denatured vs isopropyl alcohol

[phez]

I am cleanig some Aluminum parts getting them ready to glue. The glue specifies to clean the parts with isopropyl alcohol. I have some denatured alcohol sitting on my shelf. Will that work the same way for this?

 

[Forestmoonstudio]

Denatured might have some oil in it. It is also used as stove fuel.

 

[DL 44 Blaster]

I"ve wondered this myself. What I have had a problem with is that denatured will attack some finishes be they paint, clear, plastic, whatever. It can be problematic. I shy away from it on finishes now and use isopropyl just about always. If you're prepping a metal surface, I've never once had a problem with it.

Hope that helps :confused

 

[JimShine]

Denatured alcohol is ethanol with some trace amounts of keytone solvents in it. It is the thinning agent used for shellac.

 

[SurferGeek]

Denatured alcohol should only be used for cleaning or fuel purposes. It's a ethanol based product with other additives that make it poisonous such as methanol and acetone. Denatured alcohol is also dyed to differentiate it from alcohol that is safe for use on your skin such as Isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol (or Rubbing alcohol) which is almost pure ethanol and may have some human safe additives such as perfumes or oils like Witch Hazel.

 

[robn1]

I clean with alcohol swabs, squares of gauze soaked in isopropyl alcohol. I use it to clean parts before gluing and painting, and to clean oil from my fingers before handling parts. It'll clean epoxy from your fingers too. I probably use them more than most diabetics :lol

 

[exoray]

I would not used the commercial 'denatured' alcohol due to other additives as said, but you can get a bottle of Everclear if it's legal in your area

Isopropyl is so easy to source and cheap though that it's probably the best choice, and at least by me a few places carry 99% vs the normal 70-92% you see at Walmart... 99% is additive free and doesn't leave the 'white' film behind...

 

[hobbitbreath]

Bottle of isopropyl is only about 6 bucks at walmart btw.