Alternatives to Isopropyl in the era of Covid-19

[brewsmith]

Isopropyl alcohol has always been my go-to cleaner for bike parts since it (was) cheap, readily available, not super toxic, played nice with nitrile gloves, and left things clean and residue-free. Since it has now become impossible to find and more critical to other applications, what are folks using?

To be clear, I still use dawn and simple green as a first step, so I am looking for something as a step for frames, drivetrain parts etc.

[Idris Icabod]

Mineral spirits. You need a hydrophobic solvent to dissolve grease. Mineral spirits is a mixture of hydrocarbons so should be ideal. Is IPA in short supply still? I work in the pharmaceutical industry and we donated all we had in house to a compounding pharmacy that turned it into hand sanitizer for first responders. It was a problem to get IPA for a few weeks but now we can order without issue.

[Blue Jays]

Store shelves across the country (very thankfully) seem to be filling once again.
I anticipate ability of factories to manufacture isopropyl alcohol 24 x 7 will result in ongoing greater supply.
Hopefully once that happens...it can continue to be your ideal "go-to" prep product.

[eddief]

gots some of this coming in the mail:

https://www.wd40.com/products/contact-cleaner/

[charliedid]

I finally found some 70% at my local inde. heath food store. I love that guy...

He charming in how pushy he is ;-)

[slowpoke]

Get a gallon from McMaster-Carr and split it with your friends:

https://www.mcmaster.com/isopropyl-alcohol/

[stephenmarklay]

Around here distilleries have been producing denatured alcohol. I have a few bottles now. But isopropyl is preferred.

[brewsmith]

I've considered using either mineral spirits or denatured alcohol but am concerned with how aggressive they might be especially in stripping decals, printing or just eating through my gloves

[rnhood]

You can get odor free mineral spirits and its weaker and should not bother decals.

[Ozz]

I usually use Zep Citrus Degreaser (https://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-1-Gal-Heavy-Duty-Citrus-Degreaser-ZUCIT128CA/203804190) in my park cyclone chain cleaner...cheap by the gallon at Home Depot


But have also had good luck with Finish Line Speed Degreaser (http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/bicycle-degreasers/speed-bike-degreaser)as well.

[Dave]

Isopropyl is a poor product for grease removal. 70% is 30% water. Use mineral spirits or camp stove fuel. Both are very mild, compared to acetone.

The last gallon of crown brand fuel I bought at Walmart only cost $8.50.

Neither of these products bothers nitrile gloves.

Acetone eats up gloves quickly.

[johnniecakes]

For paint, decals and the like I really don't have any advice. But for degreasing I use gasoline. After I am done cleaning every thing I run the dirty gas through coffee filters twice to remove any solids and then it goes in the lawn mower gas can. About 8 ounces of dirty gas to 5 gallons of clean and the mower runs fine.

[Dave]

Gasoline is the worst possible product to use - for more explosive and smells worse than any other product.

That said, I once used a few ounces in an old water bottle to clean the gunk off a new Campy chain, then put the dirty solvent in an old soup can and burned it to get rid of it.

[Veloo]

Finish Line Citrus Degreaser.

[pdonk]

For wiping a frame down - baby wipes.

Scary that they remove grease and grime as well as they do and you wipe a babies bum with them.

I even wipe my chain with one and it works well.

[FierteTi52]

I usually use Zep Citrus Degreaser (https://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-1-Gal-Heavy-Duty-Citrus-Degreaser-ZUCIT128CA/203804190) in my park cyclone chain cleaner...cheap by the gallon at Home Depot


+1 for the ZEP!

[buddybikes]

I am using this stuff now - simple green aircraft cleaner (don't think of it like your other simple green products) : https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Aircraft-Precision-Cleaner-13406/dp/B001VXU7OE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39LBOKPXZAV2Q&dchild=1&keywords=simple+green+aircraft+%26+precision+clean er&qid=1591795655&sprefix=simple+green+air%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-1

[mktng]

I usually use Zep Citrus Degreaser (https://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-1-Gal-Heavy-Duty-Citrus-Degreaser-ZUCIT128CA/203804190) in my park cyclone chain cleaner...cheap by the gallon at Home Depot



I've done the same aswell. You get a massive amount of the stuff for the price of small bike branded cleaners.

Also use it in a park chain cleaner. Usually good for several cleans. Works really well.

Diluted with water. Makes for a great cleaner for parts. With a brush or old toothbrush.

It's not hard on your skin, or bad for the environment.

[bigbill]

Another vote for odorless mineral spirits. A little on a rag cleans anything. Three parts OMS and one part synthetic motor oil makes a great chain lube/cleaner. Slather the chain and wipe it off.