IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

[roushstage2]

If you make the mistake of doing this as I did, go pick up some denatured alcohol (the correct alcohol product to use) to fix the problem. Works wonders!

I had wiped the window and wiper blades down with isopropyl alcohol to clean 'em before I put two coats of Rain-X on before all of this rain. Bad move. The Rain-X didn't work for beans, and the wipers were chattering and streaking.

I went and picked up some denatured alcohol today. I wiped the window and blades down with it, full-strength, since it was sprinkling when I did so. I then mixed it with hot water, per the directions, to make a window cleaner. I took that, a spray bottle with plain hot water and Rain-X up to the car wash to use the bay. Dried the window. Cleaned it and the wiper blades again with the glass cleaner mix. Applied two coats of Rain-X and let it dry for a bit while I was checking the oil, tossing any garbage from the car out and filling the washer fluid reservoir up with distilled water and Rain-X additive. Misted the window with the plain hot water and wiped it off with a paper towel. What a thing of beauty. All I got on the drive home was mist from the car in front of me, but once I hit highway speed, the window had no water on it!

Moral of the story is: make sure you use the correct product!

[rcktpwrd]

Re: IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

Ahh yes, Rain-X when applied correctly is a thing of beauty!

[cnfowler]

Re: IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

Rain-X is awesome, and I've been using it for years. However, recently I've been using Ultimate Quik Wax and it has worked really well. I don't know if I'll go back to Rain-X on my personal vehicles.


Colin

[Mike Phillips]

Re: IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

If you make the mistake of doing this as I did, go pick up some denatured alcohol (the correct alcohol product to use) to fix the problem. Works wonders!

I had wiped the window and wiper blades down with Isopropyl alcohol to clean 'em


I went and picked up some denatured alcohol today.

So why is denatured alcohol preferred over Isopropyl alcohol?

[roushstage2]

Re: IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

I have read in a few places that the diluted IPA you buy tends to leave a residue. This is what causes the problem, not the IPA itself. Stoner's Glass Cleaner and Windex, both contain IPA, but I doubt it is the diluted stuff you and I go and buy at the local store which seems to be the problem. I did try 91%, and I still had a problem.

The other thing I read though, was about someone who worked in a glass factory. They used either Sprayway Glass Cleaner, or denatured alcohol for the tough stuff. I have seen other sites about automotive glass, which recommend denatured alcohol over IPA.

Denatured alcohol says specifically on the can that it is made to clean glass, whereas IPA does not. Denatured alcohol is used in the production of rubber (wiper blades). Most windshield cleaners, de-icers, glass cleaners and so on use denatured alcohol. It is also in Rain-X. Rain-X uses it, supposedly, as a type a surface cleaner while you are applying it. Sort of like the mild cleaners in NXT to help it bond to the paint better. Everywhere I look though, it's denatured alcohol.

I have yet to pinpoint the exact cause by looking about, but I have had it happen before when I wiped the blades down with IPA. Just to be clear, this is on three different cars all on separate occasions. This last time just prompted me to find out what was going on. Before, I ended up replacing the blades because it drove me nuts, and the problem was gone. The only thing I did to those blades was wiping them down with IPA.

I did find this...

Methanol has 1 carbon atoms, 3 hydrogen atoms, and an -OH (alcohol functionality).
Ethanol has 2 carbon atoms, 5 hydrogens, and an -OH attached to one of the carbons.
Iso-Propanol has 3 carbon atoms, 8 hydrogens, and an -OH attached to the second carbon in the chain. The -OH is "like" HOH, which is water, so it is extremely soluble in water. The carbons are "like" the solvents in paints, oils, and grease, and cause the alcohols to be soluable in them to varying degrees.

Methanol is used in windshield washer fluid to cut road film on the windshield and to prevent the washer fluid from freezing. Washer fluid is water with methanol added.

Ethanol is derived most often from the fermentation of biomass (starches and sugars) and is consumable. Since the government wants to tax everything that is enjoyable or sinful, you get to pay taxes on a "proof gallon", which is actually twice an actual gallon. 80 proof alcohol is 40% by volume. Denaturing grain alcohol is a way to make this useful solvent unfit for consumption and to avoid having to pay taxes on it. Even so, it is strictly regulated and inspected by the government.

Isopropanol has a larger carbon chain and is different in that the alcohol functionality (-OH) is in the middle of the molecule instead of on the end. You remember the smell from doctors' offices where it is used to sterilize instruments and your skin before you get poked. It is toxic to drink. It reacts differently than both methanol and ethanol to various organic compounds (paints, oils, adhesives, plastics).

I hope this isn't too much information, but they are significantly different and therefore uniquely versatile.

[TOGWT]

Re: IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

Denatured alcohol the main additive is (10%) methanol, giving rise to the term 'methylated spirit' (used as a fuel for camping stoves). Other typical additives include isopropyl alcohol (IPA) acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).

Not something you'd want on a paint surfaces

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is readily available and like acetone, it dissolves a wide range of non-polar compounds. It is also relatively non-toxic and evaporates quickly. Thus it is used widely as a solvent and as a cleaning fluid

Paint safe and will evaporate oils etc form wax / polish, which makes it suitable as a paint prep before polymer sealants etc

[roushstage2]

Re: IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

Since it is used as paint thinner, I don't think it would be the best thing to wipe your paint down with. I'm talking about glass and wiper blades

Heck, here are the instructions for use:

Klean-Strip® Denatured Alcohol cleans glass and is used as a fuel for marine stoves.

Directions for use
Glass Cleaner: Denatured Alcohol is a superior, fast-evaporating cleaner. Dilute one part Denatured Alcohol per label instructions, to clean glass. Fuel: Produces a hot, clean, odorless and smokeless flame in alcohol stoves. Always follow appliance instructions directed on the label. Do not use for any other purpose. Do not spread this product over large surface areas because fire and safety risks will increase dramatically. The “Directions for Use” are included to help you better understand our product. However, they do not provide you with all of the information needed to use the product safely and effectively. Prior to using any of our products, you should always read the entire label including all cautions.

It is made to clean glass. It does it well.

[Sandstone]

Re: IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

Denatured alcohol the main additive is (10%) methanol, giving rise to the term 'methylated spirit' (used as a fuel for camping stoves). Other typical additives include isopropyl alcohol (IPA) acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).

Not something you'd want on a paint surfaces

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is readily available and like acetone, it dissolves a wide range of non-polar compounds. It is also relatively non-toxic and evaporates quickly. Thus it is used widely as a solvent and as a cleaning fluid

Paint safe and will evaporate oils etc form wax / polish, which makes it suitable as a paint prep before polymer sealants etc

Beat me to it TOGWT . Denatured alcohol is basically ethanol that has been contaminated (or denatured) so that it burns clean but is poisonous so you cannot drink it. Lots of "good" stuff in it. Don't go drinking IPA either.

[dave welling]

Re: IPA on window and wiper blades? No, no, no...

WiperSwyper is a new product that abrades the side of the wiper blade, removing hardened rubber and exposing fresh rubber. It extends the life of the blade and stops smearing. It is only available on the website WiperSwyper.com right now. It should be on jbtoolsales.com in a few days.