What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Or more to the point where can I get some? As my dad needs some to clean part of his bike frame to stick on some protective Carbon Fiber kick plates.
He got the plates from the states and it say that it is imperative that you use Rubbing Alcohol mixed with water 70% :scratch:
Is there any sort of silimular product over here in the UK he can use?

Thank you in advance for any helpfull info. ;)

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Isn't that just very strong ethanol?

Edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubbing_alcohol

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

If its just for de-greasing Rich, you can use Nail Varnish Remover, Surgical Spirit or something similar... I use Meths, it did the trick ;)

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

can you buy Ethanol from the chemist? or Tesco's ?

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Cheers will let him know Bud ;) and thank you to Law.;)

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

yeah, wikipedia says

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Theres also white spirit or turpentine substitute - £1.60 for 2 litres from Wickes.

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

just add tonic, ice & lemon

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

i know regular isopropyl alcohol works a s a good cleaner we use it on aircraft to clean parts all the time.

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

I bring it from Barbados. So sad I know, but it doesn't count against my customs limit on real alcohol AFAIK :shock:

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

It's not know as super clean is it? I'll ask some of the RAF lads today...

Cheers everyone for the help.

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Isopropyl alcohol is rubbing alcohol. Surgical wipes contain the same stuff.

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Just to clarify;

Methylated spirits is ethanol (common question in the lab: is meths methanol or ethanol?). Othernames for isopropyl alcohol are propan-2-ol. methylated spirits (meths) would clean up stuff nicely, you can get that in a hardware shop

Matt

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Problem with meths is that it leaves a residue. ISP alcohol doesn't.

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Like alpinestarhero says, meths is ethanol, but deliberately contaminated with methanol which is highly poisonous, carcinogenic even. Ethanol is drinking alcohol but 100%, whereas "spirits" are about 40%. The methanol is added to stop you drinking the "spirit", hence 'methylated spirits'.

I definitely wouldn't use nail varnish remover as it is acetone and will dissolve plastic.

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

meths also has loadsa other crap in it, hence the blue colour, which is probably the source of the residue scoobs? When the alcohol has evaporated?

I just read it on a bottle in wilkinsons today, so figured that was the reason.

Matt

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

Dammit, a topic I know a bit about and the question has already been answered.
I have a 5l canister of anhydrous (or very nearly, anyway) isopropyl alcohol under my sink.

The reason for meths, is as said, so you don't drink it, otherwise we'd have to pay absurd amounts of duty. Not sure what the percentage is on 100% by volume (not that ethanol can be 100% by volume once exposed to air)

Re: What is Rubbing Alcohol ?
 

what is rubbing alcohol?

hmm....not sure - is it the same as polishing off your beer?!?!:D badoom-ching!

sorry.....where's me coat? taxiiiiiiiii!