avatar71

is there any reason that I cannot "wash" off my planes and heli with a spray of denatured alcohol? It really works well!!

jsn

My Feedback: (8)

Nope... I use a mix denatured and simple green myself... used it for YEARS... most of those planes are still flying after ten or more years.

John

Dsegal

The flammability warnings on the can make me nervous. Why not just get some 90% isopropyl alcohol from the drugstore? It is cheap and also works good for thinnng epoxy.

loughbd

Denatured alcohol is just ethanol cut with some methanol so it's poisonous and can't be ingested. It's no more flammable that isopropal alcohol or, for that matter, the fuel we use which is mostly methanol.

Iflyglow

My Feedback: (79)

I have been useing 1/4 denatured alcohol for years mixed with windex.

RaceCity

I just use windex, and skip the chemistry class altogether.

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

I just use Simple Green, gives the car a nice fragrance on the drive home.

RaceCity

Hey Chuck...Dollar General sells some stuff that's pretty popular around here. It's blue like windshield washer fluid, comes in a 32oz spray bottle and sells for about $1.49. Seems to take off everything except the monokote. Can't think of the name right now, but it's sorta generic sounding.

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

I'll take a look next time I stroll through $ general. I've still got a good supply of SG, BJ's sells a bulk pack that's got 2 spray bottles and something like a half gallon refill.

Dsegal

From the label on my can of denatured alcohol:

"Fuel for alcohol burning appliances" and "Flammable liquid". I wouldn't spray glow engine fuel on the surface of my plane either and think it was safe.

avatar71

understandable, I would only do it if the engine was totally cooled and powered off. I was more concerned if the alcohol would deteriorate or discolor the coverings or penetrate the wood in a negative way.

Kimhoff

My Feedback: (22)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dsegal

From the label on my can of denatured alcohol:

"Fuel for alcohol burning appliances" and "Flammable liquid". I wouldn't spray glow engine fuel on the surface of my plane either and think it was safe.



What do you think you engine is doing when you fly??

avatar71

i think the concern was for a fire breaking out when sprayed all over the plane...

Sport_Pilot

If well diluted in water it would be hard to ignite, if even flammable. But would still help to cut the oil.

jessiej

Obviously one should observe similar precautions with alcohol as with any other flamible solvent such as paint thinner, laquer thinner, MEK, acetone, etc. In the presence of a modicum of common sense use of denatured alcohol poses little undue risk.

loughbd

When was the last time you saw glow fuel catch fire when squirted on a hot engine. Maybe they should outlaw 151 proof rum as it's 75% ethyl alcohol and burns quite readily. About the same percentage of alcohol as Fox fuel with 25% oil. The chance of any readily available alcohol catching fire when used as a cleaner is about zip. Even 100% pure alcohol. I use pure methanol as a cleaner all the time. I clean my airplanes with it about once a month. It does a better job that Formula 409 which is what I usually use. I also use it to clean engines. I have squirted it on a hot engine more than once with no adverse results.

People find danger where it seldom exists. That's what keeps the EPA going.

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

I use denatured alcohol all the time, at the field, in the shop, no problems. It evaporates rather quickly. I keep a spray bottle in the shop and use it as a hand cleaner, or spray it on a rag, use it to thin or clean up epoxy. I wouldn't recommend smoking while using it, and if you soak a rag, spread it out to allow the alcohol to evaporate when done, but it's a lot safer than gasoline.
I buy the cheap version of "orange cleaner" or Windex at the dollar store and cut it 1:1 with denatured alcohol to use as a plane cleaner, no problem with any painted finishes, fabric or plastic covering.

loughbd

Constant bearing and decreasing range??? I'd turn and very soon. Either that, or jump overboard.

NM2K

My Feedback: (14)

---------------


Your glow two-stroke engine throws unburnt methanol all over your model while running. One of the reasons that these engines are on the EPA's s**t list is because two-strokes are sloppy and inefficient.

jessiej

The most dangerous family of flammables seems to bear names like "Vodka". Bourbon", Gin", "Tequila", and the like. They burn as readily as denatured alcohol, but seem to be at the root of many more accidents.

jess

Ernie Misner

The idea of using it all the time kind of bothers me from the "breathing it" standpoint. Also using it for hand cleaner means that some of it is getting into your system through the skin. These things are hard on the liver. Maybe I just worry too much!

Thanks,

Ernie

Iflyglow

My Feedback: (79)

Again, denatured alocohol mixed with windex works awesome at cleaning glow fuel residue off of a plane. What do you think is the major ingredient in windsheild washer fluid is (menthanol). Is that not the same as the major ingredient in our fuel.
Maybe some of you should take a chemistry class once in a while.
You remove ca from covering with acetone, that is a hell of alot tougher chemical than alocohol, and it does not hurt the covering.

Iflyglow

My Feedback: (79)

Denatured alcohol starts out as ethanol alcohol, but denatured to keep people from drinking it.

loughbd

What is "menthanol"? For that matter what is "ounce in awhile"? Looks like someone else should take chemistry ONCE in awhile and maybe english too. Hmmmmm?

My window washing fluid has no flammable warning nor poison warning on the label like methanol would have. Also It doesn't burn in the slightest. I just tried it.

IronCross

One has to wonder if it is possible to but the "nature" back into the denatured alky