Types of Alcohol (non-drinking) you use?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’m not too knowledgeable in the type of alcohol (rubbing, denatured, diluted, % concentration, etc., etc.) to use in given situations. I know this forum has referred to the use in many projects including painting, cleaning, weathering, etc. but I’m ready to sort it out. Maybe you could help me by summarizing what type of alcohol you use for modeling and for what applications.

Thanks for helping me.

Hal

2

I use 90% alcohol (available from Wal-Mart) as a general paint stripper for loco shells and rolling stock. Being that I live in a small trailer, I have to do this outside because of the fumes.

3

I use isopropyl alcohol, otherwise known as rubbing alcohol.

Great as a wetting agent with water (3:1 ratio) and i also use it in my CMX Clean machine.

Ive also found that the areosole (sp?) cans of carburetor cleaner are great for cleaning air brush’s!

4

I too use 90% Isopropyl alcohol (91% to be exact), but I only use it to clean wheels and occasionally in a paint wash to weather rolling stock.

5

As others have stated, use 91% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as a paint stripper.

Use any isopropyl (50%, 70% or 91%) as a wetting agent for scenery glue. Also use it as a thinner for water based paints such as Tamiya or modelflex. Better than water for clean up since it breaks the surface tension.

Put some on a rag or paper towel and place of the rails to clean a loco’s wheels.

Also good for cleaning tools.

jktrains

6

Dead on. BUT please note that the fumes will explode if subject to a spark. It will take a BIG spark but can happen. I use 90% in a ultrasonic cleaner for paint stripping. Also using 70% with india ink for a wash. Just watch for the flash pont since this burn CLEAR with no flame.

7

Thanks Everyone! In summarizing the replies, isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) is used in modeling for:

Paint stripping (90% concentration)

Air brush cleaning

Cleaning wheels (90%)

Wetting agent with water for scenery glue (50%) (70%) (90%) 3:1 ratio

Paint wash (70%)

Thinning paint

CAUTION: spark scan ignite the fumes flash point so ventilate.

90% alcohol is really 91%

----Hal

8

Thought i’d better point out that the ratio for use as a wetting agent is 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol not the other way round!!!