can buy a can of brake and clutch cleaner in any car spares place for naff all.
Don't use carb cleaner. Your brakes don't work afterwards.
Posted 2 years ago # -
local chemist doesn't like the cut of my jib, wouldn't order it for me.
Wouldn't order me some syringes for reverse bleeding my brakes either.
buggers.Posted 2 years ago # -
Soapy water.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Donk, Your chemist need to have a word with itself. syringes without needles, what's the harm and IPA, there's hundreds of uses for that.
I get mine from Ebay, couple of quid 1/2litre of the stuff. use it loads.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I got mine for a fiver (500ml) from our local Lloyds pharmacy. Co-operative pharmacy "don't stock it anymore".
Posted 2 years ago # -
Wouldn't order me some syringes for reverse bleeding my brakes either.
You can get them for cheap on ebay as well.
Posted 2 years ago # -
If you're still looking, Halfords do a can of electrical contact cleaner, really good stuff on brakes etc. Been using it for ages.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I got the spray stuff from Maplin & although it's pricier than a bottle of it, it's quite handy for spraying on stuff.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Is using acetone (aka. the missus nail varnish remover) a no no ?
Posted 2 years ago # -
As already stated ebay, can buy it by the litre for very little money
Posted 2 years ago # -
i got mine from the local Carbon fibre and fibreglass suppliers, a litre was under a fiver and no questions asked etc. other than the look i got in the local chemist when i asked for some, 'they use that to make Bombs, so we dont stock it any more'!! yeah cause i'm likely to do that hey! (in there a lot for my prescriptions and they know me quite well!)
only got it to stick my phone in after i dropped it in a mug of tea! damn usefull for the bike though!!!Posted 2 years ago # -
Take care not to use iso-propanol on titanium, it is possible that it will cause stress corrosion cracking even at room temperature.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Another vote for brake and clutch cleaner. Only clean the brakes when they are obviously contaminated though, they work best when just left alone.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Macavity - Member
Take care not to use iso-propanol on titanium, it is possible that it will cause stress corrosion cracking even at room temperature.I think that unless you've got your frame full of high-pressure isopropanol you'll be fine.
Maplin do 500ml bottles as well as the sprays.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Another vote for ebay, you won't get better value anywhere else.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Just get some brake cleaner. Dare I say it from HALFORDS!
Posted 2 years ago # -
IPA you say - want a tanker full??
70pence a litre to you good people 
Posted 2 years ago # -
the Bay of E
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=isopropyl+&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Posted 2 years ago # -
timmys -
Is using acetone (aka. the missus nail varnish remover) a no no ?Yep, because nail varnish remover also contains moisturisers.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ask nicely at a local printers, a lot of them use it on their printing presses.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Brake & clutch cleaner here.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I used to get mine in a dropper bottle at a local independent chemists, back when I used it a lot to keep cassette (tape) decks clean of ferrous oxide deposits. Mind, it helped that my mum was a pharmacist there. (-:
These days, I get aerosols of the stuff from work. We use it along with compressed for cleaning the ends of optic fibre cables.
Posted 2 years ago # -
GTDave - Member
timmys -
Is using acetone (aka. the missus nail varnish remover) a no no ?
Yep, because nail varnish remover also contains moisturisers.Yeah, I took one look at the ingredients list on the bottle and decided it was not going to be one of my better ideas to go ahead with!
Posted 2 years ago # -
surely thinners or if desperate a bit of petrol would do?
its just to break down any oily deposits on the rotors, no?Posted 2 years ago # -
surely thinners or if desperate a bit of petrol would do?
its just to break down any oily deposits on the rotors, no?The benefit of isopropyl alcohol is the it dries without residue. It's a handy thing to have around, but washing up liquid rinsed away with boiling water will get disc just as clean. An advantage of IpA is that you don't need much of it, so no swilling water/solvents around in the vicinity of wheel bearings.
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
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